St Bees RNLI urges beachgoers to stay safe as heatwave hits Cumbria

• With the Met Office forecasting several days of 25°C+ heat, the charity is reminding people that warm weather increases the risk of drowning — especially for those who aren't prepared.

Every summer, RNLI volunteers respond to a spike in incidents as people head to the coast to cool off. This weekend the beach is expected to be busy, St Bees crew is asking everyone to take a few moments to plan ahead and share potentially life-saving safety advice.

'We want everyone to enjoy the coast – but please do it safely,' said Joe Raymond Press Officer from St Bees RNLI.

'The sea can still be dangerously cold, even on a hot day, and cold water shock is a real threat. If you or someone else gets into trouble, knowing what to do could save a life.'

Key safety advice for this weekend:

• St Bees is a non-lifeguarded beach, so check tide times and avoid going in alone.

Float to Live: If you get into difficulty in the water:

• Tilt your head back with ears submerged
• Relax and breathe slowly
• Use gentle hand and leg movements to stay afloat
• It's okay if your legs sink – we all float differently
• Once calm, call for help or swim to safety

If you see someone else in trouble:

• Call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard
• Tell them to Float to Live
• Throw them something that floats.

• Drowning risk is five times higher when temperatures are at or above 25°C, when compared with 10 degrees
• Water temperatures remain much colder than air temperatures
• Many students are celebrating the end of exams with trips to the coast.

For more safety tips, visit rnli.org/safety

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.