Float to Live: Help us share this lifesaving message

This year’s campaign will focus on the story of Katie and Will, who floated to live before being rescued by RNLI lifeguards at Borth beach in Wales.  

We know the advice helps save lives – Katie and Will’s story is now one of around 50 cases we are aware of where the float technique has helped save people’s lives – but, worryingly, our research shows that public awareness of Float to Live advice is declining. So, we need to work hard to keep sharing this lifesaving message with as many people as possible. 

Katie and Will were in the sea at Borth beach in Wales in June 2022, when they were knocked off their feet by a large wave and pulled around 40 metres out to sea by a rip current. They had been between the red and yellow flags on a lifeguarded beach, but were quickly swept away. They tried swimming towards the shore but couldn’t make any progress against the strong current and they were being pushed under the water by waves. 

Katie says: ‘After the wave went over us, we couldn’t get away, it was pulling us out and the shore was getting further away. Being pushed under by the water wore me out – every time I got back up, the waves would push me down again. It was like being in a washing machine. All we could do was fight enough to breathe.’ 

The couple were becoming exhausted and feared for their lives, when Katie remembered the float to live advice she had seen on a poster at the beach entrance. She shouted to Will to try and float. Floating helped the couple regain their breath and keep their heads above water until the lifeguards reached them and took them to safety.   

Katie continues: ‘I was running out of energy to tread water – I was racking my brain for ways not to die, then I remembered I’d seen a sign with the float to live advice. Whoever put that sign at the beach entrance is a hero.  

‘I was exhausted by the time we were rescued. The lifeguards had been struggling against the conditions and I was worried about what would happen if they couldn’t reach us. But when they started getting nearer, I started to hope we would be alright. I don't remember much of the ride back – by then I was exhausted. When I got out of the sea, I couldn't walk unaided. 

‘I don't think I would have lasted without floating – the float to live technique really did help to save me.’  

Katie and Will also express immense gratitude to the two RNLI lifeguards – Jack Rees and James Cowan – who rescued them. 

Katie says: ‘We wouldn’t be here without those lifeguards. I know I was close to drowning by the time they got to us.  I fully believe that if it weren't for them, we'd have drowned.’

You can see the Katie and Will recounting their story in this campaign film, along with Tirion Dowsett from the RNLI Water Safety team explaining the float to live technique and demonstrating it in the sea.

Float messaging

If you find yourself in difficulty in the water, Float to Live: 

• Tilt your head back with your ears submerged.  
• Relax and try to breathe normally.  
• Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat.   
• It’s fine if your legs sink, we all float differently.  
• Practise floating in a local pool if you can.  

If you see someone in trouble at the coast:  

• Call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.  
• Tell the person to relax and float on their back.
• Throw something buoyant to help them stay afloat.  

It only takes one conversation to help save a life, so we’re calling on you – our volunteers and staff – to help share this lifesaving message far and wide. Please share this story with your friends, family and networks today - you might even help save a life yourself!

For information about Float to Live, including more campaign content to share, go to RNLI.org/float.