The RNLI is calling for families to stay safe at the coast as new figures show the charity’s lifeguards saved 55 lives last summer including 8 in the combined North and East regions.
July 25th marks the third World Drowning Prevention Day and with school children across the UK enjoying the first week of their summer holidays already, the RNLI is reminding people how to stay safe while enjoying at the coast.
Sadly, days out can turn to tragedy with RNLI lifeguards aiding 1,563 people last summer – including 802 children and 245 teenagers - during 1,373 incidents attended in the North and East region.
Nick Ayers, water safety expert, said:
‘Now the weather is warming up we expect to see a big increase in visitors to UK coastlines and unfortunately this does mean there is likely to be an increase in the number of incidents in the sea.
‘Many of the incidents our lifeguards attend during the school holidays involve children and teenagers and we would urge everyone – but families in particular – to be aware of the risks and know what to do in an emergency.
‘Our main advice is to visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags. RNLI lifeguards will be patrolling around 245 beaches this summer to offer advice on how to stay safe and they are also there to help anyone who gets into trouble.
‘We want people to enjoy the coast but urge everyone to think about their own safety, take time to familiarise yourself with our advice and to share this with your friends and family.’
There were 226 deaths in the UK from accidental drownings in 2022, across inland and coastal locations. 41 of these were in July and 44 in August – more than twice the number than in any other month. Of the people who died 40 per cent had no intention of entering the water.
The third World Drowning Prevention Day follows a UN resolution on drowning prevention, acknowledging the issue for the first time in its 75-year history.
The RNLI played an important role in the adoption of the UN resolution, working alongside the World Health Organisation (WHO), and national governments of Ireland and Bangladesh to put a focus on drowning prevention.
The key summer safety advice to remember is:
- Visit a lifeguarded beach & swim between the red and yellow flags
- If you get into trouble Float to Live; tilt your head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control your breathing. Use your hands to help you stay afloat and then call for help or swim to safety if you can.
- Call 999 in a coastal emergency and ask for the Coastguard
The RNLI’s lifeguards are trained to offer friendly advice and medical assistance when needed and operate on the beaches seven-days-a-week between 10am and 6pm.
RNLI lifeguards are currently operating on the following North & East Yorkshire beaches seven-days-a-week between 10am and 6pm:
- Redcar
- Saltburn
- Runswick Bay
- Sandsend
- Whitby
- Cayton Bay
- Scarborough North Bay
- Scarborough South Bay
- Filey
- Belvedere (weekend only service)
- Bridlington North (weekend only service)
- Bridlington South (weekend only service)
- Withernsea (weekend only service)
- Hornsea (weekend only service)
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