If you find yourself struggling in the water, or if you fall in unexpectedly, you should Float to Live. Just lean back and use your arms and legs to help you float. Wait until you can control your breathing, then call for help or swim to safety. 
 
If you have children, it&rsquo;s important to teach them to float too. You could practice when you go to the swimming pool. Watch the RNLI&#39;s video by&nbsp;<a href="https:|}|}rnli.org|}video-player|}E7BF4CDD-578C-4824-B3DBE55B922BE143" target="_blank">clicking the link here<|}a><|}u><|}strong>&nbsp;to find out how to teach your child to float. You can also find out some more information about floating to live by clicking the &quot;floating facts&quot; tab or by <a href="https:|}|}butlins.com|}help-contact|}beach-safety-information#floating-facts">clicking the link here<|}a>.<|}p>

1 - FLOAT TO LIVE

Choosing to visit a lifeguarded beach gives you and your family the protection of highly trained lifeguards. They can see the dangers develop, prevent accidents before they happen and respond instantly if anyone gets into difficulty.&nbsp; 
 
RNLI lifeguards patrol 245 lifeguarded beaches across the UK and Channel Islands.&nbsp; You can find out more information or other lifeguarded beaches by <a href="https:|}|}rnli.org|}find-my-nearest|}lifeguarded-beaches" target="_blank">clicking the link to the RNLI website here<|}a>.<|}p>

2 - CHOOSE A LIFEGUARDED BEACH

When you&rsquo;re heading to the beach, it&rsquo;s important that you know the risks and what you can do to minimise them. From rip currents to tides, cold water shock to waves, being aware of the dangers will help you to stay safe. 
 
One of the risks at the beach is rip currents. They are strong currents that can quickly drag you out to sea. Find out more information on rip currents in the &quot;Rip Currents&quot; tab above or by&nbsp;<a href="https:|}|}butlins.com|}help-contact|}beach-safety-information#rip-currents">clicking the link here<|}a><|}u><|}strong>.<|}p>

3 - KNOW THE RISKS AND WHAT TO DO

When you go to the beach, always carry a means of calling for help. If you&rsquo;re going in the water, you can carry your mobile phone in a waterproof pouch. That way, if you find yourself or spot someone else in an emergency situation, you can get help.<|}p>

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In a coastal emergency, call 999 if you&#39;re in the UK or 112 if you&#39;re in Ireland and ask for the coastguard.<|}p>

4 - CALL 999 OR 112 IN AN EMERGENCY

If you visit a lifeguarded beach, there will be flags on the beach to show you where it&rsquo;s safe to swim. If you&rsquo;re planning to swim or bodyboard, stay between the red and yellow flags. For surfboards, stand-up paddleboards or other non-powered craft, go between the black and white chequered flag. You should not swim there. 
 
If a red flag is flying, the water is dangerous. Do not enter the water under any circumstances.<|}p>

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5 - KNOW YOUR FLAGS

If you get into trouble in the water, knowing how to float could save your life. Here are some facts about floating to explain why it&rsquo;s a skill you should know.<|}p>

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PREPARE WITH PRACTICE<|}u><|}strong><|}p>

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Build your confidence by practising our five steps to float in a swimming pool. Getting used to floating for up to 90 seconds (the duration it takes for cold water shock to pass) could be your lifesaver in open water.<|}p>

&nbsp;<|}p>

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FIGHT YOUR INSTINCT, NOT THE WATER<|}u><|}strong><|}p>

<ul>
	<li>
	Fight your instinct to thrash around.<|}p>
	<|}li>
	<li>
	Lean back, extend your arms and legs.<|}p>
	<|}li>
	<li>
	If you need to, gently move them around to help you float.<|}p>
	<|}li>
	<li>
	Float until you can control your breathing.<|}p>
	<|}li>
	<li>
	Only then, call for help, swim to safety or continue floating until help arrives.<|}p>
	<|}li>
<|}ul>

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CLOTHING CAN HELP YOU FLOAT<|}u><|}strong><|}p>

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In most cases, clothing and footwear improves buoyancy during the first moments in the water - because it traps air between the layers when you fall in. Moving less helps the air stay trapped, helping you to float. The foam in most types of shoes will also help your feet stay buoyant, so you should keep them on, unless you feel them dragging you down.<|}p>

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THE SCIENCE BEHIND FLOATING<|}u><|}strong><|}p>

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While you float, you can regain control of your breathing and your heart rate can begin to steady. So, if you find yourself in trouble in the water, relax and float for up to 90 seconds - the duration it takes for cold water shock to disappear.<|}p>

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Discover the facts behind Float to Live

In the UK, the majority of RNLI Lifeguard incidents involve rip currents. They are a major cause of accidental drowning on beaches all across the world.<|}p>

RIP CURRENTS

Rips are strong currents running out to sea, which can quickly drag people and debris away from the shallows of the shoreline and out to deeper water.<|}p>

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They tend to flow at 1&ndash;2mph but can reach 4&ndash;5mph, which is faster than an Olympic swimmer.<|}p>

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Rips are especially powerful in larger surf, but never underestimate the power of any water. They are also found around river mouths, estuaries and man-made structures like piers and groynes.<|}p>

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HOW TO SPOT AND AVOID A RIP CURRENT<|}strong><|}u><|}p>

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Rip currents can be difficult to spot, but are sometimes identified by a channel of churning, choppy water on the sea&#39;s surface.<|}p>

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Even the most experienced beachgoers can be caught out by rips, so don&rsquo;t be afraid to ask lifeguards for advice. They will show you how you can identify and avoid rips.<|}p>

&nbsp;<|}p>

The best way to avoid rips is to&nbsp;<a href="https:|}|}rnli.org|}find-my-nearest|}lifeguarded-beaches">choose a lifeguarded beach<|}a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;always swim between the red and yellow flags<|}strong>, which have been marked based on where is safer to swim in the current conditions. This also helps you to be spotted more easily, should something go wrong.<|}p>

What is a Rip Current?

<ul>
	<li>Don&rsquo;t try to swim against it or you&rsquo;ll get exhausted.<|}li>
	<li>If you can stand, wade don&rsquo;t swim.<|}li>
	<li>If you can, swim parallel to the shore until free of the rip and then head for shore.<|}li>
	<li>Always raise your hand and shout for help.<|}li>
<|}ul>

&nbsp;<|}p>

If you see anyone else in trouble<|}strong>, alert the lifeguards or call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.<|}p>

&nbsp;<|}p>

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If you do find yourself caught in a rip:

Beach Safety

Floating Facts

Rip Currents

The beach is a fantastic place to go, but it can be dangerous. If you&#39;re heading to the seaside, take a look at the RNLI&#39;s top five tips to help you and your family stay safe, facts about floating and information about rip currents.<|}p>

Beach Safety when visiting Butlin's

BEACH SAFETY INFORMATION<|}p>

We know what's it's like to be looking forward to something and how disappointing it is if those plans have to be cancelled. Butlin's Holiday Protection covers you against cancellation so you can book your break with peace of mind.

Beach Safety Information | Butlin's

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BEACH SAFETY INFORMATION

Beach Safety when visiting Butlin's

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