RNLI Key Safety Advice

**Advertising feature**

The RNLI have joined together with Primary Times to provide some useful advice and links to help you keep your family safe this summer.

The RNLI key safety advice for anyone  visiting the coast is:
■ Visit a lifeguarded beach - use the RNLI’s tool to find your nearest lifeguarded beach

■ Have a plan - check the weather forecast, tide times and read local hazard signage.
■ Stay together and don’t use inflatables.
■ If you fall into the water unexpectedly, FLOAT TO LIVE. Fight  your instinct to thrash around, lean back, extend your arms and
legs, and Float.
■ In an emergency call 999 and ask for the Coastguard

We recommend looking at the Met Office app or the Met Office website to find local tide times and weather forecasts. Lifeguards will also put a blackboard of information next to their hut that will give you details on the weather and any necessary warnings for the day.

The RNLI lifeboat volunteers are often called out to families cut off by the tide whilst enjoying a coastal walk or to children who’ve
drifted out on inflatables so most importantly, always check tide times before heading out and don’t use inflatables at the beach –
save it for the swimming pools!

RNLI Water Safety Education for schools

The RNLI saves lives at sea. But beyond the work we do on our lifeboats and beaches, we’re an active part of the community too.
In normal times, throughout the spring and summer, our Water Safety Education Volunteers and lifeguards would visit schools
and children’s clubs to deliver exciting workshops, tailored to children from 3 years up to early teens, on staying safe at the
coast and what to do in an emergency. Our volunteers have also invited children to our lifeboat stations and museums to get a
hands-on insight into the world of lifesaving.

However, due to the pandemic, these lessons are now virtual –but our safety messaging is still as important! If you are interested
in one of our trained volunteers or lifeguards giving a talk, visit our youth education site

As part of the RNLI’s commitment to Water Safety, we also offer a range of classroom resources so teachers, families and clubs
can run their own water safety sessions. The materials have been designed to be fun and engaging, combining videos, problem solving
activities and guided discussions.  Not only will they get brains working, but the activities also pass
on invaluable water safety advice.  Find out more here.

Swim Safe – Free Swimming Lessons

Swim Safe is a free, fun outdoor swimming session with fully qualified lifeguards and swimming instructors at select coastal
and inland locations across the UK.
Many children love to swim – but swimming in the sea, rivers and lakes is very different to swimming in a pool. Swim Safe is a
community-focused programme that gives children aged 7–14 an opportunity to learn how to be safe in and around open water.  The practical sessions are designed to help young people who  can already swim 25m unaided to improve their swimming ability and feel more confident in the water. There are public sessions and sessions specially designed for schools.
To find out more, visit the Swimsafe website.

How can you support the RNLI?
If you want to keep the children entertained whilst also supporting a lifesaving charity, consider signing up for a Storm Force membership. For just £12 a year, your child will receive four issues of the Storm Force magazine, online access to our Crew Room with great activities and rescue videos plus a membership pack with crew bag, pencil case, stickers and more. You can join the Storm Force team by visiting them online here. 

The RNLI have plenty of ideas and resources for those who would like to fundraise for us. You can also make a donation here.