THE RNLI have hosted an event inviting people to ‘Find Your Float’ for World Drowning Prevention Day, supported by Paralympic and European para-rowing Champion, Ben Pritchard, and water safety campaigner Maxine Johnson.

This World Drowning Prevention Day (25 July) the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) has launched a ‘Find Your Float’ campaign to encourage people to practise vital self-rescue and survival techniques. In support of this campaign, the RNLI held an event held at UWC Atlantic College this week, inviting a diverse group of participants to practice the lifesaving float technique.

Chris Cousens, RNLI Regional Water Safety Lead says: ‘We wanted to host this event in support of the campaign so people could get in the water themselves and practice floating – a technique we know saves lives.

‘At the RNLI we are aware of at least 50 people who have used floating to help save themselves after getting into difficulty in the water. With the start of the summer holidays, many families and young people are planning on spending time at the coast and near water over the coming weeks – so we want to get as many people as possible to “Find Your Float” and have a go floating.

‘Everyone can float, although not everybody floats in the same way, so the more people we get finding out what floating looks and feels like for them by practising in a safe and supervised environment, the more potential lives that could be saved.’

Ben Pritchard, gold-medal winning Paralympic and European para-rower, and former RNLI lifeboat crew and lifeguard, was one of the participants who got in the water to find his float. Ben said:

‘I think for people in my position who have spinal injuries or are (wheel)chair users, this is a really important campaign, because our instant worry is that we do sink because we don’t have core control, we don’t have muscle activation to help us get up.

‘And what I found in the water today… even though my feet were dropping down, my airway was clear, just by making sure my ears were under the water and I was leaning back.

‘So I think for anyone that has mobility issues or may worry that they are not strong enough – the easiest thing was just to relax, tilt your head back, get those ears in the water and float.

‘Don’t be afraid to take a moment to relax as that will help you float. In instances where you fall in the water, or you may find yourself in trouble – relax. Get those ears in the water, get that airway clear and give yourself two minutes, and then start shouting for help and trying to get attention.’

Maxine Johnson’s son Reuben was 15 when he drowned after getting into difficulty in Pontsticill Reservoir, Bannau Brycheiniog in 2006. Since that heartbreaking incident, Maxine has campaigned tirelessly in the water safety space to spread lifesaving messages in the hope that no other family goes through what they have.

Maxine says: ‘Supporting “Find Your Float” for World Drowning Prevention Day means we are highlighting the dangers that open water can present and the importance of water safety education.

‘No one ever thinks it will happen to them, or their friend or family member – but the truth is, anyone can get into difficulty in the water.’

It was a very hot day when Reuben was celebrating with friends after finishing his GCSEs. They entered the water to swim across the reservoir and Reuben suffered cold-water shock, tragically never making it to the other side.

‘The impact of our loss is indescribable, but I want to make sure that other parents, children and young people, don’t go through the same pain we’ve suffered. I am keeping Reuben’s memory alive through raising awareness.’

Chris added: ‘The rate of accidental drowning in Wales is almost double that of the UK as a whole, so we want everyone of all age groups and backgrounds to go and find your float. Practice in your local swimming pool, or at a lifeguarded beach between the red and yellow flags.

‘Having Maxine’s and Ben’s support for our “Find Your Float” event is a powerful message that we should all take the time to practice this lifesaving technique – as you never know when you might need it.’

The NWSF has revealed that young people are the most high-risk group for accidental drowning in the UK. According to the Water Incident Database (WAID), more than a quarter (26 per cent) of all accidental drowning deaths that occurred in the last five years (2020 to 2024 inclusive) were young people aged 10 to 29.

Sadly, warm weather is a known factor in increasing these numbers – when the weather turns hot, many teenagers and young adults head to the water to socialise and cool off, often unaware of the dangers open water presents.

Because of this worrying correlation, water safety experts are urging anyone planning to spend time on or near the water this summer to prepare themselves for an emergency by practising an essential self-rescue skill: floating.

Floating is a science-backed, lifesaving technique that works in both salt and fresh water.^[i] Everyone can float, although not everybody floats in the same way. Professor Mike Tipton, Chair of the NWSF and leading global voice in water safety said:

‘The hugely important “Find Your Float” campaign is designed to teach people – including the young – proven life-saving behaviour and encourages them to practice it, preparing them should they ever need to use it. I encourage everyone to get involved; a couple of hours devoted to “finding your float” could save decades of life.’

The RNLI shares a special history with UWC Atlantic College. The development of the Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) by students and staff at the college in the 60s and 70s was a revolutionary moment in boating design. The RIB became the model for the RNLI’s B class Atlantic lifeboats, with today’s Atlantic 85 as the latest model and the workhorse of the RNLI’s lifesaving fleet.

A UWC Atlantic Spokesperson said: “At UWC Atlantic, our legacy in lifesaving and water safety education dates back to the development of the first RIB (rigid inflatable boat), which was designed here and later donated to the RNLI. That spirit of innovation and service lives on today, and we’re proud to be part of this vital campaign – promoting the skills, knowledge, and awareness that continue to save lives.’

How to find your float:

• 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 OK if your legs sink, we all float differently
• Once your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety.

For more information about the ‘Find your Float’ campaign and World Drowning Prevention Day, visit respectthewater.com.