Figures released by the RNLI show that men are ten times more likely to die on the UK coastline than women. 109 adults died on the coast in 2017, of which 99 were men.
The reasons are likely to be connected to a higher number of men participating in watersports, and a tendency to be risk-takers. The majority of those who died were young men, and the RNLI is appealing for young men to talk to one another about the risks present near or on the sea.
The RNLI’s summer campaign explains the body’s reaction to sudden immersion in cold water, and the action to take.
RNLI lifeguard supervisor Lewis Timson said: “When you jump into very cold water it sends your heart into a bit of a sporadic rhythm, throws breathing out and generally people thrash to get to safety. The current safety message is the complete opposite of that.
“Go on to your back, elevate your chin towards sky, put your arms out to your side and stay in that position for about a minute. Let your heart and breathing go back down to normal rhythm, then decide on the best course of action.”
This is the RNLI’s video ‘Float to Live’:
You can also see it, and further safety information, on their website RespecttheWater.com.