'Float to live' advice in drowning prevention week

Families are being encouraged to talk about staying safe in the water as part of this year's drowning prevention week in Jersey.

This year's theme focuses on starting conversations around water safety at home with parents, carers and children ahead of the summer holidays.

Tim Tredant from the RNLI in Jersey said crews had already gone out on a few rescues this summer.

He said swimmers should follow the "float to live" advice if they did get into difficulties.

"We're advising people to tilt their head back and relax. Gently move your hands and legs. If your legs sink, that's ok, everybody's body floats differently," he said.

He suggested practising the technique when safe to do so.

Lifeguards will be at El Tico and Watersplash in St Ouen's Bay, Plémont, Grève de Lecq and St Brelade's Bay daily from 10:00 BST to 18:00 this summer.

Mr Tredant also advised people to stick to beaches with lifeguards and for parents to tell their children to swim between the red and yellow flags, which mark safe places to swim.

The water temperature is still only 15C, he warned, and swimmers should acclimatise gently, rather than running or diving in straight away.

Mr Tredant said if swimmers did get caught in a rip "don't try to swim against it, or you'll get exhausted".

He said they should put their feet down if possible and wade in, or swim parallel to the shore to avoid getting caught.

People should also raise their hand in the air and shout out to alert the lifeguards.

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