What to do if you fall through the ice, or cold water #FloatToLive:

  1. Take a minute - The initial effects of cold water pass in the less than a minute so don’t try and swim straight away
  2. Relax and float - on your back to catch your breath. Try to get hold of something that will help
    you float
  3. Keep calm - then call for help or swim to safety if you’re able
  4. If the ice is strong enough, kick your legs to slide onto the ice
  5. Lie flat and pull yourself towards the bank
  6. If the ice breaks, work your way to the bank-breaking the ice in front of you anyway
  7. If you cannot climb out, wait for help and keep as still as possible. Preserve heat by pressing your arms by your side and keep your legs together. Keep your head clear of the water
  8. Once you are safe, go to hospital immediately for a check up

What to do if you see someone fall through the ice, or in difficulty in cold water:

  1. Shout for assistance and phone the emergency services – call 999 and ask for FIRE!

  2. Do not walk or climb onto the ice or enter the water to attempt a rescue
  3. Shout to the casualty to ‘keep still’ and offer reassurance to keep them calm
  4. Try and reach them from the bank using a rope, pole, tree branch, clothing tied together or anything else which can extend your reach
  5. When reaching from the bank, lie down to avoid being pulled onto the ice
  6. If you cannot reach them, slide something which floats, such as a plastic bottle or football, across the ice for them to hold onto to stay afloat whilst help is on the way
  7. If the casualty is too far away, do not attempt to rescue them. Wait for the emergency services while calming and reassuring the casualty

Get your children talking about winter water safety

Download RLSS FREE winter water safety colouring in sheet, activity booklet, and leaflet.

RLSS Share Winter Water Safety

Flood Awareness

It’s important that you know the risk of flooding in your area, prepare where necessary & act safely if flooding occurs.

Click here for flood awareness

Cold Water Shock

The term ‘cold water shock’ refers to a range of natural reactions that our bodies take to protect us when we enter cold water (although these reactions can sometimes work against us).

Click here for Cold Water Shock facts and information

Open water swimmers

No matter how much preparation you do, or how experienced you are, cold water comes with risks. Get to know them.

Click here for open water swimming advice

Campaign Assets

Download our #WinterWaterSafety assets here.

Click here for campaign assets