We’re excited and proud to announce the RNLI is Aquapac’s national charity partner for 2023.
Aquapac 2022 RNLI Fundraising Challenge
For the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, Aquapac raised £18,500 for the RNLI. Great achievements deserve great fundraising efforts.
Throughout the year, Aquapac organised a number of fundraising events.
Promoting greater Water Safety while you enjoy the sea
Aquapac supporting the RNLI’s efforts to defeat drowning by promoting vital equipment and products to keep people safe on the water and provide useful water safety advice
Aquapac will also be donating a percentage of our phone, keymaster and two-way radio case website retail sales to the RNLI throughout 2023. Buy now online here
A call for help could save your life
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Aquapac are urging anyone planning a coastal visit or an activity on the water to carry a means of calling for help and keep it within reach.
Whether you are planning a coastal walk, looking to paddleboard for the first time or are an experienced sailor heading out on the water, having a means to call for help should you get into difficulty and dialling 999 or 112 for the Coastguard could save your life. The highlighting of this vital lifesaving message comes as the charity and Aquapac announce their new partnership.
Aquapac protective waterproof cases since 1983 have always promoted greater safety on the water.
Partnering up with the RNLI enables us at Aquapac to carry the message about learning Water Safety Skills, How to Float and Swim Safe.
The RNLI provides a 24-hour search and rescue service around the UK and Ireland and a world-class lifeguard service on about 240 UK & Channel Island beaches’ giving them the vital skills to save lives, as well as confidence in each other and their lifesaving equipment. As a registered charity. The RNLI relies entirely on the public’s generosity to fund its life saving work as well as the time and energy of thousands of volunteers.
Tides and currents
Tides can come in surprisingly quickly so when on the beach – keep an eye on where it is and how fast it is moving.
Rip currents
Rip currents are strong currents that can quickly take swimmers out of their depth. If you are caught by one, use the following procedure:
- Stay calm and don’t panic.
- If you can stand, wade don’t walk. If you have a board then keep hold of it to help you float
- Raise your hand or shout for help
- Never swim against the rip current, it will exhaust you
- Swim parallel to the beach until free of the rip current then make your way into shore
- If you see anyone else in trouble, alert the lifeguards or call 999 or 112 and ask for the lifeguard
Float to live
Remember:
- Fight your instinct to thrash around
- Lean back, extend your arms and legs
- If you need to, gently move them around to help you float
- Float until you can control your breathing
- Only then, call for help, swim to safety or continue floating until help arrives
Flags explained
Across the UK the RNLI provide additional support to holidaymakers on over 240 of Britain’s busiest beaches providing safety advice and helping to keep people safe. Please see some of their advice below to help you when at the coast.
- Red and yellow flags mean the area is lifeguarded and these are the safest places to swim and bodyboard.
- Black and white chequered flags mean an area for surfboards, kayaks and other non-powered crafts.
- Orange windsocks show offshore or strong wind conditions – never use an inflatable when the sock is flying.
- Red flags mean danger. Never go in the water when the red flag is up.
Sun Safety
Remember the five S’s of sun safety:
- Sunscreen – slap on a high factor sunscreen.
- Sun hat – stick on a hat big enough to protect face, neck and ears
- Sunglasses – sport some shades that offer UV protection
- Shoulders – slip on something to keep these covered
- Shade – take extra care to seek shade between 11am and 3pm when the sun is strongest
For more information on the RNLI and beach safety visit the RNLI website