Around 400 people drown in the UK every year; a further 140 in Ireland. So what is the RNLI doing about it?

Our courageous volunteer lifeboat crews, lifeguards and flood rescue teams collectively saved the lives of 449 people in the UK and RoI last year.

Thousands more were rescued or assisted by a team of passionate volunteers that aim to help people 24/7. And it's not just swimmers who get into danger – anglers, beach walkers, sailers and kayakers are among the many who can get into difficulty.

But what preventative measures is the RNLI taking to reduce the risk of people drowning. however they may end up in the water?

As Staff Officer Operations Howard Ramm says: 'We already run proactive initiatives, such as lifejacket clinics, sea safety advice for boat users and children’s programmes like Hit the Surf and Beach to City. Our lifeguard service is preventative by its very nature, supervising swimmers between the red and yellow flags at the beach and warning them of potential hazards.

'Last year we launched the RNLI Beach Finder App, which allows you to search for lifeguarded beaches in the UK, to make sure you have a safe and fun trip to the coast.' But the charity aims to do more to save lives at sea.

'It only takes a matter of minutes to drown. So when you fall from rocks, the reality is you may not survive, especially in the cold waters around  ur coast,' says Howard.

‘If we can encourage people to think about safety when taking part in waterbased activities, then we can potentially reduce the risk for both the public and our crews, and lifeguards who rescue these people.’

The RNLI's Coastal Safety Team is developing a new UK and RoI initiative to raise awareness of the risk that water can present to make it a safer place to be.

Part of that process involves looking beyond the drowning statistics and understanding the causes of drowning, across the UK and RoI.

But as Howard points out there are actions people can start taking now to reduce their own risk, such as being aware of the effects of weather and tide, wearing suitable buoyancy aids, such as a lifejackets, and only swimming in supervised areas at lifeguarded beaches.

‘Just because you can swim all afternoon in the pool does not automatically mean you will be competent in the sea – it’s a very different environment,’ he says.

'People also underestimate the impact of cold water shock - for most of the year, water temperatures around the UK and RoI are dangerously low, which can limit the body's ability to swim and stay afloat within seconds and can prove fatal, even for experienced swimmers.

'Going out on the water can, and should be, a lot of fun. Taking some simple precautions can make your time on the water even more enjoyable, and reduce your chances of getting into trouble.'