The RNLI's "Float to Live" method involves lying back in the water with your ears submerged and gently moving your arms and legs to stay afloat, says the Mirror's Saskia Rowlands14:43, 03 Jul 2026The RNLI share ‘Float To Live’ advice and join forces with the Mirror to help save lives this summerLearning a simple floating technique could save your life in the water this summer.‌This is the vital message the RNLI hopes to spread after 26 people – mostly youngsters – drowned during the recent two heatwaves. The charity’s "Float to Live" method is scientifically proven, and has already saved over 50 lives.‌It involves lying back in the water with your ears submerged and gently moving your arms and legs to stay afloat. The Mirror visited the RNLI's HQ in Poole, Dorset, to try out the technique first hand in their sea survival pool.‌And with the help of expert lifeguard Maisie Rafferty, our reporter tried out the technique - and learned why the skill is so important in the process.The RNLI’s water safety manager Ross Macleod told us: "The key thing for floating is learning to relax in the water, tilt your head back with your ears submerged, and control your breathing.‌"Don't worry if your legs sink, as we all float differently. Practice in a supervised location to learn what floating looks and feels like for you."Sharing this Float to Live message is vital, particularly at this time of year after seeing an unprecedented number of drownings. It's vital that parents have a conversation about water safety with the young people in their lives - knowing what to do can really save their lives. Have this conversation with the young person in your life and it really could be a life saver.”Our visit came as another heatwave is likely to be declared in the UK in the coming days, with temperatures set to hit 30C in places. Last month was the warmest June on record for England, and the second warmest for the UK as a whole, according to provisional Met Office data.‌Reporter Saskia Rowlands said: "Having grown up by the sea, I ignorantly assumed the RNLI’s Float to Live technique was only for people who couldn’t swim."But after visiting the charity’s HQ and sea survival pool this week, my perspective completely shifted. I learned that open water is terrifyingly unpredictable - and often claims the lives of fit people."Practicing the technique myself was eye opening. I was shocked by how quickly I took to it, and came away confident in the knowledge I would know what to do if I got into difficulty. I urge everyone to try it for themselves - it takes seconds to learn, but could save your life."‌The Mirror ’s Save Lives for Sam water safety campaign was launched to tackle the UK's growing drowning crisis. Backed by MPs, Olympic champions, national water safety organisations and bereaved families, the campaign is calling for urgent action to make our waters safer.It includes compulsory water safety lessons in schools, a nationwide public awareness campaign, better lifesaving equipment at high-risk waterways, the introduction of Sam's Law, and a dedicated Minister for Water Safety. Our fight was launched in memory of Sam Haycock, 16, who died in May 2021 after getting into trouble in a reservoir on the last day of school.‌The campaign is calling for:* The Government to launch an urgent public awareness campaign ahead of the summer holidays which targets parents and children on TikTok and other social media platforms. This should include lifesaving techniques and advice such as avoid diving into the water and information on cold water shock.* Water companies and those in control of high risk large water bodies, to ‘do the right thing’ by bringing in the correct safety equipment.‌* Compulsory lessons in schools (ahead of the holidays) on how to survive if you get into difficulty in the water, which should include the Water Safety Code, the RNLI ‘Float to Live’ campaign, and Phone-Float-Throw bystander advice.* Put in place ‘Sam’s Law’. We urge the Government to make it law that safety equipment should be installed around high risk large bodies of water and make damaging this safety equipment an aggravated criminal offence to damage or steal this safety equipment. Currently it is already a criminal offence under theft or criminal damage but the penalties are low for these very minor offences.* And finally the appointment of a Minister for Water Safety, as they have in Wales and Scotland, as drowning must be accepted as a preventable public health issue.Article continues belowFind out more about the campaign and how you can support it here.