With summer on our doorstep, the British public has started to plan their beach holidays and trips to the seaside, however this creates an increasing demand on the RNLI’s beach lifeguards and volunteer lifeboat crews.

In a bid to educate some of the most at-risk audiences on water safety, global cleaning expert Kärcher and the RNLI unveiled the first ever Float Spa, designed to stop people in their tracks and teach them how to Float to Live. This lifesaving technique encourages people experiencing cold water shock to relax and control their breathing, while floating to help initial cold water shock symptoms pass.

Taking place at the picturesque Bude Sea Pool in Cornwall, the Float Spa was open to the public and invited beach goers to participate in educational 10-minute sessions in the water, with trained RNLI experts demonstrating the lifesaving steps to float.

Key ‘Float to Live’ steps include:
● Tilt your head back with ears submerged
● Relax and try to breath normally
● Move your hands to help you stay afloat
● It’s OK if your legs sink, we all float differently
● Spread your arms and legs to improve stability

Following the session, participants were invited to unwind on Float Spa loungers, taking in the beautiful seaside setting, whilst enjoying luxurious amenities and refreshments.

The activation is part of a wider five-year partnership between Kärcher and the RNLI, helping to prevent drowning and save lives at sea. Known for its outstanding cleaning credentials, Kärcher is committed to providing its cleaning equipment to every one of the RNLI’s 238 lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland.

This includes professional pressure washers and other important cleaning appliances including scrubber dryers, to support with vital cleaning of the lifeboats and stations. This year, Kärcher equipment is being rolled out to 60 lifeboat stations.

The brand also supports the partnership with fundraising activities and sales promotions, raising vital funds to help the RNLI continue to save lives at sea.

James Gordon, Kärcher Marketing Director UK and Ireland, comments: ‘We are thrilled to have the RNLI as a partner and the ‘Float Spa’ event at Bude Sea Pool perfectly symbolises our shared commitment. With expert float teachers guiding beachgoers on the art of floating, this immersive experience not only showcased the power of this life-saving technique, but also emphasised the importance of water safety. It was a remarkable event that brought together education, relaxation and the sheer joy of embracing the sea, leaving participants with newfound confidence in the water and a deeper appreciation for the vital work carried out by the RNLI.’