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Your Perfect Getaway

A short exercise that teaches students to resist the urge to fight against cold water, and urges them to float to live.

  • 20 minutes
  • Optional: white board pens
  • Stop and think
  • Float

The average temperature of British and Irish coastal waters is 12-15ºC - cold enough to cause cold water shock.

When people fall into cold water, instinct tells them to swim hard and fight against it. But when people fight the water they are more likely to drown. Instead, they should fight their instinct, not the water, and float - until regaining control of their breathing.

Help save lives. Find out how to Float to Live.

In this activity, students imagine they are beside the water and are faced with the scenario of accidentally falling in. They must decide what they would do next.

Guidance notes

Videos

  • Respect the Water - the science of floating
    • Video
    • Video
    Could you survive in cold water?

Curriculum links

England

  • KS4, PE, Outdoor and Adventurous Activities, KS3
  • RSHE, Basic First Aid
  • KS4&5, PSHE, Health and Wellbeing

Northern Ireland

  • KS4, Learning for Life and Work, Personal Development

Republic of Ireland

  • SPHE, Health and Wellbeing

Scotland

  • Senior Phase

Wales

  • Health and well-being