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Mudeford RNLI rescuers praise young Billie (11) for remembering vital ‘Float to Live’ advice before being pulled from water by off-duty volunteer off Avon beach

03:00, 30 October 2024

A YOUNG girl was praised for remembering to “Float to Live” when she got swept out into deep water off a Christchurch beach.

Off-duty Mudeford RNLI helm Andy Read jumped in fully clothed, along with another person, to rescue 11-year-old Billie and her friend after seeing them in trouble off Avon beach.

Billie and her mother Kate, from Christchurch, returned to the RNLI station to thank Andy for rescuing her while he was enjoying a seaside walk with his family.

Andy Read and Billie at Mudeford lifeboat station (picture: RNLI)
Andy Read and Billie at Mudeford lifeboat station (picture: RNLI)

But the volunteer rescue team also credited the youngster with playing a part in her safe retrieval by remembering their advice for those who get into difficulty in the water.

The drama unfolded on 19th September, when Billie was on the beach with Kate’s friend and her son.

While paddling ankle-deep, they were suddenly swept out into deep water.

Andy said: “Billie did exactly the right thing – they were floating to live and calling for help when I reached them and that undoubtedly bought them those extra few minutes before I was able to reach them.

“They should be really proud of their actions, and this just brings home the importance of the lifesaving technique and why we try to reach as many people as possible with our messaging.”

Andy is trained in such rescues, but the RNLI urges people who see someone in danger to stay on the shore and dial 999 to ask for the coastguard.

Billie has some learning difficulties which can impact her memory, and she relies on her trainee support dog Frankie.

But despite this, she remembered hearing the Float to Live advice during swimming lessons.

“The beach is one of my favourite places – and I also love swimming,” she said.

“I heard the Float to Live advice in my swimming lessons. It just came to me in that moment.

“I was scared but I felt like I knew what to do, and I made a starfish on my back.”

The Float to Live advice involves the person tilting their head back with ears submerged, relaxing and trying to control their breathing.

They should move their hands to help stay afloat and then, once over the initial shock, call for help or swim to safety.

“I knew I had to find Andy to thank him for rescuing the children – he is a real hero,” Katie said, encouraging everyone to familiarise themselves with the advice.

“After I put up a Facebook post, someone from the lifeboat station came forward and said they knew it was him as he’d been spotted walking home in his wet clothes.

“He'd literally left his family, who he was with on the beach walking. He wasn't working – he just jumped in fully clothed.

“We are so grateful to him and the whole RNLI for everything they do to try to keep us safe.”

An online fundraising page launched by Kate to support the RNLI (tinyurl.com/5n7xkzye) had raised £475 towards a £500 target by today (Tuesday).

Andy Read and Billie at Mudeford lifeboat station (picture: RNLI)
Andy Read and Billie at Mudeford lifeboat station (picture: RNLI)

RNLI water safety manager Gabbi Batchelor said: “This incredible story shows us just how important Float to Live safety advice is; the technique really does save lives.

“The fact that Billie was able to remain calm and float on her back when she was in trouble in the water is amazing and helped save her life.

“We’re expecting the coast to be really busy over the half-term holidays. Although it’s a bit cooler now and you might not be intending to go in the sea, it’s still vital you remember the Float to Live advice as 37% of accidental drowning deaths happened to those that didn’t intend to go in the water last year.”

For more information visit rnli.org/safety/float

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