Coastal walking
The coasts of the UK and Ireland are beautiful and wild – and there to be explored. Coastal walking is a very safe activity most of the time, but slips and falls from walking and running are the biggest cause of death on our coastlines. So, before your next visit, check out our safety tips.
Don’t be a statistic
201 uk coastal walking and running fatalities between 2011 and 2015
351 cut-off by the tide rescues in 2020
366 lifeboatS launched to walkers and runners in the uk AND IRELAND IN 2020
How to stay safe
- Be wary of all edges around the sea and waterside. Slips and falls happen in all locations; it is not just high cliff edges that are a risk.
- Always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back.
- Take care when walking in dark and slippery conditions.
- Always take a means of calling for help.
- Always check the weather and tides. Getting cut off by the tide is a common cause of lifeboat launches. Look here for further info.
Figures taken from:
- The National Water Safety Forum’s Water Incident Database (WAID UK) 2011-2015.
- RNLI lifeboat return of service data UK and Ireland 2020.
Float to live
Would you know what to do if you got into difficulty in the water? Float by following these five simple steps – it could save your life.