In trouble in the water? [*Stay calm and float on your back*](https://rnli.org/video-player/AFA4C7A2-5773-42DF-880D3E652D10C4A2). This goes double if you *fall* into *cold* (below 15C water) water, which causes [cold water shock](https://watersafetyscotland.org.uk/information/cold-water-shock/), which can kill you. It takes about 90 seconds for that to wear off.
What does "in trouble in the water" look like? [Head at the waterline, tilted back, and moving like climbing a ladder](https://youtu.be/TDdCBqxbCAw). It's *fast and silent*, not splashing and yelling.
If you're caught in a dangerous current, [*flip over and float*](https://youtu.be/71D8Y8YlsRA). You *need* to stay at the water surface breathing until you can rescue yourself by swimming out of the current or until professionals can rescue you.
Wear a life jacket. Stay sober at the beach. *Always* have one person on shore with eyes on the swimmers, even if there's a lifeguard. For the love of humanity, if you can't swim, *please* learn, and I'm begging you, stay out of the water entirely until you can.