WITH temperatures set to soar this weekend the RNLI is urging everyone who visits the coast to “understands the risks of the environment”.

UK coastal areas are predicted to be even busier than last year, with a new study commissioned by the RNLI revealing 35 million people plan to visit the coast this summer.

The study also found that 85 per cent of the UK adult population expect to visit the coast or use the beach or sea between now and the end of September – up from 75 per cent this time last year.

Ahead of this, the RNLI has issued warnings to potential visitors.

Gabbi Batchelor, water safety education manager at the RNLI, said: “It is important that anyone visiting the coast understands the risks of the environment. It can be very unpredictable, particularly during early summer when the risk of cold water shock significantly increases, as air temperatures warm but water temperatures remain dangerously cold.

“If you get into trouble in the water, Float to Live: lean back, using your arms and legs to stay afloat. Control your breathing, then call for help or swim to safety. In a coastal emergency, call 999 or 112 for the Coastguard.”

She also reminded people to visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags if in the sea.

Visit rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches for a full list of RNLI lifeguarded beaches in Dorset.