What to do in case you’re swept out to sea as actress drowns and man falls overboard

Two incidents of people falling in water have been in the news in recent hours. First, the death of Russian actor Kamilla Belyatskaya made headlines around the world. Horrific footage showed the 24-year-old, who had been doing yoga on a waterside rock in Koh Samui, Thailand, dragged into the water with her body later found two thirds of a mile away.

Then, it was reported that a 72-year-old American man was the subject of a major search operation after being reported missing from the cruise ship he was on. When the Ruby Princess arrived in San Francisco at 6.50am on Monday (December 2) the man, who was said to have been travelling alone and whose identity has not been made public, was nowhere to be seen. The incident was ruled as a “man overboard incident” by the cruise line.

Big swells and wild waters are the stuff of nightmares and, as has been shown time and time again, can be deadly. Knowing what to do in the water can be the difference between life and death, with experts having issued guidance about best practice about what to do.

READ MORE: Putin will respond ‘with megatons’ if Europe attacks, claims ex-US Army Russian spy

READ MORE: Brit pubs and bars banned from showing WWE as UK wrestling fans launch petition

A RNLI spokesperson told The Daily Star : “If you do get into trouble in the water, remember Float to Live: tilt your head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control your breathing. Use your hands to help you stay afloat and then, once you are through the initial shock, call for help or swim to safety if you can.”

The RNLI passed Float to Live advice to these pages in reference to UK coastlines. In it, it said:

• Tilt your head back with ears submerged

• Relax and try to control your breathing

• Move your hands to help you stay afloat – remember it is ok to let your legs sink, as we all float differently

• Once you are over the initial shock, call for help or swim to safety

• In an emergency call 999 or 112– if you are at sea or on the beach ask for the coastguard, or if inland ask for the Fire and Rescue Service.

Click for more of the latest news from across the world from the Daily Star.