I survived a dangerous rip tide by floating - here's what people should know to stay alive

'I survived by floating, now I hope to save others'5 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleAlison FreemanandDuncan Leatherdale,in CullercoatsBBCEuan Gray used the Float To Live technique after being caught in a rip currentA surfer who used a floating technique to survive after he and his brother got caught in a rip current is fronting a national safety campaign in the hope of saving lives.Euan Gray, 22, got into trouble at Tynemouth, North Tyneside, alongside his brother Andrew, 19, but both used the RNLI's Float to Live manoeuvre to survive while a lifeboat was sent to their rescue.The charity praised the Gateshead pair for their actions and hoped others would follow their example. To float, people should tilt their head backwards until their ears are submerged and, crucially, not panic.The brothers got caught in a notorious rip current, a powerful channel of water flowing out to sea, at the south end of Longsands beach in May 2025.Both resisted the urge to panic and swim against the current, instead opting to float and await rescue as was taught to them by their father years before at their local swimming pool.Geoff CowanLongsands has a near-permanent rip current at its southern end, near the lidoWhile his brother was able to clamber out on to nearby rocks, Euan had to be saved by the Cullercoats RNLI crew, who had been alerted by members of the public.To mark the anniversary and and raise funds to thank their rescuers, the brothers are running a half marathon every day in May.Euan is also the face of the RNLI's annual Float To Live water safety campaign."I'm very grateful [to the RNLI] and can't find the words to thank them enough," he said."I just want to help in any way possible and spread awareness about floating to live. "It saved my life, I hope it can save other people." Nick Ayers praised the brothers for their actionsThe RNLI's regional water safety lead Nick Ayers praised the brothers for...