Alarming survey shows four in ten people lack ‘basic understanding’ of how tides work
West Kirby RNLI was called out to two walkers on slippery rocks, surrounded by the rising tide. Image courtesy of RNLI.
With coastal destinations set to attract crowds during the upcoming Easter school holidays, new research from the RNLI in collaboration with Bangor University indicates widespread gaps in public understanding of tidal behaviour.
The study, which surveyed 1,368 participants across the UK and Ireland, found that approximately 15 per cent of respondents report having been cut off, or nearly cut off, by the tide at some point in their lives. This equates to around 10m people across the UK and Ireland. The study’s authors highlight that a notable proportion of these incidents involved individuals who had not intended to be in or near the water in the first place.
The survey highlights that 60 per cent of those affected by tidal cut-off were surprised by how quickly the water moved, indicating a general underestimation of tidal speed. Further findings show that 40 per cent of people surveyed lack a basic understanding of tides, and only 50 per cent check tide times before visiting the beach.
Only 24 per cent of participants demonstrated the ability to accurately read and interpret a tide timetable, which can help avoid becoming stranded by changing water levels.
Data collected by the RNLI — which recently issued new safety checklists for boaters — shows that over the past decade, lifeboat crews and lifeguards have attended 7,971 incidents involving tidal cut-off. Of these, many were categorised as life-threatening, and 452 lives were recorded as saved.
The footage below documents one recent case, where West Kirby RNLI was called out to rescue two walkers who had been cut off by the tide.
Yvonne, who only provided her first name, experienced one such incident when she was cut off by the tide at Fleetwood beach during a family outing from North Yorkshire. Despite having consulted tide times beforehand, the group was unaware of the distinctions between high and low tide timings. As they attempted to return from the shore, the rising water quickly isolated them. Yvonne says:
“Suddenly, the water was getting towards waist height. My partner, who had just had a shoulder replacement, got separated from us and was standing on a sand embankment. Within two minutes, all the sand was gone.”
“My phone got wet and I couldn’t make any calls for help but I knew a lifeguard had seen us. I had to stay strong for my whole family. The water got deep so suddenly we were almost swimming in it.
“We started getting separated and further away from each other, which was making my daughter panic; it was terrifying. Then we saw the lifeboat. I told everyone to stay calm and tread water while the crew came to rescue us.
“If they hadn’t come out, I don’t think it would have been the outcome we ended up with. The water was so fast. I don’t think we would have survived.”
The research was commissioned through Bangor University’s Impact and Innovation Fund, and the project team included specialists in marine social science, oceanography and discourse analysis.
The RNLI encourages coastal visitors to consult reliable sources, such as the Met Office, before making plans. The organisation advises that tides follow a predictable pattern, occurring twice each 24-hour period, but times vary by location and shift daily. Understanding these variations is considered important for both beach users and coastal walkers.
Chris Cousens, water safety lead at the RNLI, says: “The results of the survey are eye-opening and show that a large proportion of the public have gaps in tidal knowledge.
“We know there is a lot more work to be done. We will be using the findings to help shape our safety messaging in public campaigns and education going forward.”
Dr Liz Morris-Webb, honorary research fellow at Bangor University adds: “As a marine researcher with 25 years of experience along the British coast, I have seen many instances of people being caught out by the tide, from the public to experienced marine professionals.
“The first-hand experiences of those who have been cut off have provided important lessons on gaps in tidal knowledge that can quickly turn a family walk or beach visit into to a life-threatening situation. I am very grateful to all those who have spoken to us about their traumatic experiences. Their participation is paving the way for improving safety messaging and driving a conversation about how to safely visit our beautiful, but wild, coast.”
The RNLI advises coastal visitors to check tide times and seek local advice if unsure. Recommended safety guidance includes choosing lifeguarded beaches and swimming between red and yellow flags. In an emergency, the public is reminded to dial 999 and request the Coastguard. If caught in the water, the advice is to Float to Live — meaning to lie back with ears submerged and attempt to control breathing while staying calm until help arrives or it is safe to swim to shore.
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