The public are being encouraged to take extra precautions around water this summer by downloading the free what3words app in advance.

Waterside emergencies often happen in locations with no address, such as beaches, riverbanks, reservoirs or long stretches of beach; this can make it difficult for callers to describe exactly where they are. In these moments, precious time and resources can be wasted in finding the person in need of help. At best, this can be frustrating, but at worst, it loses crucial minutes that are the difference between life and death.

what3words has given every 3m square in the world a unique 3-word address. ///kite.chats.dine, for example, will take you to a precise spot in a field next to the River Ouse in York. The app is free to download for both iOS and Android. We encourage everybody to be prepared and download the app now,

If you see someone in trouble by the water, call 999 immediately. Using a what3words address as a method to help emergency services know exactly where to send help. Most 999 contact centres in the UK are accepting what3words addresses but you can check out the full list here.

Get involved in #KnowExactlyWhere Week 27 July - 2 August 2020

We’re supporting UK emergency services by helping them to spread awareness of the what3words app as a life-saving tool - and we need your support!

Create a what3words address selfie to show you #KnowExactlyWhere.

Create the selfie whilst exploring our parks using what3words’ in-app photo feature and share it on your social media using and tag @RLSSUK & @what3words .

Simply follow these step-by-step instructions to get started:

1. Head out to a explore a hard-to-describe location in our parks
2. Snap a pic as if you’re holding an invisible sign (get creative!)
3. Use the what3words app photo feature to place the what3words address in your hands
4. Share to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and tag friends who should get the what3words app. Here’s some suggested wording for your post, or feel free to write your own:

I’m helping RLSS UK & emergency services by using the @what3words app. This makes it easier for 999 to find the exact location of a waterside emergency. Get prepared to #BeALifeSaver by downloading the app and sharing a what3words address selfie to show you #KnowExactlyWhere.