Nine-year-old Walter Keeler, from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, used the 'float to live' technique to save himself after a leisure boat accidentally left him and about 20 other British holidaymakers stranded in choppy waters off the coast of Kemer, Turkey, last August. His parents, Elaine and Charles Keeler, watched helplessly from the boat as it moved away prematurely.
Walter's Ordeal at Sea
Walter, now aged ten, recalled the terrifying experience to support the Mirror's 'Save Lives for Sam' water safety campaign. He had been snorkelling with his father during the third stop of a boat trip when the vessel suddenly started its engine and pulled away. Walter said: 'Even though I was scared, I remembered my Rookie Lifeguards lessons, so I flipped onto my back and floated to save my energy. I'd remembered 'don't panic'.'
The water was choppy and muddy, and Walter lost his mask. He described bobbing under the waves several times but remained calm, focusing on steady breathing and floating on his back. The boat had left him and other swimmers behind for about 15 minutes before returning.
Parents' Helplessness
His father, Charles, 44, felt 'sheer panic' when he realised he could not reach his son if anything went wrong. 'I felt absolutely helpless,' he said. Mother Elaine, 44, kept her eyes glued on Walter, watching waves come up over him. She recalled a teenage girl struggling in the water, with a crew member eventually diving in to rescue her but not throwing life jackets to others.
Walter's Lifesaving Training
Walter has been taking swimming lessons at Stoke Mandeville Stadium since October 2020 and swims twice a week with advanced classes. He learned crucial lifesaving and water safety skills through the RLSS UK's Rookie Lifeguard programme, which teaches 8–12-year-olds how to respond to emergencies. His parents credit this training for his ability to stay safe.
Elaine said: 'When he was doing the training, I rolled my eyes when he told me about staying safe in the water again. But when we got home from holiday I could not give a bigger hug to all of those teachers for going over it time again because those were his words: 'I just remember don't panic'.'
Recognition and Water Safety Advice
Walter was awarded RLSS UK's Young Person's Certificate of Commendation for his bravery and self-rescue. Ashley Jones, RLSS UK Head of Water Safety and Education, said: 'Walter's quick thinking and ability to stay calm when sea conditions changed is a testament to the knowledge and skills he learned in RLSS UK's Rookie Lifeguard programme.'
The RNLI's 'Float to Live' advice includes tilting your head back, keeping your airway clear, and gently moving your hands and legs to stay afloat. Jones added: 'Everyone, whether a Rookie Lifeguard or not, should learn to float.'
