University expert featured in podcast marking 200 years of RNLI

To mark the RNLI’s bicentenary on 4 March 2024, the charity has been speaking with inspiring people as part of its new 200 Voices podcast.

Since it launched on Friday 18 August, an episode has been released every day until the anniversary, exploring captivating stories from the charity’s history, through to modern day.

Guests include brave lifesavers, grateful survivors, selfless volunteers, kind supporters, fascinating experts and more.

A University of Portsmouth expert who has worked closely with the RNLI has been chosen to feature in an upcoming episode today (Tuesday 31 October).

Professor Mike Tipton from the University’s School of Psychology, Sport and Health Sciences has spent four decades working on thermoregulation, environmental and occupational physiology, and the selection, preparation and protection of those who enter extreme environments.

His research within the Extreme Environments Laboratories (EEL) examines what happens to the human body when it is exposed to heat and cold and how to acclimatise people to extreme temperatures. 

One of the most impactful areas of his research lies in his work on drowning prevention with colleagues within the EEL. Their efforts have given rise to 'Respect the Water', a national water safety campaign initiated by the RNLI in 2014.

The campaign has successfully increased public understanding of the importance of floating as a primary survival behaviour in water-related emergencies.

The University team has also provided expert guidance and insight for the charity’s recent ‘Float to Live’ campaign.

Ahead of his upcoming podcast episode, Professor Tipton said: “It is an honour to be invited to talk about the RNLI and our work with them over 40 years. As a scientist, seeing your work taken by a fantastic organisation like the RNLI and used to save lives worldwide is incredibly humbling but also very rewarding.”

The RNLI has been saving lives at sea since it was founded in 1824 and, in that time, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 144,000 lives. 

Funded by voluntary donations, and with lifeboats crewed by specially-trained volunteers, the RNLI is a truly unique rescue organisation with a remarkable 200-year story to tell – many highlights of which are shared through the podcast.

The series heard from celebrity ambassadors such as The Sixth Commandment actor Timothy Spall, Gavin and Stacey actress Ruth Jones, Irish musician Phil Coulter, gold medal Olympian Sir Ben Ainslie and BAFTA-winning actress Joanna Scanlan.

The unique podcast series will also hear from people whose lives have been touched by the lifesaving charity, including Milena Smith, whose daughter Mabel was rescued by Barmouth lifeboat volunteers; Radio Caroline DJ, Nick Richards, who stuck with the pirate radio ship until its last moments and Niamh Fitzpatrick, whose sister Dara tragically lost her life in the 2017 Irish Coast Guard Rescue helicopter 116 crash.

RNLI Strategic Content Manager, Rory Stamp said: “We knew we had to do something really special to mark the RNLI’s 200th anniversary, which is such a monumental milestone.

“200 Voices is an incredible collection of stories that are emotive, powerful, inspiring and heart-warming. The series gives us a chance to hear from a whole variety of amazing people who have played a part in or been touched by our lifesaving charity.”

Listen to Professor Tipton’s episode on the RNLI’s 200 Voices podcast and others, wherever you get your podcasts or at RNLI.org/200Voices.

Find out more about the Extreme Environments Laboratories research and partnerships at port.ac.uk/about-us/our-facilities.