THE family of two young Wirral girls almost swept away by the tide during a holiday will get to thank those who came to their rescue at a special event today.

Milena Smith is convinced eldest daughter Mabel, 12, is only alive today thanks to her sister Elsie, 10, frantically shouting instructions to float as she was being swept away by the tide during a holiday in Barmouth, Wales on Wednesday, August 3 this year.

Elsie had learned about the RNLI's Float to Live advice during swimming lessons at school, and her parents are eternally grateful this knowledge about floating 'like a starfish' was passed on to her big sister during the terrifying ordeal.

The family had been on holiday in the area and were enjoying a day on the beach when it almost ended in tragedy.

Milena Smith and her family have made the emotional journey back to Barmouth to say thank you to the RNLI and HM Coastguard search and rescue experts who came to Mabel and Elsie's aid.

Pictures of the family with rescuers will be released after the meeting today.

Milena, originally from Poland but now living with her family in Birkenhead, said: "One minute the girls, who can swim, were playing in the sea up to their waist, it seemed so lovely and calm.

"There were lots of people swimming. Very quickly, the girls started heading further and further out and screaming loudly. It was like a scene from a nightmare, I can't swim and just felt so helpless.

"My husband went in and managed to get to my youngest daughter, who thankfully started to feel sand beneath her feet as she had reached a sandbank, but my eldest Mabel was completely out of sight.

"I was in such a state of panic. My English is very good but I found myself lacking vocabulary for technical terms, especially not living by the sea.

"I called 999 and asked for the Coastguard and I have nothing but praise for the call handler who was so calming and helped me to pinpoint exactly where Mabel had entered the water.

"It was so reassuring to see the lifeboat heading out there.

"I can't believe the float advice is not taught to children everywhere, it’s a vital skill everyone should learn as you never know when you may need it.

"As a non-swimmer at my age, this has promoted me to now learn how to swim. I'm just so grateful Elsie has heard this advice or our holiday could have ended very differently and it doesn’t bear thinking about."

HM Coastguard had received multiple 999 calls from concerned members of the public reporting three people in the water at Barmouth.

Barmouth RNLI's inshore lifeboat was launched to search and rescue the three, alongside Barmouth and Aberdovey coastguard rescue teams and the coastguard helicopter from Caernarfon – with teams aware that time was critical.

The RNLI volunteer crew quickly reached Mabel, who was calmly floating on her back but had drifted a quarter of a mile out to sea in a fast, outgoing tide.

Mabel quickly informed the lifeboat crew that her sister Elsie was still in the water, unaware that Elsie and their dad had managed to return to shore on their own.

This was quickly cleared up, with the help of the coastguard rescue teams on the beach, as all members of the family were confirmed as safe.

Mabel was taken back to the boathouse, where she was checked over by the helicopter paramedic before being reunited with her family.

Daryl James, RNLI volunteer at Barmouth who was onboard the lifeboat said: "When you get the call to people in the water there is a massive sense of urgency as it really can be a life or death situation.

"When we arrived, the young girl, who despite her serious predicament had remained calm and was floating on her back with waves breaking over her."

Ben Hillier, HM Coastguard maritime operations officer who co-ordinated the rescue and was on the phone to Milena throughout, said: "I took the call and I could hear the panic in her voice – it was clear she was very worried.

"Alongside getting the details of what was going on and where our help was needed, I knew I needed to calm her down as well – so I kept telling her to describe what she could see, and keep her focused on talking to me.

"I was talking to her for more than half an hour, keeping her calm and providing as many updates as possible so it felt very good when both daughters were found safe and well and that we had a hand in helping that happen.

"I am delighted to get the opportunity to meet the family – and Milena, a voice I came to know so well – face-to-face.’

The RNLI advice is "Float to Live" should anyone find themselves in trouble on the water. This means leaning back and spreading your arms and legs to stay afloat, controlling your breathing, then calling for help or swimming to safety. In a coastal emergency, call 999 or 112 for the Coastguard, or the fire and rescue service if you are inland.

Daryl James, RNLI volunteer crew adds: "We are incredibly grateful to the family for making the trip back to Barmouth today, by sharing their story, the float advice will hopefully save more lives.

"It is humbling for us all to meet with the family, especially for our volunteer Kyle Smith - it was actually his first rescue as a helm and indeed quite a dramatic one."