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A man whose kayak capsized off the County Antrim coast on Friday was rescued after using float-to-live advice, rescuers said.

The man's wife raised the alarm after seeing his kayak capsize off Brown's Bay near Larne at about 20:40 BST.

Coastguard teams from Largs, Ballycastle and Portmuck, RNLI lifeboats and two rescue helicopters were involved in the rescue operation.

The man had been in the water for about an hour and was very cold.

He was found floating on his back and rescued by the inshore lifeboat after rescue teams heard him shouting for help. He was subsequently taken to hospital by ambulance.

The RNLI said the man followed the organisation's , which instructs people who find themselves in the water to lean back, stretch out their arms and legs and catch their breath before calling for help.

Due to the severity of the casualty's condition, Larne RNLI said Rescue 116 helicopter was requested and a paramedic evaluated the man's condition as they awaited the arrival of an ambulance.

Larne RNLI's inshore lifeboat helm Barry Kirkpatrick said: "The casualty's wife did the right thing by calling 999 and asking for the coastguard when she realised he was in difficulty in the water.

"The casualty also did the right thing by floating on his back with his arms stretched out.

"He was floating to live.

"All of the emergency services worked together so well to achieve a positive outcome."

RNLI network commander George Close said: "We do recommend to anyone taking a kayak to sea that you wear a lifejacket, let someone know you are going and when you are due back, and take a phone in a waterproof pouch so you have a way of calling for help.

"If you do get into trouble, then dial 999 and ask for the coastguard."