Water Safety

• learn swimming and lifesaving skills (including CPR)
• stay within your depth
• get instructions from approved training providers
• when entering the water ensure you are experienced or you are with somebody who is experienced
• inform others on shore of your plans and time of return
• note the nearest ringbuoy in case of emergency
• do not drink before swimming
• swim at designated lifeguarded waterways and beaches, between the flags, where possible
• follow all orders from lifeguards
• pay attention to signs at lifeguarded areas
• ask locals and lifeguards for advice in unfamiliar areas
• always wear a correctly fitting lifejacket

Each year, children die in drowning accidents in or near their home. Children are most at risk because they feel that their house is safe but there are many dangers.

Remember drowning can occur in very shallow water, including barrels, ponds, wells or septic tanks.

Know the dangers in your home:

• make sure that children are always supervised at bath time
• empty baths after use
• keep bath plugs out of reach
• keep children away from washing machines
• keep children away from large, open containers of water

You should also know the dangers around the home:

• fence off any rivers, streams or drains running near the home
• supervise playtime in paddling pools
• empty paddling pools immediately after use
• close any exposed holes or drains after building work
• fence in private swimming pools
• swimming pools should have covers that can be firmly secured
• keep away from slurry pits
• cover rain barrels, water tanks, wells and fish ponds with wire mesh or metal grids

The Coast Guard has overall responsibility for coordinating Search and Rescue at sea, on Ireland’s coast and on designated inland waterways. The Coast Guard also assists with inland search and rescue and provides a 24/7 service.

Coast Guard services can be contacted

• by dialling 112/999 and asking for the Coast Guard
• by Marine VHF radio
• by activating a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or Electronic Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)

All those planning to go to sea on any craft are urged to carry marine VHF equipment as the primary means of distress and safety communication. Carrying an EPIRB and/or PLB as a backup is strongly advised. Mobile telephones should NOT be considered as a suitable substitute.

Before considering any water-based or coastal activity during the summer months, the Coast Guard recommends that you ‘PAUSE.’

Plan what you are doing, where you are going, what clothing you need, and tell someone where you’re going, with who and when you’ll return

Always bring a means of communicating in an emergency, enough water and the right equipment. Know how to use your equipment in an emergency and always wear a Personal Flotation Device/Lifejacket when near or on the water.

Use information to check the conditions in advance

Seek help immediately if you or someone you observe is possibly in difficulty by calling 999/112 or using VHF Radio Ch: 16 and asking for the Coast Guard.

Enjoy the outdoors safely and act responsibly.

Remember - if in doubt shout.

Know what to do in dangerous situations.

• if you see someone in difficulty dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard
• you, your family and your friends can learn water safety swimming, lifesaving and rescue skills at www.watersafety.ie
• you cannot tell the depth of a hole if it is full of water
• wear suitable clothing, such as a wet suit or warm waterproof clothing
• shore and beach walkers should stay away from the edge and be vigilant to the dangers of stranding by incoming tides
• always carry a mobile phone. In an emergency, call 112 or 999 and ask for the Coast Guard
• check the weather forecast and time of tides
• never enter the water at night
• do not use inflatable toys in open water or swim out after anything drifting

• know the tides and be conscious of currents
• swim at designated bathing areas where lifeguards are on duty. See listings here.
• if there are no designated bathing areas near you, then swim at known safe traditional bathing areas where there are ringbuoys
• always ensure that the ringbuoy is in its yellow box before entering the water
• make sure that the edges are shallow shelving so that you can safely and easily enter and exit the water
• never jump or dive in case of hidden hazards
• stay within your depth
• if caught in a rip current, remain calm and swim parallel to shore until free
• swim for short periods as cold water can cause disorientation and hypothermia which weakens your muscles
• never pressure people to take risks
• learn to use equipment before trying it out
• enter cool water slowly to prevent cold shock
• never swim when you are hot or tired
• don’t swim in quarries, ESB reservoirs and tail races

The dangers of cold water immersion

When cold water makes contact with your skin, the cold shock response causes an immediate loss of breathing control, possible dizziness and panic. This dramatically increases the risk of sudden drowning even if the water is calm and you know how to swim. For those who survive this but are unable to get out of the water, progressive body cooling leads to hypothermia and muscle cooling, making swimming more difficult or impossible. Children are at a greater risk than adults because they are smaller.

What to do if you fall in to cold water

Stay calm and relax. Don't waste energy. Float or tread water and if possible get as much of your body out of the water. To lessen heat escape keep your legs together and elbows by your side.

Coastal walks present a high risk of stranding as people may become trapped by the tide. Avoid sandbanks and keep children at a safe distance from the edges of rivers, canals and inland waterways. Water temperatures can be cold, which puts people at risk of cold shock and hypothermia if suddenly immersed. For more information about symptoms, prevention and follow up hypothermia techniques go to www.watersafety.ie

• stand back from the shore edge and establish voice contact with the person, shouting ‘Kick your legs!’
• look for the nearest ringbuoy (yellow box)
• secure the end of the rope or hold it in your hand
• holding the ringbuoy, swing back, then release forward with an underarm throw, shouting ‘Ringbuoy! Ringbuoy! Ringbuoy!’
• aim beyond the person, so the ringbuoy can be pulled into their grasp
• instruct the person to hold the ringbuoy, and slowly pull them to land
• get others to help you, if available

Report missing ringbuoys to your Local Authority or Harbour Master.

Rips are strong currents that start near the shore and rush out seaward, quickly taking you out of your comfort zone, from the shallows to deeper water.

Rip currents are particularly dangerous for weak or non-swimmers. They typically form at low spots or breaks in sandbars, and also near structures like groynes, jetties and piers.

How to identify rip currents

• a channel of churning, choppy, green, deeper water
• an area having a notable difference in water colour, normally dark green or blue in sunshine
• a line of foam, seaweed, or debris moving steadily seaward
• a break in the incoming wave pattern

Rip currents are often not readily or easily identifiable to the average beachgoer. Polarized sunglasses make it easier to see the rip currents. Ask a lifeguard for advice.

Remember: Green water is mean; white water is nice.

Tips for surviving a rip current

• if caught in a rip current, remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly
• do not swim against the current. Swim parallel to the shoreline until you manage to get out of the current, then swim towards the shore
• if you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water until you float free and can swim towards shore
• if you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself by facing the shore and calling for help
• if you see someone in trouble, get help from a lifeguard. If a lifeguard is not available, call 999 or 112
• throw the rip current victim something that floats and yell instructions on how to escape
• remember, many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current

Water Safety Information is translated into Irish, Belarusian, Chinese, Czech, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Romanian and Slovakian. See watersafety.ie

Water quality

Bathers should check the EPA’s bathing water website to find out which beaches have safe water quality. The website shares the latest information on over 200 bathing waters sampled by local authorities during the bathing water season, which runs from 1st June to 15th September. Information on weather, tides and amenities are also available.