Swimmers urged to dip at lifeguarded areas only

Water Safety Ireland is appealing to the public to swim at supervised locations only this bank holiday weekend when the risk of drownings will be higher due to a new moon on Thursday, bringing spring tides coast-wide.

New moon phases can cause strong rip currents on all surfing beaches or those with a steep gradient.

‘These can quickly take a person away form shore, which is helpful to a surfer, but can cause tragedy to those who don’t understand them,’ warns WSI.

‘Elsewhere, swim within your depth and stay within your depth,’ they advise.

While the number of drownings is decreasing – 103 in 2018, the lowest since 1939 – WSI urges people to take ‘personal responsibility’ when on or near the water, and to have a ‘healthy attitude’ and to take safety precautions around aquatic environments.

Lifeguards administered first aid over 4,000 times in 2018 and located 300 lost children and rescued another 300 people nationwide.

If you get into difficulty, WSI advises to swim parallel to the shore until you leave a rip current and to swim back ashore immediately.

Strandings will also be a  risk for walkers and mussel pickers as lower tides will expose larger areas of the coastline.

Always carry a mobile phone to call 112 in an emergency and ask for the Coast Guard is the advice.

And parents should provide ‘constant uninterrupted supervision’; 30 children aged fourteen and under have drowned in the past ten years.

‘NEVER use inflatable toys in open water. Those going afloat into deeper water should always wear a lifejacket and carry a portable marine vhf and/or a personal locator beacon.