Every year, nearly a quarter of a million people lose their lives to drowning, according to the World Health Organisation. And in Ireland, an average of ten people drown every month, according to a findings published in the National Drowning Report issued by Water Safety Ireland (WSI). The report also noted that between 2017 and 2021, there were an average 118 drownings per annum, with males making up 70% of the total.
So far this year, the Irish Coast Guard has responded to 1,341 incidents alongside the RNLI, lifeguards, and other emergency services. Before considering any water-based or coastal activity, Minister Lawless, the Coast Guard, Water Safety Ireland and the RNLI all recommend members of the public to ‘PAUSE’.
Plan your activity carefully and what you need to bring along. Tell someone where you’re going, who you will be with and when you are due back.
Always bring a means of effectively communicating your distress, sufficient drinking water and the correct equipment for your activity. Know how to use that equipment in an emergency and always wear a lifejacket or personal flotation device.
Use readily available sources of information to check the weather and tides before heading out for your activity.
Seek help immediately if you or someone you see is possibly in difficulty by calling 999/112 or using VHF Radio – Channel 16 and asking for the Coast Guard.
Enjoy Ireland’s wonderful outdoors safely and act responsibly.
Joanne Walsh, CEO of Water Safety Ireland, Joanna Cullen, Assistant Secretary, Irish Coast Guard and Linda-Gene Byrne, RNLI Regional Water Safety Lead, make public appeals to ‘PAUSE’ on World Drowning Prevention Day (25 July 2024).
Kevin Whitney, Irish Coast Guard’s Operations Manager, said that planning and preparing for all activities will contribute to a safer time on the water; “check the weather forecast or beach tides, have a correctly fitted Personal Flotation Device (PFD) and means to call for assistance, such as a VHF radio, mobile phone, or Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)”.
Roger Sweeney, Deputy CEO of Water Safety Ireland, noted: “More than half of accidental drownings were preceded by land-based activities, not by swimming or boating. Mark World Drowning Prevention Day by having a water safety conversation with loved ones about the importance of staying away from edges, wearing a lifejacket when boating or angling from shore, and learning swimming and lifesaving skills.”
Linda-Gene Byrne, RNLI Regional Water Safety Lead, said: “The coast and inland waters will be incredibly busy over the summer holidays, and we want everyone to enjoy their time but to also keep water safety in mind. On World Drowning Prevention Day, we want to remind everyone to remember the ‘float to live’ message.”
Irish Coast Guard, Water Safety Ireland and RNLI representatives come together to raise awareness on World Drowning Prevention Day.
