Four people had to be rescued by the Bundoran RNLI over the weekend after getting caught in rip currents off Main Beach. In two separate incidents, three teenagers and a man were plucked from the water and brought to safety by the volunteer crew.
The RNLI were alerted to the first incident, involving the three teenagers, when members of the public raised the alarm. The Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 118 from Sligo, the Gardai and the National Ambulance Service were also tasked. The crew managed to guide the teenagers to nearby rocks and they were later checked over by ambulance paramedics and found to be safe and well.
As the volunteers were returning to shore, they received a call from the Malin Head Coast Guard alerting them to a second incident. A man had got caught in a rip current off Main Beach and was struggling in the conditions. The crew immediately diverted to the scene and managed to rescue the man from the water. He was given casualty care on the lifeboat and back on the pier until the arrival of an ambulance. The casualty was then transferred to hospital for further treatment.
“This was a challenging service for our crew today responding to back-to-back calls that resulted in a life saved and the rescue of three others,” said Daimon Fergus, Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager. “While we are enjoying some beautiful late summer sunshine, we are also experiencing some strong waves at sea. With the warm weather forecast for much of this week, we want to remind everyone to stay safe while visiting the coast and to be aware of the dangers. Main Beach is notorious for rip currents so we would urge people to be mindful of that.”
Fergus also offered advice on what to do if caught in a rip current, stating, “If you do find yourself in a rip current, do not swim against it or you will get exhausted. If you can, stand up and wade, or swim parallel to the shore until you are free of the rip, then head to shore. If you can, raise your hand and call for help – and remember, to Float to Live if you can’t make it back or become too tired. To do this, tilt your head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control your breathing. Use your hands to help you stay afloat and call for help or swim to safety if you can.”