As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, water activities continue throughout the year, bringing increased risks.
It’s crucial to understand how your body reacts to cold water and to stay alert to hazards such as cold-water shock, rip currents and hidden depths caused by localised flooding.
That’s the message from the latest joint water safety appeal from the Irish Coast Guard, Water Safety Ireland and RNLI for this October Bank Holiday weekend.
Among their advice, they urge anyone taking part in activities on, in or near the water to always carry a reliable way to communicate, check weather and tide updates, and let someone know your plans before heading out.
For those partaking in open water swimming, the following safety guidelines are of the utmost importance:
- Plan ahead: Review weather forecasts, tide schedules and wave conditions. Pack warm clothing and a hot drink for after your swim. Keep a mobile phone in a waterproof case.
- Don’t swim alone: Always swim with a companion and inform someone of your intended route and return time.
- Ease in gradually: Enter the water slowly to help your body adjust and reduce the risk of cold-water shock.
- Make yourself visible: Wear a brightly coloured swim cap and consider using a tow float for added visibility.
- Know your limits: Stay within a depth you're comfortable with and swim parallel to the shore.
- Rip current awareness: If caught in a rip current, stay calm. Swim parallel to the shore to escape or float to conserve energy.
- Keep someone informed: Share your swimming plan, location, and expected return time with someone on land.
- Remember, if you find yourself in difficulty in the water, Float to Live.
If you see somebody in trouble on the water or along the coast or think that they are in trouble, use Marine VHF Channel 16 or dial 112 and ask for the coastguard.
