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AN EXHAUSTED SWIMMER who could not get back to shore at Dublin’s Forty Foot was rescued by Dun Laoghaire RNLI.
The volunteer lifeboat crew was called to the incident yesterday after it was reported to the Irish Coast Guard.
The lifeboat was launched shortly before 3:30pm and the swimmer was located about five minutes later.
The casualty was discovered exhausted and holding on to rocks about 50 metres southeast of the Forty Foot.
The person was brought onboard the boat and a casualty care assessment revealed that long exposure to the sea had left them very cold, but they were otherwise in good health.
The person was taken ashore at Sandycove Harbour, where they were assessed by the National Ambulance Service.
Mark McGibney of Dun Laoghaire RNLI said the crew are very happy that the outcome of the call-out was a positive one.
“I would like to ask everyone planning on entering the water to check the weather and sea conditions at the time and to never underestimate the sea,” he said.
The sun may be shining and air temperatures rising but the Irish sea temperature in our area is just above seven degrees at this time of year.
“Please be aware that cold water shock is always a risk for people in Irish waters even as we come into the summer,” he added.
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Ya don’t see the fish out walking around the beach so ya.
Are people mad in the head.if you are going swimming make sure that you do not go alone
@Mike Heelan: maybe it was the swimmer’s companion who alerted the rescue services? In any event many wouldn’t be able to enjoy a swim if they were relying on others to accompany them, people swimming alone is rarely a problem if it’s in a popular swimming spot. Regular swimmers know exactly how to deal with the conditions, people who hop in at the first sign of sunshine are a much bigger problem.
A bit like the Taoiseach totally out of his depth
@Wayne Scales: zzzzzzz
@Wayne Scales: groan
oooooooffff
@Wayne Scales: According to official polls 10% of people think he isn’t!
I’m guessing this person is elderly, 50 meters out from shore shouldn’t leave an experienced or younger swimmer exhausted. It’s a good outcome from what could have been a tragedy & at least they had the know about to get to the rocks. Personally I don’t get the need to go outside my depth but everyone to their own. I hope that person makes a full recovery & fair play to the RNLI for acting swiftly again, unknown hero’s.
@Danny McCarthy: If the water is too cold and they dont have the right suit on them or whatever, your body can go into shock and it feels like your paralyzed. It would take all your strength just to move your limbs. Thats why so many experienced swimmers drown.
@Pauline Gallagher: if you’re experienced swimming at this time of year, shock shouldn’t be an issue, it’s actually very warm compared to a couple of months ago. Likely someone not used to it or elderly, there are people out in January with frost on the ground, it comes down to understanding your limits and if you’re inexperienced or having your first dip of the year, stay close to shore and possibly use an inflatable buoy.
@Danny McCarthy: It almost certainly wasn’t an experienced cold water open water swimmer but of course it could be a young person. If an inexperienced swimmer got caught in an ebbing current and got pulled South and was threading water then the cold would quickly drain the ability to stroke efficiently and the best they could do is hang on to rocks. This would be true of a 21 year old inexperienced swimmer as much as an elderly person.
@Padraig O’M: sea temperatures at this time of year are actually at their coldest. They lag behind temperatures on land. Even in April, they’re the same as January on average.
The long held rule is – that you should NEVER go swimming before Whit Sunday.
Waters too cold, it can cause paralysis, why are people so adventurous?
@Pauline Gallagher: because they are adventurous
@Pauline Gallagher: climb in under the bed there Pauline with a cycling helmet on, we’ll give you a shout when it’s safe to come out. Might be a while now, mind.
@Pseud O’Nym: Funny. Youre a funny guy.
Muppet
Well done to the rescuers
@Sean Ryan: why “muppet’?
Some load of cold water casualty rescue experts here! Some of the comments are priceless… The use of the words ‘probably’ and ‘assuming’ -especially when we have no idea of the casualty’s demographic or water experience. Keep going lads, you’re priceless.
Man, woman, old, young or are we not allowed to know.
@Páid Ó Donnchú: a man (or woman) between 10- 90
@Páid Ó Donnchú: you don’t need to know.
Hope he learned a lesson, draining valuable resources
@Jonathan: isn’t that what they’re there for?
Patrick?
Swimmers wet suit this time of year, allows you to be in the water for extended periods this time of year and adds a good level of buoyancy. Hypothermia is a creeper it can be hard for a swimmer to recognise when they’re in the water.
Look up the lone swimmer, Irish open water swimmer. He doesn’t wear a wet suit but some of his stories/accounts about the onset of Hypothermia are interesting.
From personal experience in open water swimming people should wear a swimmers wet suit at this time of year.
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