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THE IRISH COAST Guard, the RNLI and Water Safety Ireland have issued a joint call urging people to take basic precautions to stay safe in and on the water or along the coastline this bank holiday weekend.
The organisations said there has been a seasonable increase in the overall number of search and rescue incidents with activity levels similar to recent years.
They are urging anyone involved in sea kayaking and similar activities in particular to make sure they receive proper training before going on the water, to carry a reliable means of calling for help and to tell someone where they are going and what time they will be back.
For those planning on heading out on the water or visiting the coast, the organisations have outlined a few steps to take in advance:
People planning on heading out to swim are being asked to consider wearing a wetsuit to stay warm as water temperatures are still cold at this time of year, making cold water shock a danger.
They should also wear a bright swimming cap and consider using a tow float to increase their visibility.
The organisations said it’s also important to acclimatise slowly when entering the water.
They also stressed that someone should always monitor a swimmer’s activity while they’re in the water, and urged people never to swim alone.
“It is important to have a means of communication if engaging in any water based activity,” Irish Coast Guard operations manager Micheál O’Toole said.
“When boating, carry a VHF radio, backed up by flares PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) or EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon). Never solely rely on a mobile phone.”
He added that prior to undertaking any boat activity, people should ensure that their equipment is fit for purpose and that a shore-based contact is aware of your plans and how long you will be on the water.
Kevin Rahill, RNLI Water Safety Lead also advised people to check their equipment and to get their lifejackets serviced annually.
“Not everyone intends to end up in the water. If you fall in unexpectedly, remember to ‘Float to Live’ – lie on your back and spread your arms and legs, gently moving them to keep afloat,” he said.
“Keep floating until you feel your breath coming back before calling for help or swimming ashore if nearby.”
Water Safety Ireland’s acting CEO Roger Sweeney cautioned that muscle cooling due to hypothermia is a factor in many drownings.
“Swim within your depth and keep it short as warm air does not mean warm water, especially in May. Children require close, constant, uninterrupted supervision. When shoreline walking, beware of being stranded by incoming tides,” he said.
He added that many recently arrived Ukrainians have never visited a beach and are unfamiliar with stranding risks, and asked that people keep them safe by reaching out in their community with the translated advice on Water Safety Ireland’s website.
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Hopefully he won’t and leo won’t be taoiseach again
Wishful thinking maby
We can dare to dream
@Richarddoherty: He says he is committed to the continuation of the unprecedented coalition. Lol, of course he is, it’s the only thing he hasn’t spoofed about.
Sorry what support , like we didn’t bail out the banks either , clinging to power at all costs
@Willie Bill Bryan: Remember his spoof attack on Fine Gael policies just before the last election, he somehow thought we had forgotten that his party had propped up Fine Gael in the “confidence & supply” deal for the previous five years whereby they supported every motion FG put before the Dail.
“Fine Gael need to come out of government, they’ve been there too long, they haven’t delivered on key issues such as housing, health and the impact of cost of living on many people.”
“The people want a new government. That means a completely new government”
Michael Martin January 2020.
@Declan Doherty: That’s it, he also accused FG of behaving in a “Jekyll & Hyde” manner to the electorate!!! The neck of him, he’s the looney Jekyll & Hyde character of Irish politics. He’d sell his granny.
@Declan Doherty: and he said he kept getting the same message on the doorsteps that voters wanted FG out of government. He then goes into government with then as equals.he just wanted the gig as taoiseach. He doesn’t really care about housing and the other issues
Martin is delusional. And as for Leo, I don’t see how we can accept a leak and a proven lia_r as Taoiseach. A week is a long time in politics and we have a long time to go before these changes happen.
Martin and Leo will more than likely retire by next General Election, live off their pension and perks, in the mean time they’ll take what ever they can and not give a fiddlers….
Dustin the turkey has better leadership skills and would do a better job than Mehole.
The problem is this current rainbow, is going to hand Sinn Fein, if they do get in a very poisonous chalice. I can see Micheál surviving a heave although Leo might be pushed under a bus as well although he has a few that will take the hit for him. When the dust settles and the covid bill has to be paid then we will see, who can make lemon curd toast not taste bitter.
@Twitruser2021: that why they’re throwing money around like confetti so the country will be well and truly broke when sinn Fein win the next election the mess will need a big shake to get the repayments in and the middle don’t have it any more
@Twitruser2021: Leo could be out after investigation of his leak. Also damaged by Dublin Bay South carry on.
@Peter McGlynn: That’s not going to happen Peter. Those guys are untouchable.
Peaky blinders!
The problem is this current rainbow, is going to hand Sinn Fein, if they do get in a very poisonus chalice. I can see Micheál surviving a heave although Leo might be pushed under a bus as well although he has a few that will take the hit for him. When the dust settles and the covid bill has to be paid then we will see, who can make lemon curd toast not taste bitter.
Michael gets a Taoiseach’s pension before he loses the next election and gets fired out by the rest of his buddies and rent-a-gob Leo “leading the nation” as Taoiseach into another election which might get him personally by the fifth count again!
Dead man walking …we got a dead man walking here.
@BK: looking more than likely its gonna be an inside job that’s gonna take him out. Every press conference it gets worse and worse. Remember the whole “The banks weren’t bailed out”…
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