A search and rescue operation was mounted on Lough Derg this morning following reports of a person in difficulty in the water.
Watch officers at the Irish Coast Guard’s marine rescue coordination centre on Valentia Island in Kerry tasked the Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat and the Waterford based and search and rescue helicopter.
At 11:30am, the Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat launched from its base at Dromineer in Tipperary and began to makes its way to Youghal Bay. As the lifeboat was launching, volunteers were informed that the person had been recovered from the water and was now ashore at Garrykennedy Harbour. The RNLI crew were requested to continue to the scene.
At 11:37am, the lifeboat arrived at Garrykennedy Harbour and RNLI volunteers with Casualty Care training, including a Nurse Practitioner, assessed the casualty while waiting for the ambulance crew to arrive
The people on board the vessel from which the casualty had entered the water, had immediately recovered the person and administered lifesaving first aid. The casualty had been wearing a lifejacket.
At 11:51am, following a further assessment by ambulance crew, the casualty was deemed well enough to travel to hospital by ambulance. Rescue 117 remained nearby in a holding position ready to land if required.
Once it was confirmed that the casualty did not require urgent transport to hospital, the helicopter was stood down.
Commenting on the callout, Peter Kennedy, Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI, said: “Thankfully, the person who entered the water was wearing their lifejacket and was quickly recovered on board, where they received essential first aid care.
We remind everyone, if you find yourself unexpectedly in the water learn to Float to Live: tilt your head back with your ears submerged, relax and try to breathe normally, move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat. It’s OK if your legs sink, we all float differently. Once your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety.
If you see someone else in trouble in the water, remember Phone, Float, Throw: dial 999 or 112, or use VHF radio Channel 16 and ask for the Coast Guard. Tell the struggling person to Float to Live, throw them something that floats, such as a life ring.”
