Agencies issue water safety advice for Bank Holiday Weekend

The Irish Coast Guard, Water Safety Ireland and the RNLI are urging the public to stay safe if planning an activity on or near the water this Bank Holiday weekend.

While air temperatures are warmer, sea and inland water temperatures remain low. This contrast can present a hidden but serious risk of cold-water shock and hypothermia to anyone entering or unexpectedly falling into the water.

Even on warm, sunny days, water temperatures are often below 15°C, cold enough to trigger cold water shock. This sudden reaction can cause involuntary gasping, panic, and loss of breathing control, greatly increasing the risk of drowning.

While a large number of people are expected to visit the coast or inland waterways over the bank holiday weekend, for many this will be their first dip of the season.  Remember to enter the water slowly, splash yourself to acclimatise, keep your dips short and stay within your depth.  Don’t go alone, swim with others, always stay together, and ensure everyone leaves the water safely.

If you’re planning an activity in or on the water, remember:

Check weather and tides before heading out, and carry a means of calling for help such as a fully charged mobile phone

Always wear a correctly fitted and serviced lifejacket or buoyancy aid

Avoid alcohol as it impairs judgement, coordination, and reaction time

Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return

If you fall into the water unexpectedly or get into difficulty, remember:

Float to Live

Stay calm and fight any instinct to panic or thrash around

Tilt your head back, with your ears submerged

Relax and try to breathe normally

Move your hands and feet to help you stay afloat. It’s fine if your legs sink, we all float differently

Once you’ve regained control of your breathing, call for help or raise your hand or swim to safety if you are able

If you see somebody in trouble on the water or along the coast or think that they are in trouble, use marine VHF radio Ch 16 or dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.

Tá Garda Cósta na hÉireann, Sábháilteacht Uisce Éireann agus an RNLI ag tathant ar an bpobal fanacht slán má tá siad chun imeacht amach ar an uisce nó bheith cois uisce  done dheireadh seachtaine Saoire Bainc mhí an Mheithimh.

Cé go bhfuil teocht an aeir tar éis ardú, tá teocht na farraige agus teocht an uisce intíre fós íseal. Tá baol dofheicthe ag baint leis an gcontrárthacht seo, baol tromchúiseach maidir le geit fuar-uisce nó baol hipopiteirme má théann duine isteach san uisce nó má thiteann siad isteach de phleist in uisce.

Fiú amháin ar laethanta te grianmhara, is minic a bhíonn teochtaí uisce faoi bhun 15 ° C; fuar go leor chun geit fuar-uisce a bhaint asat. Nuair a tharlaíonn an t-imoibriú nó freagairt tobann seo, spreagann sé  díogarnach anála ainneonach, chomh maith le scaoll, agus freisin cailltear análú rialta, rud a mhéadaíonn go mór an baol báite.

Go leor de na daoine a bheidh ag triall ar an gcósta nó ar uiscebhealaí intíre thar an deireadh seachtaine saoire bainc, beidh siad ag déanamh a gcéad snámh den séasúr.  Ná dearmad imeacht isteach san uisce go réamhchúiseach, caith cúpla steall uisce ort féin chun imeacht i dtaithí ar an uisce fuar,  ná tum tú féin san uisce ach ar feadh achar gearr agus ná téigh amach thar do dhoimhneacht féin san uisce. Ná téigh i d’aonar, bí ag snámh in éineacht le daoine eile, fanaigí le chéile i gcónaí, agus déan deimhin de go bhfágfaidh gach duine an t-uisce go sábháilte.

Má tá tú ag beartú ar imeacht isteach san uisce nó amach ar an uisce, cuimhnigh:

Fiosraigh an aimsir agus an taoide sula dtéann tú amach, agus beir leat áis chun fios a chuir ar chabhair, mar shampla fón póca lánluchtaithe

Caith seaicéad tarrthála nó áis snámhachta i gcónaí, atá feistithe agus cóirithe i gceart

Seachain alcól toisc go gcuireann sé isteach ar do bhreithiúnas, ar chomhordú agus ar an t-achar a thógann sé ort gníomhú.

Innis do dhuine éigin cá bhfuil tú ag dul agus an t-am go bhfuil súil agat filleadh abhaile

Má thiteann tú isteach san uisce de phlimp nó má bhíonn deacracht agat, cuimhnigh ar na nithe seo:

Snámh ar an Uisce chun fanacht beo

Fan socair agus ná lig don scaoll tú a chuir ag lascadh an uiscey calm and fight any instinct to panic or thrash around

Cuir do cheann siar, leis na cluasa faoin uisce

Tóg go bog é agus déan do dhícheall d’anál a tharraingt go réidh

Bog do lámha agus do chosa chun fanacht ar snámh. Tá sé ceart go leor má théann do chosa faoin uisce, bímid go léir ar snámh ar bhealach difriúil

Nuair a bheidh smacht agat arís ar d’anál, glaoigh ar chabhair nó ardaigh do lámh nó snámh go sábháilte, má tá tú in ann

Má fheiceann tú duine i dtrioblóid ar an uisce nó feadh an chósta nó má cheapann tú go bhfuil siad i dtrioblóid, bain úsáid as raidió mara VHF Ch 16 nó glaoigh ar 999 nó 112 agus cuir fios ar an nGarda Cósta.