By Roisin Henderson
AFTER yet another heartbreaking tragedy on the water over the weekend, those taking a dip in the water this summer are being urged to always be wary of the dangers.
On Saturday, seven-year-old Alan Singh sadly passed away after getting into difficulty in the water off Lissadell Beach in Sligo.
The tragedy came just a week after teenagers Emmanuel Familola and Matt Sibanda died after getting into difficulty in Lough Swilly near Buncrana.
The weather may be due to become fresher this week, but with many hopeful of a hot summer ahead, the RNLI have issued safety advice to help prevent further tragedies on the water.
Whether you’re swimming or using a watercraft, or inland on a lake or out on the coast, there are a number of steps you can take to protect yourself.
“We want people to be aware of the dangers, to know their limits and to not take risks,” said Linda-Gene Byrne, RNLI water safety lead.
“For example, always wear a lifejacket or flotation device, always carry a means to call for help in a waterproof pouch, and always tell someone where you are going and when you are due back.
“Always check the weather forecast before venturing out, and if by the sea, check tide times too.”
Vitally, everyone should also know how to float in an emergency.
“Tides can go in and out very rapidly in some areas, causing people to become cut off, or quickly out of their depth – so find out the times of high and low tides before you set off,” said Ms Byrne.
“Rip currents, which are channels of fast-flowing water running out to sea, can be difficult to spot and can catch out even the most confident and prepared swimmers.
“If you find yourself being swept out to sea in a rip, stay calm – don’t panic.
“If you can stand, wade. Don’t try to swim. Raise your hand and shout for help loudly.
“Don’t swim directly against the rip or you’ll get exhausted. Swim parallel to the beach until free of the rip, then make for shore.”
She added, “If you find yourself unexpectedly in the water and in difficulty, know how to Float to Live.
“The best way to do this is to tilt your head back with your ears submerged. Try to relax and breathe normally. You can gently move your hands to help you stay afloat if you need to.
“Spread your arms and legs out to improve stability – and 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 in trouble or get into difficulty yourself, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.
Related posts:
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)