Fancy a dip at the beach during a heatwave? How to stay safe in the water this summer

Summer is here, and with it the call of the seaside and open water. But before diving in, there's much to consider, from water temperature and rip currents to your ability to float on your back and stay calm in an emergency

Between 2018 and 2022 there were 578 drownings in Ireland.

As the temperatures rise, many will flock to the beach, with some brave souls even taking to the water. In all the excitement of the good weather, water safety guidelines can be forgotten, yet water is unpredictable and needs to be respected.

A Water Safety Ireland National Drowning Report reveals that between 2018 and 2022 there were 578 drownings in Ireland. Dublin with 107 (18.5%), Cork with 73 (12.6%), and Galway with 60 (10.4%) were the three counties with the highest drowning burden in those years.