Ahern urges safety in water over weekend

KEEP water fun. That’s the direct message to bathers and aquatic enthusiasts over the August bank holiday weekend — a period in which on average three people drown every year.

Each person in small, open marine craft must wear life jackets under new regulations to be drawn up by Marine Minister Dermot Ahern. He also proposes that life jackets be carried for everyone aboard the country’s estimated 7,000 marine leisure craft.

In its safety message, the Irish Water Safety Association advises people taking part in water pursuits that they should not mix them with alcohol, but wait until afterwards to have their drink. Last year 37% of drownings involved the consumption of alcohol.

“It is the Irish person who transforms from being an infrequent aquatic enthusiast into a bank holiday aquatic-based devotee who is at greatest risk of drowning this coming weekend,” said IWSA chief executive John Leech.

“This infrequent exposure, combined with the casual manner in which adventurous types take to aquatic pursuits during bank holiday celebrations, has led to tragedy,” he said. “An analysis over a five-year period indicates that three lives are tragically lost to drowning every year over the August bank holiday.”

Children are particularly vulnerable to preventable aquatic injuries and death. In the last 10 years, 82 under-14s drowned accidentally.

The IWSA says wings and other inflatable toys should not be used in open water. Enrolling children in water safety classes means they are more likely to act safely and responsibly.

People taking part in water activities need to know the risks and get adequate safety knowledge, according to the IWSA.

The association urges people to:

* Swim at life-guarded beaches.

* Only drink alcohol AFTER enjoying your aquatic activity.

* Always wear a life jacket when you are on, in or around water.

* Learn the safety rules applicable to your pursuit.

* If you are bathing in open water, swim parallel and close to the shore and never alone.

Minister Ahern’s department is broadcasting a series of advertisements on local radio to reinforce the water safety message.

* Further information: www.iws.ie and www.safetyonthewater.ie.