Safety chiefs warn of drowning risks

People were warned today to be safety conscious when swimming or boating as August has proved the worst month for drowning tragedies.

Water safety chiefs said the incidence of such accidents was unacceptably high, with 131 people losing their lives last year.

Irish Water Safety (IWS) called on the public to stay safe over the forthcoming Bank Holiday weekend.

A spokesman said most deaths are the result of complacency, ignorance of the dangers, a lack of training or a combination of the three factors.

The greatest number of sea and fresh water accidents occur during the summer, mainly in August.

There were 131 drownings last year, 18 fewer than in 2004 and the lowest recorded since 1965 when 117 people drowned. Around 47 of the drownings were believed to be accidental, 21 were undetermined and 63 were believed to be suicides.

“Swimming in the early morning and late at night, without lifeguard supervision, dramatically reduces your chances of being saved if you and your friends get into difficulties,” said an IWS spokesman.

“Cold water and strong currents on the open water require more energy than does swimming in a pool. If you’re not in shape, you might have a hard time making it back to shore.

“Swimming at lifeguarded waterways means you can swim safe in the knowledge that a trained lifesaver is always close by.”

Around 76% of last year’s 47 drownings deemed accidental were male. There were 11 female accidental drownings.

The highest number of accidental drownings occurred among those aged between 20 and 40, with 17 deaths. Statistics showed 14 of these were male and three were female.

Safety chiefs urged parents to watch children constantly as they are often attracted to water. Three children under the age of nine lost their lives in Irish waters last year.

The IWS advised people not to swim one hour either side of high water as the warm water and strong tides can carry jellyfish on to beaches and bathing areas.

It also recommended young children wear protective rubber footwear to avoid a sting from weever fish which are often about in the hours around low-water.

Safety chiefs also urged people to stay vigilant while holidaying abroad as beaches and swimming pools may not be guarded.

People were also advised never to swim or engage in other water sports while unaccompanied.

The IWS said alcohol often plays a factor in adult deaths from drowning or injuries in the water.

In other news today, a new Irish website, www.powerboat.ie was launched as a free online Virtual Boat Club to provide free safety advice to these new boaters from more than 350 experienced Irish Motorboat and Powerboat users.

The club is affiliated to the Irish Sailing Association which is the National Governing Body for Sailing in Ireland.