Open-water swimmers warned to be careful after spike in calls to emergency services

Swimmers are being warned to be careful if taking to open water. It comes after a spike in calls to emergency services in recent weeks. Picture: Denis Minihane

Swimmers craving the freedom of the open sea have been urged to take extra precautions after a spike in calls to emergency services in recent weeks.

A number of incidents in relation to open-water swimming are resulting in increased demands being placed on search and rescue organisations, including the coastguard and RNLI, the bodies said.