Join Water Safety Ireland

Did you know that on average 110 people drown in Ireland each year? Most of these tragic deaths happen inland, in rivers and lakes, on farms and in and around homes and these accidents are preventable.

By becoming a member of Water Safety Ireland (WSI) you can help aid us in our goal to prevent such tragic drowning. You are very welcome to become a member of WSI. Doing so will give you a number of opportunities to help us reduce the number of tragic drownings in Ireland. Education and promotion are key elements to reducing drownings and your membership can take either route or a combination of both.

Become a Volunteer Member

If you feel like giving something back to your community in terms of teaching swimming, lifesaving or promoting water safety messages to the public at exhibitions, schools, colleges and many other events, please contact the Secretary of the WSI Water Safety Area Committee (WSAC) in your area. There are 30 WSACs in counties nationwide, including one for members of the Defence Forces and one for members of the Garda Siochana. By joining a local WSAC you will have an opportunity to meet others who have a genuine interest in reducing drownings by increasing awareness of best practises, not only in the teaching of swimming and lifesaving classes but also in the development of local promotional activities to raise general water safety awareness in your community. If you have any difficulties, you can contact the Secretary of your Local Water Safety Area through the Local Contacts section of this website.

Become a Franchise Member

Like others, you may wish to join WSI so that you can avail of our insurance for Swimming Teachers and you may also have an interest in delivering a series of other WSI Awards. Contact us for details of the necessary prerequisites such as signing up to and agreeing to abide by the WSI Code of Ethics and Garda Vetting. Get in touch here.

Whatever route you decide to take, your decision to join and to help us educate and promote water safety to the general public will, in the long term, help to reduce the number of drownings nationwide. Take your first step to helping others avoid becoming a drowning statistic.

Necessary Criteria for a Franchise Contract with WSI

The following items are necessary for application (Please send scanned documents):

  1. Please complete the Franchise application form here (Choose Franchise option)
  2. Completed NVB 1 Invitation for online vetting. Verification of identity is necessary for this step. Please see our Vetting Policy
  3. Copies of relevant qualifications.

Important Information

Please note:

  1. Submission of all items listed is required before the membership process can begin.
  2. Proof of verification of your ID is required when submitting your vetting invitation. Please scan and send ID used along with scanned NVB 1 Invitation (Garda Vetting).
  3. We are required by law to vet prospective members. Unfortunately, no information can be exchanged between organisations. If you have undergone a vetting procedure with another organisation, you are still required to undergo vetting with WSI.
  4. We are required by law to request a Child Safeguarding Statement. These are to be reviewed annually and sent to us for our records.
  5. Franchise Registration fee is €30 per annum or €100 for five years.

Garda Vetting

Water Safety Ireland require all prospective members to be Garda Vetted.

The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act commenced on the 29th of April 2016 and  provides a legislative basis for the mandatory vetting of persons who wish to undertake certain work or activities relating to children or vulnerable persons or to provide certain services to children or vulnerable persons.

Unfortunately no information can be exchanged between organisations.  Vetting disclosures from other organisations will not be taken into consideration.