National Water Safety Awareness Week takes place from June 13th – June 19th 2022. During the week, our national campaign will communicate important water safety messages to the Irish public. Our central theme for this year is ‘Heed Our Heroes’ – reminding us all to listen to the advice of Ireland’s lifeguards and take necessary care when on, near or in water.
Our commitment to water safety and drowning prevention is as strong as ever and we have developed a number of resources that can be shared by you if you would like to support our cause. As well as featuring across media throughout Ireland, our social media channels will also share the material throughout the week. Now is the time to make water safety a part of your conversations with family and friends alike.
HEED OUR HEROES
On beaches, rivers and lakes, lifeguards are getting ready for a busy summer. You can help by getting ready too. From hazards at inland and coastal waterways to the danger of inflatables in open water, and from Summer Water Safety Classes to the safety of the swim zone, Lifeguards from all over Ireland have shared their expert advice right here. Take it to heart. Make water safety part of the conversation around your dinner table. Together let’s make summer safer.
“In a single day, we located eight lost children. Three of them had gone missing at the same time.”
“An incoming tide left nine people stranded on a sandbank. It all happened in 15 minutes.
“A girl I taught in our summer water safety classes used her skills to safely rescue four people. She was just 15 at the time.”
“We see kayaks and paddle boards getting caught up in rip currents, changing tides and offshore winds. The right training is essential.”
“I see so many people jumping into rivers and lakes without thinking. You have to check the depth and be aware of hidden dangers.”
“A father and son went out on an inflatable paddle board and within minutes they were over a kilometre from shore.”
Videos
It’s National Water Safety Awareness Week and on beaches, rivers and lakes, lifeguards are getting ready for a busy summer. You can help by getting ready too.
This is Water Safety Ireland and this summer our message is to heed our heroes. Lifeguards from all over Ireland have shared their top water safety advice at watersafety.ie
Take it to heart. Make water safety part of the conversation around your dinner table. Visit watersafety.ie and remember…
Better Safe Than Sorry.
Lifeguard Lucy Cleere shares her expert advice on the importance of swimming in safe places and the different hazards associated with fresh water.
Together, let’s make summer safer.
Lifeguard Jayke Morris shares his expert advice on the importance of never using inflatable toys in open water, at beaches, rivers and lakes.
Together, let’s make summer safer.
Lifeguard David Farrelly shares his expert advice about the dangers of stranding while walking along Ireland’s coastline.
Together, let’s make summer safer.
Lifeguard Sarah Donnelly shares her expert advice on how to enjoy kayaking and paddle boarding safely.
Lifeguard Rachel Connolly shares her expert advice on the importance of safe swimming at the beach.
Together, let’s make summer safer.
Rip currents generally emerge in an area of darker water. Often the surface of the water is unsettled and if there are waves, they will be breaking on either side, but not directly in the rip.
Our top three tips to stay safe around rip currents: 1. Swim between the red and yellow flags. Red and yellow means its safe to swim. 2. If you find yourself caught in a rip current, remain calm, swim parallel to the beach. This will get you out of the rip current and you will be able to swim in. 3. If you can’t do this, raise your arm and a lifeguard will be there to assist you.
