Statistics

Quick Facts

• From 2017 to 2021 there have been an average of 118 drownings per year.
  • This is down from 140 average per year from 2012 to 2016.
• Males represent 72% of drownings in Irish waters from 2012 to 2021.
• Drownings often happen quickly and silently with 74% of drownings occurring within the home county of the victim.
• 2017 to 2021 shows that constant and vigilant supervision is the most important intervention to help prevent around 70% of children drownings.
• From 2012 to 2021, alcohol consumption was a factor in 26% of drownings.
• 56.6% of accidental drownings were preceded by land-based activities (such as walking, hiking, foraging, fishing from land, cycling, and driving).
• 22.7% of accidental drownings were preceded by swimming, bathing, or other water-based activities excluding the use of any watercraft.

“Although there were 80 drownings in Ireland in 2021, this figure could have been much higher were it not for the preventive actions performed by Water Safety Ireland assessed Lifeguards who rescued 473 persons from drowning, administered first aid to 6.787 people and reunited 516 lost children with their guardians.” Remarked Martin O’Sullivan, Chairman of Water Safety Ireland (2021).

Definitions

Rescue: Physical intervention with Canbuoy, a Rescue Board, or a Rescue Tube, Long distance pick up in Deepwater.

Assist: Wading, Reaching, Ringbuoy, Canbuoy Assist/Towing – No serious carries involved or Physical Contact, Short Distance.

Advice Given: General Safety Advice – Flag Meanings, Weather Conditions, Facility Locations, Verbal Advice by Lifeguard.

Accident Prevented: Blowing Whistles, Keeping people in LG Zone, Preventing Climbing on rocks, Advising Water Sports users to keep out of LG Zone, Verbal or Signal Intervention by Lifeguards

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