Drowning Statistics 2014

114 Drowned in 2014, 9 fewer than in 2013

79% were male; Six were children aged 14 and under…

Appeal – “Teach children how to stay safe near water”

Today’s release by Irish Water Safety of the drowning statistics for 2014 reflects the importance of uninterrupted child supervision and an appeal for people to take training before pursuing aquatic activities. This appeal comes in the wake of 114 drownings last year, 9 fewer than in 2013.

Overall

An analysis reveals that:

114 people drowned in Ireland in 2014. 55 were accidents (77 in 2013), 33 suicides (27 in 2013), 25 undetermined (19 in 2013), 1 homicide. 123 drowned in 2013.

The highest figure recorded in any one year was 235 in 1983, the lowest was 73 in 1936.

Males were particularly at risk, accounting for 79% of drownings (90); 24 females drowned.

Of the 24 females: 50% suicide, 29% accident, 17% undetermined, 4% homicide.

Of the 90 males: 50% accident, 23.5% suicide, 23.5% undetermined.

Six children aged 14 and under drowned. Six teenagers drowned (3 accidental, 3 suicide).

– 23% of all those who drowned were adults aged 50-59.

– 25% drowned aged 0-29; 55% aged 30-59; 20% aged 60-85.

Leinster 39%; Munster 33%; Connacht 17%; Ulster(part of) 11%

Dublin had the highest (16); Cork and Limerick had 2nd highest (13 each); Galway had 3rd highest (12).

By County

Irish Drowning Fatality Data by County and Year (2014 and 2013):

County     Number of Drownings 2014     Number of Drownings 2013
Carlow                         5                                                      3
Cavan                           5                                                      1
Clare                            6                                                      6
Cork                            13                                                    23
Donegal                      6                                                      8
Dublin                        16                                                    20
Galway                       12                                                    11
Kerry                           2                                                      6
Kildare                        7                                                      3
Kilkenny                     0                                                      2
Laois                            2                                                      1
Leitrim                        0                                                      1
Limerick                     13                                                     2
Longford                     2                                                      0
Louth                           3                                                      5
Mayo                            4                                                      6
Meath                          2                                                       5
Monaghan                  1                                                        1
Offaly                           3                                                       3
Roscommon               0                                                       3
Sligo                             3                                                       2
Tipperary                    3                                                       2
Waterford                   1                                                        3
Westmeath                 3                                                        1
Wexford                      2                                                        3
Wicklow                      0                                                       2

 

Advice to prevent drownings

It only takes seconds for tragedy to strike but this can so easily be avoided if people take

responsibility for their own safety by taking note of the following in advance of any aquatic activity:

  1. Teach schoolchildren how to stay safe for summer, listed on www.iws.ie
  2. Take training with a recognised provider, listed on www.safetyzone.ie
  3. Swim at Lifeguarded waterways, listed on www.iws.ie
  4. If there is no Lifeguarded waterway nearby then swim at a recognised, traditional bathing area.
  5. Swim within your depth – stay within your depth;
  6. Never use inflatable toys at beaches, rivers or lakes.
  7. Use local knowledge to determine local hazards and safest areas to swim;
  8. Ensure that ringbuoys are present;
  9. Make sure that the edges are shallow shelving so that you can safely and easily enter and exit;
  10. If you drink alcohol, only do so after your aquatic activity has ended.
  11. Wear a lifejacket with crotch strap when on the water.

Media Enquiries:

Irish Water Safety, The Long Walk, Galway. LoCall: 1890.420.202 / Tel: 091-56.44.00

Websites: www.iws.ie / www.aquaattack.ie / www.ringbuoys.ie

(Any interpretation of the figures must be exercised with caution because they are provisional,

pending supplementary documentation and therefore subject to change pending further

correspondence.)