Author: Enda Boyle

Recent Beach Guard intake Summer 2023

Posted on by Enda Boyle

Well done to the recent intake of Beach Guard award participatiants who completed their training and passed their exam over the summer. ????????????‍♀️????

Candidates were selected from Cork Surf Lifesaving Club ????⚪

To gain their awards as to increase a high standard with knowledge of the Surf, rescue board training, CPR training and advanced first aid response.

Each candidate can now apply for positions with Cork County Council as well as applying to county councils around the country to Lifeguard Irelands beautiful beaches ⛱.

Thank you to instructor: Dirmuid Ó Donnabháin who got everyone over the line

And to Treasurer and Examiner Paul Burke for awarding the participants.

Well done everyone and “I’ll see you on the beach”

“I see so many people jumping into rivers and lakes without thinking. You have to check the depth and be aware of hidden dangers.”

Posted on by Enda Boyle

Lucy Cleere, Lifeguard, County Kilkenny

here are fantastic swimming spots at lakes and rivers all around the country. However, it’s important for people to be aware of the differences between fresh water and salt water, and to know the hazards unique to inland waterways. The best advice is to seek out a lifeguarded area and always swim there. Lifeguards are on duty for weekends in June, and full time for July and August.

Advice for rivers and lakes

  1. Swim at Designated Bathing Areas where lifeguards are on duty. For a full list just click here
  2. Swim and stay in the swim zone between the red and yellow flags. Lifeguards are there to protect. Let them be there for you.
  3. Always swim and stay within your depth.
  4. Supervise children at all times. Tell your child to go to the lifeguard hut if they get lost.
  5. Never jump in without thinking. Be aware of sudden depths.
  6. Look out for hidden dangers like submerged objects. Poor visibility can hide what’s underneath the surface and entanglement is a risk.
  7. Be aware of currents. They are not always obvious and can me much stronger than you imagine.
  8. Never use inflatable toys in open water. They have no traction and can be easily carried far from shore by wind and currents.
  9. Stay away from edges, particularly where there is slippery, unstable or uneven ground.
  10. If you see somebody in trouble in the water: SHOUT – REACH – THROW.
    1. SHOUT to calm, encourage and orientate them.
    2. REACH with anything that avoids you needing to enter the water. Use a branch, pole, rope or even a piece of clothing.
    3. THROW a ringbuoy or any floating object to them.

“We see kayaks and paddle boards getting caught in rip currents, changing tides and offshore winds. The right training is essential.”

Posted on by Enda Boyle

Sarah Donnelly, Lifeguard, County Mayo

t’s fantastic to see the rising interest in water sports all over the country. However, many people are purchasing craft that are unsafe and are going out on the water without getting proper training. As with all water sports, it’s important to know what you’re getting into.

Advice for paddle boarding and kayaking

  1. Be able to swim. This is a must.
  2. Never use inflatable paddle boards or kayaks in open water.
  3. Location counts. Look for a calm body of water and stay close to shore.
  4. Be extra careful in shallow water to avoid falling into rocks or oyster beds.
  5. Always wear a lifejacket or personal buoyancy aid.
  6. Use a leash to keep you connected to your board at all times.
  7. Check the weather and water conditions before going out.
  8. Never go out on the water alone.
  9. Always tell someone on shore where you are going and what time you expect to be back.
  10. Have a means of calling for help in a waterproof bag – a fully charged mobile phone of VHF radio.
  11. Proper training is essential. Join a club in your area.

“An incoming tide left nine people stranded on a sandbank. It all happended in 15 minutes.”

Posted on by Enda Boyle

David Farrelly, Lifeguard, County Dublin

Strandings are a regular occurrence at beaches all over Ireland. When the tides goes out, sandbanks are revealed, often with just a small amount of water around them. These little islands are magnets for adults and children alike. Walkers can also be drawn to them. However, when the tide turns, what may have been only a few inches of water can quickly become a few metres. People find themselves cut off from shore and surrounded by water that is out of their depth.

How to avoid being stranded

  1. Learn about local tides and currents. If you’re unfamiliar with a beach always ask a lifeguard or a local about potential hazards.
  2. Know about high tides and low tides. They are affected by the cycle of the moon, which follows a consistent four-week pattern.
  3. Spring tides, unlike the name suggests, occur every two weeks. A spring tide means high tides are higher and low tides are lower than average. This can reveal normally hidden sandbanks. Be aware of them and exercise caution.
  4. Know that incoming tides can quickly backfill behind you and block your safe return to shore.
  5. Walkers should always check tides times before heading out.
  6. Be aware that higher high tides pose a greater risk of being washed into the sea. Walkers should stay away from edges.
  7. Bring a fully charged phone in a waterproof bag. If you get into trouble call 112 or 999 and ask the coastguard for assistance.

“In a single day, we located eight lost children. Three of them had gone missing at the same time.”

Posted on by Enda Boyle

Rachel Connolly, Lifeguard, County Louth

A day with the kids at a beach, river or lake is free, healthy and fun. With the sun shining, waves crashing and people everywhere, it’s also a day full of distractions. It’s so easy for a child to become lost in the moment, and seconds later to be quite literally lost. That’s why it’s so important for parents to supervise children closely. Young children can drown in just a few inches of water.

Advice for parents at beaches, rivers and lakes

  1. Always swim at lifeguarded waterways.
  2. Supervise children at all times. Tell your child to go to the lifeguard hut if they get lost.
  3. Look for the swim zone and ensure your children always stay and swim within the flags. Ask the lifeguard if you’re unsure where it is.
  4. Ensure your children know what the flags mean and only swim when it is safe to do so.
  5. Ensure children swim within their depth and stay within their depth
  6. Leave inflatable toys at home. They are very dangerous in open water. The slightest breeze can take children away from shore and out of their depth.
  7. Warm air does not mean warm water. Don’t let children stay in too long and ensure they get fully warm immediately after getting out.
  8. In rivers and lakes, the water is less buoyant and can be colder than sea water. Know what you’re getting into.
  9. At rivers and lakes, be aware of hidden dangers and unexpected depths. Children should never jump in without thinking. At beaches, they shouldn’t jump from piers for the same reasons.
  10. In the case of jelly fish stings or weever fish stings, go to the lifeguard for first aid.

“A father and son went out on an inflatable paddle board and within minutes they were over a kilometre from shore.”

Posted on by Enda Boyle

Jayke Morris, Lifeguard, County Mayo

Inflatables toys and open water don’t mix. They have no traction as they sit on the surface of the water. They can be swept out very quickly by wind and currents, often faster than someone can swim after them. They can take a child out of their depth very quickly, and as they are unstable, it is very easy for a child to fall off and end up in the water. The simple fact is that these toys should never be used in open water. We ask parents to discourage their use and never bring them to the beach, river or lake.

Things to know about inflatables

  1. Never use inflatable toys, paddle boards or kayaks in open water.
  2. Remember that these items are toys, not safety devices.
  3. Strong currents can rapidly sweep inflatables and people out to sea.
  4. Strong winds can blow an inflatable out to sea in minutes. Often a lot faster than a person can swim.
  5. If it isn’t fully inflated, it can bow or snap back on the user pushing them into the water.
  6. In some cases, people have panicked and abandoned the inflatable resulting in sudden immersion in cold water. This can lead to cold water shock and incapacitation.

It’s National Service Day!!

Posted on by Enda Boyle
Today, the 4th of September, we thank all of our frontline staff and volunteers who are on call to keep us safe!
As volunteers and members of Water Safety Ireland, we educate the public on how to stay safe around water and train the country’s Beachguards and Poolguards.
We are a team of instructors and examiners ranging in all ages, teaching a wide range of people from all walks of life.
We would especially like to thank you, our instructors, who worked tirelessly this summer to deliver our summer weeks programme through these difficult times!
Pictured below is An Taoiseach Micheal Martin with Cork Water Safety Area Committee members including Chairperson Eoin O’Driscoll, Vice-Chair Sean O’Keefe, and Anne Curtain.