RNLI Water Safety Officers provide water safety education to 493 Nenagh pupils

Water safety education, particularly through talks with school children, is an essential part of the RNLI’s mission to reduce the number of preventable deaths and serious incidents in both coastal and inland water.

On Tuesday 23 May, Killian O'Kelly spoke with 206 children, and to a further 287 children on Thursday 25 May. He was supported by Trevor Whelan, RNLI Water Safety Officer. The talks and safety demonstrations were organised by John MacMahon, RNLI Community Safety Officer at Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat station, and coordinated by Victoria Lee at the Nenagh Tourist Office, Tipperary County Council.

The RNLI visits hundreds of schools throughout the country every year to deliver water safety messaging. Killian says “the charity has increased its focus on inland counties as 62% of drownings occur inland.

During May, RNLI water safety teams have visited many of the primary and secondary schools near Lough Derg to deliver the 4 key safety messages: Stop and Think, Stay together, FLOAT, Call 999”.

Echoing these 4 key safety messages, John MacMahon, RNLI Community Safety Officer at Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat Station, says that it is crucial people know how to be safe near water; it could save a life. His advice is to “Think: Is it safe to be here? What are the potential dangers? Stay together. Be aware of each other and never become isolated. Float. If you fall into water, you are likely to get cold water shock. This can make it temporarily difficult to breath and induce panic. If you float for 60 seconds this will pass and your breathing will get back to normal. Don’t hesitate to call for help. Call 999 or 112”.

Victoria Lee at the Nenagh Tourist Office said she was delighted to partner with the RNLI “to spread the water safety message to so many children especially before the summer holidays”.

Ends

Notes to editors

• Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat station has been operating since 2004. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/lough-derg-lifeboat-station
• A photo of Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat can be viewed at: https://www.facebook.com/RNLILoughDerg/

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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates 46 lifeboat stations in Ireland. The RNLI is independent of government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, the charity has saved over 142,700 lives.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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