Coast Guard, Water Safety Ireland, and RNLI urge water safety for bank holiday
As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, water activities continue throughout the year, bringing increased risks.
It's crucial to understand how your body reacts to cold water and to stay alert to hazards such as cold-water shock, rip currents, and hidden depths caused by localised flooding. Always carry a reliable way to communicate, check weather and tide updates, and let someone know your plans before heading out.
Open water swimming safety guidelines:
- Plan ahead: Review weather forecasts, tide schedules, and wave conditions. Pack warm clothing and a hot drink for after your swim. Keep a mobile phone in a waterproof case
- Don’t swim alone: Always swim with a companion and inform someone of your intended route and return time
- Ease in gradually: Enter the water slowly to help your body adjust and reduce the risk of cold-water shock.
- Make yourself visible: Wear a brightly coloured swim cap and consider using a tow float for added visibility
- Know your limits: Stay within a depth you're comfortable with and swim parallel to the shore
- Rip current awareness: If caught in a rip current, stay calm. Swim parallel to the shore to escape or float to conserve energy
- Keep someone informed: Share your swimming plan, location, and expected return time with someone on land
- Remember, if you find yourself in difficulty in the water, Float to Live.
If you see somebody in trouble on the water or along the coast or think that they are in trouble, use Marine VHF Ch 16 or dial 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.
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RNLI media contacts
For more information, please contact Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager on 087 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead on 087 1254 124 or [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.