Coast Guard, Water Safety Ireland, and RNLI urge water safety for bank holiday
- Pat Nolan
- 3 days ago
- 1 min read
Thursday 23 October 2025
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.
