Arklow RNLI

Arklow RNLI urges people to put water safety advice into action during hot weather

With a period of hot weather forecast this week, the RNLI is urging people heading to the coast or inland waterways such as lakes, rivers or canals, to follow essential water safety advice, which could save lives.

The charity is sharing lifesaving advice including what to do if you find yourself in danger in the water; what to do if you see someone else struggling; knowing to be aware of key risks like cold water shock and learning the best ways to stay safe – such as choosing a lifeguarded beach: Lifeguards – Water Safety Ireland

The RNLI is appealing to people to remember and share its water safety advice with family and friends, particularly young people and teenagers as the schools prepare to break for summer.

Finn Mullen, RNLI Water Safety Education Manager, said: ‘We are delighted to see the sun and hot weather return, and we want people to enjoy themselves during it, but we want them to do so safely. Cold water shock is a real danger, which we particularly want people to be aware of. The sea or open water may look inviting during hot weather, but it remains cold enough year-round to trigger cold water shock, which can cause uncontrollable gasping, increased heart rate, and can lead to panic and drowning very quickly. It’s best to enter the water slowly to gradually acclimatise.

‘Anyone who finds themselves in danger in the water should fight the panic instinct and Float to Live – try to relax and float on their back, with head tilted back, gently moving their hands and legs to help them stay afloat. This buys valuable time to get your breathing back under control, before then calling for help or swimming to safety.

‘If you see someone else in danger – do not enter the water yourself as you could also end up in serious difficulty. Instead, remember phone, float, throw – phone 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard; tell the struggling person to float; throw them something buoyant, like a life ring.

‘If you are visiting the coast, the safest option is a lifeguarded beach where you should swim between the red and yellow flags. If you can’t choose a lifeguarded beach, find out about your chosen beach before you visit – check weather and tide times and read local safety signage. By remembering this advice and sharing it widely, we can all play a role in helping to save more lives from drowning.’

The RNLI is also urging families to talk about the dangers of swimming and jumping into open water with younger family members and friends: ‘We are also encouraging them to share our free downloadable social media videos and posts, which will help us to reach a younger audience with vital lifesaving advice which could save lives in coastal and inland waters.’

RNLI’s water safety advice:
If you find yourself in trouble in the water, the RNLI’s safety advice is Float to Live:
 Tilt your head back with your ears submerged
 Relax and try to breathe normally
 Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat
 It’s OK if your legs sink, we all float differently
 Once your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety.

If you see someone else in trouble in the water, remember Phone, Float, Throw:
 Phone 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard to get help
 Tell the struggling person to Float to Live
 Throw them something that floats, such as a life ring.

Free downloadable Float to Live social media assets.

Ends

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]

RNLI online
For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.

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 Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates 46 lifeboat stations in the Irish region. The RNLI is independent of Coast Guard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.

Wishing all of our Fathers,Grandfathers, Crew, Friends and supporters both here and passed on a very Happy Fathers Day!!

A huge well done to our Arklow RNLI BIcenteneary team!!
What an amazing afternoon at Arklow RNLI
OUR community were out in force to support us!
As part of our 200 Year Celebrations, today each of our community groups placed their own time capsule in our time capsule which was sealed and wont be opened till our 250th year!!
We also clebrated John O'Neill receiving his pager as he passed out!! Congrats!!
We had a special birthday celebration with Tommy Nolan celebrating his birthday!!
More to follow!!
Thanks to everybody who took part in this event which we wanted to ensure helped us celebrate our 200 years of saving lives in our community and also looks to the next generations of lifesavers from our community!

RNLI Wicklow People Afloat Magazine Arklow Community First Responders Arklow Golf Links Arklow Sea Scouts Arklow RNLI Fundraising Branch An Garda Síochána Wicklow Wicklow Fire Service Derek Kavanagh Arklow Geraldines Ballymoney G.A.A. Club Arklow Sailing Club

Join us on this Monday June 1st from 1.30pm as we seal up our time capsule to help us mark our 200th year Volunteering in our community!
We have cases from a huge cross section of our local community which will be placed in the time capsule by members of the groups, once sealed it's scheduled to be opened on the 250th Anniversary of Arklow Lifeboat!!
Music, Tea/Coffee/Refreshments will be available!!
Looking forward to seeing you there!!

Last weekend we took a very special photo to mark the 200th anniversary of Arklow lifeboat station, the oldest RNLI station in Ireland. We welcomed current and former volunteers, rescuees and some of our wonderful supporters, to mark the occasion.

We have a year of exciting events planned and it will be an anniversary to remember. Thank you to the people of Arklow and surrounding areas for your continued support in helping us to save lives at sea.

📸Nigel Millard

SHOUT OUT!!!
!!WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOUR HELP TODAY!!
As part of our years celebrations we have a PHOTO OPPORTUNITY planned for 3.15pm today at Arklow South Beach, we'd like to invite any and all of our supporters, colleagues and friends that happen to be around town today and would like to take part!!
Hoping some of you can make it!!
SEE YOU THERE!!

Huge shout out to our Volunteers from Boat Crew, Fundraising and Community Safety for a great day at Arklow Sailing Club, carrying out a demonstration and briefing of towing operations, lifejacket clinic and our lifeboat shop.. Great turnout and thanks to Seamus Creamer, Cillian Kavanagh and Conor McCarthy.