Need for more lifeguards and lifesaving equipment as sea and inland swimming grows in popularity – McGahon

 There is a need for more lifeguards and lifesaving equipment as sea and inland swimming grows in popularity, according to Fine Gael Louth Senator, John McGahon.

“During lockdown, many people developed a new-found love for swimming. Whether it’s sea or inland swimming, so many of us have taken up this brilliant form of exercise.

“But with the increased numbers of sea and inland swimmers, we need to ensure that everybody stays safe. Recently we saw too many tragic drownings over a short period of time, and unfortunately in Ireland, we have had an average of ten drownings per month over the last ten years.

“I would like to see a commitment to installing more lifesaving equipment at the popular spots where people swim. We also need to see more lifeguards on duty, and for longer periods of the year, not just in the summer months, in the off-peak season too.

“Recently my Fine Gael colleague Minister Hildegarde Naughton TD launched an updated Safety on the Water website https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/777947-safety-on-the-water/.

“It is a one stop shop for water safety information in order to minimise accidents and to prevent the loss of life on Irish waters. I encourage everyone who wants to enjoy our rivers, lakes and coastline this summer to check it out.

“The information on this useful website could form the basis of a strong public information campaign to educate people about the dangers of swimming.

“For example, the majority of drownings take place in inland locations and alcohol plays a huge role in people getting into trouble too.  The Coast Guard and the RNLI are also very clear that water based inflatable devices are not safe to use in open water. We need to get the message out to people to please leave them at home.

“We must do everything we can at Government and Local Authority level to ensure the tragic deaths of recent weeks can be avoided in the future”, concluded Senator McGahon.