RNLI lifeguards will commence full time Summer patrol on 11 beaches in Northern Ireland this weekend.
Following a busy period of intensive training in preparation for the new season, the lifeguards will be keeping visitors safe on eight beaches along three County Down beaches and the Causeway Coast. The beaches in Down include Tyrella, Murlough and Cranfield.
From this Saturday 24 June, the RNLI will take up full time daily duty on all beaches continuing to Sunday 3 September when weekend duty will then resume on selected beaches throughout September.
Lifeguards will be on the beach daily between 10am and 6pm in County Down.
As the good weather continues, RNLI lifeguard supervisor Karl O’Neill is expecting a busy start to the season. He sid: “Pre-season preparations have went well and our lifeguards are ready and looking forward to getting back on the beaches and doing what they do best, providing beach safety advice to visitors and helping out anyone who might find themselves in difficulty either in the water or on the beach itself.
“We would remind anyone planning a trip to the beach to be mindful that particularly at this stage in the season the water is still cold. Come dressed for the weather conditions to ensure your visit is both safe and enjoyable.”
The RNLI has been working closely with its colleagues in the Newry Mourne and Down District Council to ensure the beaches and lifeguard units are ready and equipped and that lifeguard training and preparation has been carried out seamlessly and successfully.
One of the notable changes this year is a new and improved lifeguard unit at Portrush West which will provide the lifeguards with a much wider view of the beach.
Following a successful trial on Ballycastle Beach last year, the RNLI lifeguard service will continue on a permanent basis from this season forward.
The RNLI’s advice for anyone planning a trip to the beach is to respect the water, check weather and tide times before you go and if planning to go into the water, swim at a lifeguarded beach, between the red and yellow flags. Avoid using inflatables in strong winds or rough seas.
If you get into trouble, stick your hand in the air and shout for help and if you see someone else in trouble, tell a lifeguard. If you can’t see a lifeguard, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.
Last year, lifeguards in Northern Ireland responded to 235 incidents coming to the aid of 255 people. Incidents ranged from saving a life, carrying out a rescue, assisting a casualty, providing casualty care and minor first aid to being involved in searches, near misses and incidents involving missing and found people. The lifeguards also worked closely with their colleagues at Portrush, Newcastle and Kilkeel RNLI lifeboat stations.
RNLI lifeguards have already had a busy education season with one of the programmes, Swim Safe, teaching children how to stay safe in open water.
The free hour-long sessions for 7–14 year olds are run by qualified swimming teachers and RNLI beach lifeguards. The sessions are designed to be practical, interactive, educational and fun for children who can swim at least 25 metres. Every child that participates receives 60 minutes of tuition, with the time split between land-based safety with a lifeguard and in-water tuition with a swimming teacher. Wetsuits, swimming hats and a free goody bag with t-shirt are all provided. Sessions will be held at Groomsport Beach, from 17-21 July.
Visit: www.swimsafe.org.uk
to book your place.
RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor Jenny Thompson said: “The aim of the Swim Safe programme which has come to Northern Ireland for the first time this year, is to improve children’s swimming abilities and their confidence in the sea, which is a very different environment to a pool. We hope to equip children with valuable knowledge and skills so that they can have fun and enjoy the water safely.”
