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Back to school for bay watchers
29.08.13
SWIMMERS have been
urged to exercise caution at Donegal beaches as
local authority lifeguards head back to school and
college. Many lifeguards who attend second and third
level education will be ditching their bodyboards
for their books next Monday.
Donegal County Council said other staff would be on
standby should the country experience a late 'Indian
summer'.
"The lifeguards dealt very professionally with their
busiest season for many years and provided an
admirable service under frequently challenging
conditions," said a council spokesperson.
"Should the weather improve again and we have an
'Indian summer' and the number of water users
greatly increase, a number of staff remain available
on standby and can be deployed if necessary."
Figures show that lifeguards rescued a whopping 559
swimmers nationwide during the July heatwave.
They reunited 575 lost children with their parents
that month alone - 250 more than the entire bathing
season last year. |
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Culdaff beach. |
Meanwhile, other
statistics from Irish Water Safety show that
lifeguards administered First Aid to more than 3,800
people during the longest heatwave in living memory.
They gave general advice to over 34,000 people and
prevented a further 11,421 accidents from happening.
Lifeguards in Clare, Kerry and Sligo were among the
busiest in July with Wexford, Roscommon and Louth
reporting the fewest swimming casualties. |
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