Ahead of this week's Christmas swims taking place across the city and county, the Irish Coast Guard, Water Safety Ireland and the RNLI have urged the public to remain cautious while in or near water during the festive season.
With festive dips and swims becoming more and more popular annually, Christmas day dippers, routine swimmers and those intending to enjoy a coastal walk over the upcoming celebration period have been asked to be 'mindful of the potential risks' and to 'put safety first'.
The three maritime organisations have come together to ask the public to check that they have the 'right information to safely enjoy these activities' and know the correct course of action to take should an emergency occur.
With hundreds of festive fundraisers expected to take part in annual charity swims in Galway, the Irish Coast Guard, Water Safety Ireland and the RNLI have issued the following advice:
Check the weather, wind and tides before going in the water.
Inform someone ashore of your plans and your return time.
Acclimatise slowly when entering the water and stay warm before and after your swim or dip.
Wear a bright cap and tow float to increase your visibility.
Never swim alone and stay within your depth.
Should you get into difficulty or see someone in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.
