1. by Irish Police Officers
2007 World
Water Safety
Conference
Swimming Rescues
by Irish Police Officers
John Connolly B.Ed., MA
The Irish Lifesaving Foundation

2. Gardai make 20 + swimming rescues annually
2007 World
Water Safety
Conference
Survey Details
82 water rescues between
134 gardai police officers
90 casualties
Gardai make 20 + swimming rescues annually

3. Location of Rescues River 80.4% 2007 World Water Safety Conference
Canal 3.6%
Reservoir 1.2%
Beach 4.8%
Pier 9.7%
River 80.4%

4. Belief = at least 2/3 and more likely 4/5 were deliberate
2007 World
Water Safety
Conference
Entry
Deliberate entry 49 ( 59.7% )
Civilian Rescuer 6 ( 6.6% )
Accidental entry 5 ( 5.5% )
Uncertain ( 33.3% )
Belief = at least 2/3 and more likely 4/5 were deliberate

5. Entry Point Bridge 50% + 2007 World Water Safety Conference
Unknown 8.5%
Bridge 39.0%
Pier 9.7%
Riverside 31.7%
Bridge 50% +

6. One officer acting alone = 41.5% Two or more officers = 58.5%
2007 World
Water Safety
Conference
Number of Officers 2 4 4 11 34 27
One officer acting alone = %
Two or more officers = %

7. Casualties 15 – 35 yrs : 35 male and 18 female
2007 World
Water Safety
Conference
Casualties
Male 58 (64.4% )
Female 32 ( 35.5% ) 53
Number of Casualties
Age
Ranges 27
58.8% 10
30%
11.1%
15 – 35 yrs.
36 – 60 yrs.
Unknown
15 – 35 yrs : 35 male and 18 female
36 – 60 yrs : 16 male and 11 female

8. Day of Rescue Unknown 9 ( 10.9% )
2007 World
Water Safety
Conference
Day of Rescue
Number of
Rescues 16 18 9 7 9 9 5
Unknown 9 ( 10.9% )

9. Time of entry is known in 51 of the 82 rescues
2007 World
Water Safety
Conference
Time of Rescue
Time of entry is known in 51 of the 82 rescues
29 night entries : 22 day entries
Estimate for all rescues = 47 night : 35 day

10. Night Rescues 29 night rescues 18 between 10 pm and 4 am
2007 World
Water Safety
Conference
Night Rescues
29 night rescues
21 were week-end nights
18 between 10 pm and 4 am

11. immediately before they
2007 World
Water Safety
Conference
Alcohol
out of 90 casualties
( 38.8% )
known to have
consumed alcohol
immediately before they
entered the water

12. Suicide Lethal Means Depression Alcohol Critical Incident 2007 World
Water Safety
Conference
Suicide
Depression
Alcohol
Critical Incident
Lethal Means

13. Sudden Total Swim Failure Rapid Loss of Consciousness
2007 World
Water Safety
Conference
Cold Injury X
Hypothermia ?
Cold Shock
Sudden Total Swim Failure
Rapid Loss of Consciousness

14. Rescue Aids 12 Ringbuoys 8 Ropes
2007 World
Water Safety
Conference
Rescue Aids
12 Ringbuoys
8 Ropes

15. The casualty was removed from the water in all rescues
2007 World
Water Safety
Conference
Actions of Gardai
Decisiveness
Flashlights
Teamwork
Communication
The casualty was removed from the water in all rescues

16. Thank You John Connolly
2007 World
Water Safety
Conference
Thank You
John Connolly

17. 2007 World
Water Safety
Conference