Author: John Connolly (03-36)

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

2. 2007 World Water Safety Conference 82 water rescues between 2000 - 2006 134 gardai police officers 90 casualties Gardai make 20 + swimming rescues annually Survey Details

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

4. 2007 World Water Safety Conference Deliberate entry 49 ( 59.7% ) Entry Civilian Rescuer 6 ( 6.6% ) Accidental entry 5 ( 5.5% ) Uncertain 30 ( 33.3% ) Belief = at least 2/3 and more likely 4/5 were deliberate

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

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

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

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

9. 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. 2007 World Water Safety Conference Night Rescues 29 night rescues 21 were week-end nights 18 between 10 pm and 4 am

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

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

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

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

16. 2007 World Water Safety Conference

17. 2007 World Water Safety Conference Thank You John Connolly