Know what you re getting into...

Transcription

1 Calendar 2015 Know what you re getting into...

2 A Christmas Message The Council of is delighted to present you with the IWS Calendar 2015, brought to you through the kind and generous support of a number of sponsors, to whom I extend our grateful appreciation. The work of our volunteers at pools, rivers, lakes and beaches throughout the year directly influences the skills, attitudes and behaviours of thousands of people enjoying our wonderful aquatic environments presented another busy year for us all. The good summer brought a record amount of children to our Water Safety weeks. Through extra government funding and sponsorship, we were able to deliver a National media campaign to highlight the dangers of our waters. We were also able to strengthen and support the work of our volunteers targeting schools through our PAWS programme nationwide. s educational programmes are all the more important when reflecting on the fact that an average of 135 people drown in Ireland every year. The good news in reflecting on the previous year was that the number of drownings in a figure of 91 was the lowest in 70 years. will continue to target at-risk groups with initiatives to highlight best practices. We need to keep reminding ourselves of the facts. 32 children under the age of 14 drowned in Ireland in the ten years to the end of 2013 years. The majority of drownings, 62%, occur inland, and that 32% of drowning victims had consumed alcohol, with 80% of drownings occurring relatively close to the victim s home. Our instructors can be proud of the fact that in July 2014, Lifeguards rescued 413 casualties from our beaches, rivers and lakes during the month of July, which thankfully was 146 less than the previous July during that memorable heat wave. In the same period, there were 353 lost children reunited with their parents and an incredible 8,442 accidents prevented by the proactive actions of our trained and assessed Lifeguards. The skills you impart as swimming teachers and Water Safety Instructors ensures that we are able to turn out young people every year with the ability to take on these jobs in a capable and professional manner. This we deeply appreciate. At this time of year in particular, our thoughts are with the families of those members who have passed away since our last calendar publication. This year, we lost a Life Governor, an Examiner and a Water Safety Development Officer. I am also conscious of the number of members who have lost family members themselves. We extend our deepest sympathies to all families who are feeling their loss. We set in to our programme for 2015 with anticipation of the challenges it presents. For your continued work and support, I thank you in advance. It is only with your continuing support and engagement that can meet the challenges that make a difference to drowning prevention on our island. Every good wish to you and your family for a healthy and happy season of reflection and celebration. Chairman,

3 January International Lifesaving Europe Commissions and Board Meetings, Dublin International Lifesaving Europe Commissions and Board Meetings, Dublin Holiday World, RDS International Lifesaving Europe Commissions and Board Meetings, Dublin Holiday World, RDS Holiday World, RDS Cork Seniors at the National Beach Rescue Championships at Brittas Bay, Co Wicklow. (Photo: David Branigan)

4 February Council Meeting National Stillwater National Stillwater Referees Course Referees Course National Pool Lifesaving Championships, UL Ireland Angling Expo Swim Tutor s Course Ireland Angling Expo Swim Tutor s Course Cork Surf Lifesaving members at the Munster Surf Lifesaving Competition on Inchadoney Beach. (Photo: Hetty Walsh) Irish Skipper Expo, Galway Irish Skipper Expo, Galway

5 March Irish Skipper Expo, Galway Irish Skipper Expo, Galway St. Patrick s Day Local Authority Beach Lifeguard Exams Conference Regional Nipper Still Water Championships Regional Nipper Still Water Championships United Nations World Water Day Competitors at the National Surf Lifesaving Championships at Brittas Bay. (Photo: Sean Oldham) Council Meeting Good Friday Swim Tutor s Course Wexford Invitational Easter Saturday Swim Tutor s Course Easter Sunday

6 April Council Meeting Good Friday Wexford Invitational National Nippers Still Water Championships WSDO Conference WSDO Conference WSDO Conference Easter Saturday Easter Sunday ILSE Risk Assessors Training Course ILSE Risk Assessors Training Course Diving for Flag in Age 11 Beach Flags at Munster Final on Inchydoney Beach. (Photo: Alice Crowley)

7 May WSAC Officers Seminar European Maritime Day Defence Forces members taking part in water safety classes in the Curragh Pool. (Photo: Bob Farrell)

8 June Council Meeting National Water Safety Awareness Week National Water Safety Awareness Week National Water Safety Awareness Week National Water Safety Awareness Week National Water Safety Awareness Week National Water Safety Awareness Week National Water Safety Awareness Week Uisce Bear & Miriam O Callaghan at the launch of the Water Safety Awareness Week 2014 (Photo: Susan Kennedy) Nationwide Summer Week classes commence

9 July 2015 Nationwide Summer Week classes commence Cork Nipper in the Nipper Board All Ireland Final - Kilkee, Co. Clare. (Photo: Alice Crowley)

10 August Council Meeting Regional Nipper / Junior Open Water Lifesaving Championships Regional Nipper / Junior Open Water Lifesaving Championships Declan Martin on his way to winning Sligo s Lough Gill Swim 10k open water swim in aid of North West Hospice. (Photo: Liam Maloney)

11 September National Nipper / Junior Open Water Lifesaving Championships World Suicide Prevention Day National Open Water Referees Course National Nipper / Junior Open Water Lifesaving Championships National Senior / Master Open Water Championships WSDO Seminiar Ploughing Championships European Junior Master Championships, Spain Ploughing Championships European Junior Master Championships, Spain Ploughing Championships European Junior Master Championships, Spain European Junior Master Championships, Spain European Junior Master Championships, Spain The moment when it was announced that Cork had won the All Ireland Nipper Trophy - Kilkee, Co. Clare (Photo: Alice Crowley) Council Meeting

12 October Council Meeting National Examiners Conference year old Billy Dalton finishing the 2014 Nore Swim. (Photo: Michael Power) Irish Fly Fair, Galway Irish Fly Fair, Galway

13 November Irish Fly Fair, Galway Irish Fly Fair, Galway Designated Liason Person s Seminar IWS National Awards Ceremony Dublin Lifesaving Team open day in May 2014 at Dun Laoghaire harbour. Rescue Board Race. (Photo: Edel McCarthy) Council Meeting

14 December Council Meeting International Volunteer Day Christmas Day St Stephen s Day New Year s Day Mayo seniors competing in the National Beach Rescue Championships at Brittas Bay, Co Wicklow. (Photo: David Branigan)

15 What we do... Teach swimming, lifesaving, water confidence, safety, survival, rescue skills and basic life support. Courses are provided nationwide to the general public and also to children as part of the primary school curriculum. Many qualifications such as our Pool and Beach Lifeguarding Awards are recognised internationally. Arrange conferences, lectures and demonstrations to Local Authorities, Government Agencies, NGO s, schools, Colleges and members of the public. Publish literature to promote water safety and target at-risk groups. We provide publications for all aquatic activities to assist the public adhere to best practices. Our volunteers carry out Risk Assessments on bathing areas and waterways nationwide that may pose a particular risk to the public, in order to make them safer by the erection of Public Rescue Equipment, signage and other necessary facilities. We also advise and assist Local Authorities, state agencies and private enterprises on matters relating to water safety and we complete Public Rescue Equipment checks. Our staff support the work of approximately 3,000 volunteer members and we also administer approximately 250 people who are commercially delivering swimming, lifesaving and CPR training. Beach Lifeguards are trained and tested by our examiners for the Local Authorities, prior to the annual summer season each year. Train and examine rescue boat crews for the Community Inshore Rescue Services. Promote marine safety along with other members of the Marine Safety Working Group and the Irish Marine Search and Rescue Committee. National and local media help build public awareness by actively communicating our safety messages to the public. Press releases target the seasonal hazards at sea, on our inland waterways and other aquatic environments. Analysis and provision of drowning statistics that enables effective targeting of at risk groups in Ireland. Work with a range of organisations to help reduce the high number of drownings by suicide annually. Organise the Annual National Lifesaving Championships; some of our members then go on to compete in international events each year. Organise the National Water Safety Awards Ceremony. The JUST IN TIME Rescue Award and other awards recognize people s work, providing training and promoting Water Safety in Ireland. Partners from the private sector sponsor the delivery of messages to key at risk groups. Provide information on the locations of Lifeguarded waterways in Ireland. Public and private bodies call on us to make submissions on water safety related matters. Maintain a comprehensive websites of water safety advice, publications and courses. IWS is registered charity CHY The Long Walk, Galway Tel: LoCall Fax: info@ www. www.

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