Sligo Hosts Nationwide Water Safety Conference

PRESS RELEASE

SLIGO HOSTS NATIONWIDE WATER SAFETY CONFERENCE

Focus on how water safety promotes tourism

(7th April 2011 update)

Water Safety Development Officers from around the country are presently gathered at the Sligo Park Hotel to discuss the prevention of drowning and aquatic incidents which tragically reach an average of 150 every year. Councillor Joe Leonard and Councillor Matt Lyons opened the Irish Water Safety Conference which runs through until Friday 8th April.

Irish Water Safety, a voluntary, statutory body and registered charity has a number of categories of membership, one of which is Water Safety Development Officer (WSDO) employed by local authorities in Ireland.

Issues being debated in Sligo that will affect the entire country will include the provision of Lifeguards for the summer tourism season, the development of the service in line with best practice, the erection of Ringbuoys and similar public rescue equipment and related issues such as vandalism; risk assessments of beaches, pools, marinas, bathing facilities and other aquatic locations in the interest of public safety; implementing Irish Water Safety’s primary school programme and the promotion of child welfare and many other aquatic related issues.

A range of speakers will discuss a variety of tourism-related issues including safety aspects of Tow In Surf, Kite boarding in Ireland, water safety and standards within the general Leisure Industry and the impact of Surfing on Irish Beaches.

Local Authorities play a key role in preventing drowning and aquatic accidents in Ireland. Within Local Authorities. WSDOs are responsible for the delivery of that service which is supported by Irish Water Safety who supplies information, technical assistance, training and the documentation required. Collectively, the Water Safety Development Officers represent a very substantial pool of knowledge, competencies and experience.

Further information on all aspects of water safety can be obtained by contacting:

Irish Water Safety, The Long Walk, Galway. LoCall: 1890.420.202 / Tel: 091-56.44.00

Mobiles: John Leech 087-6789600; Roger Sweeney 087-6789601

Email: Website: www.iws.ie