Lifeguards have been praised for rescuing five people in two separate rip-tide incidents which unfolded off one of Cork’s best-known beaches.
The potential tragedies were averted at Inchydoney beach on bank holiday Monday and the rescues underline the importance of swimming at a lifeguarded beach, the Inchydoney Inshore Lifeboat Association said.
The first rescue occurred at around 4.25pm when a lifeguard on duty on the eastern beach spotted two young adult males struggling in a rip current off-shore.
The lifeguard entered the water and using a rescue board, paddled straight out to the swimmers, who were out of their depth and fighting to return to the shore.
Inchydoney inshore rescue boat (IRB) was launched with two crew on board to support the lifeguard, who had by now reached the swimmers.
The lifeguard used their rescue board to help the swimmers out of the rip current and they all made their way to a sandbank where they were able to stand.
The IRB stood by while the lifeguard concluded the rescue and the swimmers were brought to the lifeguard station for assessment. The swimmers did not need medical attention.
The IRB conducted a short patrol and returned to the eastern beach where it remained on standby.
High tide had been at around 2pm and there were reports of a two to three foot swell, with a rip tide pulling, but conditions were not severe enough for red flags to be hoisted.
However, the alarm was raised again at around 5.30pm when a lifeguard on duty on the eastern beach spotted an adult male and two children in difficulty in a rip current close to where the earlier incident occured.
The lifeguard enter the water, and was joined by two more lifeguards, while the IRB was launched, with a driver and one lifeguard on board to provide cover.
The three lifeguards in the water rescued the man and two children from the rip current and helped them back to the shore.
They were brought to the lifeguard station for assessment, and although shocked and shaken, again, no medical assistance was necessary. The lifeguards then raised the red flag at the eastern beach, closing the sea to swimmers.
Inchydoney lifeboat commended the life guards for their swift actions and professionalism.
“Thankfully these incidents had a positive outcome which underlines how imperative it is to swim at lifeguarded beaches,” the group said.
“Please continue to think water safety this Summer, swim between the red/yellow flags and listen to the lifeguards advice.”
Lifeguards, employed by Cork County Council, are on duty at 12 Cork beaches from 10.30am to 7pm full time until the end of August, and for weekends only in September.