Brought to you by the RNLI.
You could be in Croker for the big game.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) recently teamed up with the GAA for a campaign to teach the public how to survive falling into cold water. To highlight the new campaign, they’re giving away two tickets to this year’s All Ireland Hurling Final between Galway and Waterford.
A shocking 28 people die accidentally each year around the Irish coast, with many of those deaths being preventable. Through the Respect the Water Campaign, the RNLI and GAA are calling on the public to fight their instincts and remember one simple skill that could save them from drowning – floating.
That may sound obvious but sudden immersion in cold water can cause severe risk of cold water shock. This causes people to instinctively gasp uncontrollably and try to swim hard, which can quickly lead to drowning.
This is actually the worst thing you could do, according to cold water survival expert, according to Professor Mike Tipton.
“Although it’s counter-intuitive, the best immediate course of action in that situation is to fight your instinct and try to float or rest, just for a short time,” Professor Tipton said. “The effects of cold water shock will pass quite quickly, within 60–90 seconds. Floating for this short time will let you regain control of your breathing and your survival chances will greatly increase.”
To be in with a chance of winning two tickets to this year’s All Ireland Hurling Final, simply answer the question below.
Good luck!
Brought to you by the RNLI.
