This one safety tip for Laois swimmers and dippers could save a life

Laois may not have a coastline but it does have a Laois branch of Water Safety Ireland, and they have a top tip for swimmers in the county.

Peter Quinn and Stephen O'Toole give classes to Laois children on how to stay safe in the water, up to the level of training lifeguards at swimming pools. 

They had a stand at the recent Laois Live Well Expo in Portlaoise where they gave the Leinster Express / Laois Live their top tip to stay alive.

"Laois is the only county in Ireland not touching a county that touches the sea. Even so, in the farm or anywhere there is water, you can drown," Stephen said.

"In Laois, people go wild swimming and dipping, in places like the Catholes and Glenbarrow in the Slieve Bloom mountains and in canals, lakes and rivers.

"My number one advice, is know the location you are swimming in and never swim alone," Stephen said.

The Laois group has a range of leaflets advising water safety on the farm, on boats, and on inland waterways.

On farms, Laois Water Safety say ponds are often out of view, so have an adult near when playing near water. Slurry pits are not solid enough to stand on, keep away or you will quickly sink. The exact edge of a waterway may not be visible because of grass and reds. The banks of rivers, lakes and ponds may be weak and could give way under your weight.

Keep holes, drains, wells and water storage tanks securely covered, and keep waterways fenced off. Be cautious riding horses near and into water. Holes left after building work can be deep and of unknown depth. Never walk on ice covered waterways.

"Do not follow a ball or floating toy into water. They can be replaced, unlike you," they say. 

At lakes, the advice is that the water is often much colder under the surface and can cause shock. If you feel cold, get out straight away to avoid Hypothermia. The bottom can be uneven, look out for submerged objects. 

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Large lakes and rivers can look calm but wind and currents can make it dangerous. Do not use floating toys. 

Stay away from construction sites and quarries. You cannot tell how deep a hole is. Sides of trenches can collapse.

Do not jump off bridges into rivers. Never push a friend in 'for a laugh'. Never swim in fast flowing rivers. 

Canals - stay away from the edge, as canals have steep sides making it very difficult to climb back out. It is an offence to remve a ringbuoy. 

Reservoirs - are deep and cold with sudden changes in depth. Never go alone in case you fall in.

Gravel pits - are cold and very deep with gravel sliding down the sides making climbing out difficult. Even good swimmers have drowned in them. 

See more on www.watersafety.ie