Introduction:
A Ring Buoy is thrown to a person to provide buoyancy and prevent drowning. Ring buoys are in place at hundreds of locations on Ireland’s coastline, rivers, canals and lakes, providing a safe way for people to conduct a rescue without entering the water. Unfortunately, they are often vandalised, stolen or tampered with, rendering them unavailable when they are required most. In one city alone, fifteen ring buoys go missing every week, costing more than €20,000 annually to replace. This initiative was developed to address the problem of theft and vandalism and to ensure that ring buoys are available when needed. Ring buoys have the potential to save lives, but only if they are present.

Objectives:
The main objective was to find a solution for a nationwide issue that challenges many local communities, using an innovative approach that aims to future-proof regions from vandalism to rescue equipment. Physical inspections were time consuming, delayed and expensive. A smart solution was needed to address the challenge of vandalised and stolen ring buoys.

Methods:
A low-cost, retrofit, technology solution was developed and deployed. A sensor is attached to the ring buoy housing. It monitors and alerts local authorities when ring buoys go missing. Real-time alerts remove the delay in detecting that they are stolen and speeds up replacement.An innovative procurement framework that invited suppliers to pilot several technologies before deciding on a successful solution, then allowed additional regions to introduce the winning solutions without beginning a new tender process. Results This new digital initiative has been rolled out to ensure that ringbuoys are ready to save lives at Ireland’s waterways. To date, more than 600 sensors have been installed. The sensors are paired with a mobile, map-based platform that has real-time monitoring, to notify the local authority.

Conclusion:
The challenge of getting local authorities to engage and install the technology was overcome with an innovative procurement framework. There is an increased number of visitors to our waterways, therefore there is a need to have lifesaving equipment in place and available. Before this solution, a ringbuoy inspection at aquatic locations was carried out on a weekly bi-weekly basis and took most of the day. This technology removes inspection times and enables immediate replacement. A stolen ring buoy can mean a stolen life but this system introduced in 2022 is addressing vandalism of essential public rescue equipment. Drowning Prevention

Water Safety Ireland  - Galway - Ireland

Introduction:
The UN General Assembly’s first ever resolution on Drowning Prevention was championed and proposed by the governments of Ireland and Bangladesh who along with 79 co-sponsoring countries agreed this historic UN effort to save lives. An associated Global Day of Recognition, World Drowning Prevention Day (WDPD), is held annually on 25 July. This global advocacy event served as an opportunity for Ireland to highlight the tragic and profound impact of drowning and to offer life-saving solutions to prevent it. It is an important, memorable day for the drowning prevention community worldwide and in Ireland, it has become a focal point for raising awareness about water safety.

Objectives:
The Author outlines the initiatives that were developed to commemorate WDPD in Ireland, to raise awareness about the resolution and to prompt action by various stakeholders.

Methods:
The Author outlines the efforts made to accelerate awareness of WDPD and the public awareness initiatives that prompted individuals and agencies to commemorate the day, including a range of safety messages on social media, a campaign welcoming the resolution, securing support from the President of Ireland, and downloadable resources for “I’m Going Blue for WDPD” which included an initiative that began as the face painting in blue of Lifeguards and emergency services personnel, and extended to members of the public, buildings and national heritage sites. Also outlined are the actions that called on individuals and agencies to “Do One Thing” such as learning one water safety skill or sharing one piece of water safety advice or changing one mind about safety. Campaigns will be outlined that encouraged individuals to be the one who takes responsibility for water safety and how it was emphasized that for someone at risk of drowning, that one thing could mean the world.

Results:
The development of a National Strategic Development Plan aligned to the Resolution will also be outlined. Knowledge sharing was improved by supplying resources that were easily shared across all forms of social media.

Conclusion:
Multi-Agency involvement is required. Appealing to the individual was a key strength of all campaigns. Early engagement with stakeholders improved the outcomes.

Key words: Drowning Prevention World Drowning Prevention Day, declared in April 2021 by General Assembly resolution A/RES/75/273

Water Safety Ireland  - Galway - Ireland

Introduction:
Water Safety Awareness, a somewhat broad and vague term, is a process which opens opportunities to disseminate information that improves understanding and attitudes necessary to change behaviour around water and prevent injuries. There are limited financial resources available in Ireland to invest in such water safety awareness campaigns that target a wide range of people at risk of drowning. Therefore, Water Safety Ireland (WSI) advocates on three levels to raise the level of public water safety awareness.

Objectives:
Firstly, the approaches and impacts by which WSI advocates the media to highlight water safety issues will be outlined.

Methods:
Methods include awarding members of the public who rescue others from drowning and giving rescuers and rescuees a voice in the media to spread messaging that highlights the underlying causes of an accident and the desired alternative behaviour; advocating through those directly affected by drowning tragedies to campaign for greater awareness; and advocating with those who are appointed “Water Safety Ambassadors” as a result of being respected in public life for their celebrity status or exceptional achievements. Secondly, the approaches and impacts by which WSI advocates Government will be outlined, including the creation of a Strategic Development Plan (2023-2027), supported by Government and delivered at national and community level. Thirdly, the approaches and impacts by which WSI advocates partners to build a drowning prevention network of decision makers from relevant organisations will be outlined. Related issue-focused strategic communications initiatives will be outlined.

Results:
Audience reach was improved by using simple targeted messages that are age and gender sensitive. Templated drowning prevention messaging, available in a wide variety of formats but consistent in message, increased the opportunities for others to leverage across a wider entire network. Conclusions: A well-planned advocacy awareness-raising campaign is arguably one of the most efficient means of communicating water safety issues to specific communities at risk. Using high-profile individuals to convey messages can help establish trust, reach the target audience, and raise difficult sensitive issues. However, forcing too many messages into a campaign risks distracting from the core message. Including a call to action is crucial.

Key words: Drowning Prevention Advocacy

Water Safety Ireland - Galway - Ireland