Irish people who travel to the seaside over the bank holiday weekend should be particularly careful to choose beaches with lifeguards, rather than remote strands away from crowds, according to Mr John Leech, chief executive officer of the Irish Water Safety Association (IWSA).
"We can't stress enough how important it is to go to beaches where lifeguards are on duty. This is particularly important for weak swimmers who may need somebody to step in if they get into difficulty."
The IWSA has called on swimmers to be extra vigilant this weekend and to avoid going into the sea alone. Swimmers are advised to stay parallel to the shore. Parents are urged to be particularly vigilant about the safety of their children.
The IWSA has warned that water wings and other blow-up swimming aids should not be used in place of life vests. "They often give a false sense of security and can even be dangerous if they deflate suddenly or if your child slips out of them. Enrolling children in swimming classes means that they are also less likely to act recklessly."
There is an average of 66 accidental drownings per year in Ireland. There was a total of 38 drownings in the 20-29 age group over the past three years alone.
Increased affluence has also led to an increase in registered boats, with 6,000 boats registered in Shannon, compared to 2,000 10 years ago. "People are going out without any formal training and are failing to wear life jackets. Alcohol is another factor in relation to drownings at this time of year. People are relaxed by drinking and their skills are impaired."