A volunteer from Clogherhead RNLI took to the pitch at Croke Park ahead of Saturday’s All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final to help promote vital water safety messages. Water Safety Officer Padraig Rath joined RNLI volunteers from across the country as part of the charity’s long-running partnership with the GAA, encouraging more than 80,000 supporters to stay safe around water and remember the lifesaving “Float to Live” advice this summer.
While most of the RNLI and GAA’s partnership work is carried out at club level through educational talks and presentations, the charity has been offered the opportunity for the last nine years to deliver a pitch activation in the national stadium on what is a key date in the GAA’s calendar. Together on Saturday, both organisations delivered key water safety messages to over 80,000 people who were attending the sellout match between the Rebels and Tribesmen and the earlier camogie championship quarter-final between Waterford and Kilkenny.
The joint activity consisted of a flag display on the pitch just before the 3.30pm throw-in. RNLI volunteers in full kit crossed the touchline and paraded towards the Hogan Stand before coming to a halt and allowing the flag to be displayed until the National Anthem was heard. The RNLI also premiered a new Float to Live film which was shot in County Wicklow, and which will be rolled out in the coming weeks.
Clogherhead RNLI Volunteer Joins Pitch Flag Display at Croke Park
Earlier in the afternoon, as fans entered the turnstiles, they were greeted by an Atlantic 85 class lifeboat which was on display while a team from the RNLI were on hand to interact in the fan zone, share water safety advice and demonstrate how to use
essential lifesaving equipment such as a throw bag. Speaking following the event in Croke Park, Padraig said: ‘It was a privilege to represent the RNLI and of course Louth, on what is such a big day in the GAA’s championship calendar.
‘This partnership, almost a decade on, is continuing to highlight the shared values we in the RNLI and the GAA have, notably volunteerism and the importance of communities. To have an opportunity in front of a full house, to promote water safety is wonderful and if our advice can help someone who finds themselves in difficulty or who sees someone
else in trouble, then that really is lifesaving.
‘We are now in peak summer season and one of the key messages we want people to know is that if you get into difficulty in the water this summer, Float to Live. Instinctively, most people in this situation, will begin to panic, swim, or thrash about. We’re urging people to ignore this instinct and remember to float: Tilt your head back, with your ears submerged. Relax and try to breathe normally. Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat if you need to. It’s fine if your legs sink, we all float differently. By doing this, you give yourself the chance to rest and recover your breathing. Once you’ve regained control of your breathing, you can call for help or swim to safety.’
