SKERRIES RNLI was requested to launch last Sunday week (September 1) to search for two female divers reported missing in the vicinity of Red Island headland in Skerries.
Dublin Coast Guard requested the lifeboat to launch at 11am. The volunteer crew launched their inshore lifeboat with Joe May as helm, and crewmembers Peter Kennedy, Stephen Crowley and Paddy Dillon also on board.
The lifeboat proceeded to the area to begin the search. After a short time searching a number of divers were seen on the shore at a local swimming spot called the
‘Springers’.
A crewmember was put ashore to ascertain if these were the divers that had been reported missing. It was quickly determined that they were and that one female diver was in need of urgent medical assistance.
Volunteer RNLI tractor driver and Dublin Fire Brigade emergency first responder, Paul Hamilton, and Skerries RNLI medical advisor, Dr Seamus Mulholland, were quickly on scene to begin offering medical assistance to the casualty.
They were then joined by members of the Skerries Coast Guard unit, who had also been tasked to help in the initial search. Skerries Fire Brigade, who were responding to the call, also arrived at the scene within minutes.
The casualty was suffering from severe hypothermia and jellyfish stings to the face and was in a serious condition.
It was decided that a medical transfer to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda by the Coast Guard helicopter R116 was the best option.
The helicopter landed at Red Island and personnel from all of the emergency services carried the casualty to the helicopter and placed her on board.
The lifeboat then recovered the volunteer crewmember before returning to base.
Speaking after the call-out, Gerry Canning, Volunteer Life-boat Press Officer for Skerries RNLI, said:
“This was a perfect example of how well our volunteers and all the other emergency services work together to ensure that casualties get the best possible care and in the quickest possible time.
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