Banna Rescue

In the early hours, Kerry Fire and Rescue Service dealt with a dune fire at Banna Strand. With warm, dry conditions continuing, the fire risk in the sand dunes still remains very high.

Please help protect this fragile habitat:
🔥 Do not light BBQs or campfires.
🚭 Never discard ci******es or matches.
🚯 Take all litter home.
📞 Report any signs of fire immediately to the Fire Service.

A single spark can cause devastating damage to wildlife, habitats, and nearby communities. Please enjoy the outdoors responsibly.

With high temperatures sending sun-seekers to beaches around the county, local water rescue organisations, Banna Rescue, Fenit RNLI, Valentia RNLI and the Irish Coast Guard's Marine Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) at Valentia are urging members of the public to enjoy the coast while taking simple precautions to stay safe.

Full Kerry's Eye Article by Audrey Reidy (below) …

Volunteers from Banna Rescue and the RNLI are reminding those visiting Kerry's beaches that planning ahead and knowing what to do in an emergency can save lives. Secretary of Banna Rescue, Brian Crean, said the most important message for beach-goers is to act immediately if they see someone getting into difficulty in the water. "If you witness an accident, emergency or someone in distress, it is vital to act immediately and call 999, or 112, and ask for the Coast Guard," Brian said. "Drowning can happen quickly and quietly, and every second counts. By calling, you alert trained emergency responders who have the equipment and expertise. Even if you are unsure how serious the matter is, make the call. It's classified as a call of good intent. Emergency services would much rather receive a genuine call made in good faith than have someone hesitate and risk a life being lost." Brian advised people to stay calm when speaking to the emergency operator, give their exact location, clearly describe the situation and keep the casualty in sight while responders make their way to the rescue location. He added that while someone may appear to have recovered after inhaling water, complications can develop later, so anyone involved in a water-related incident should still receive medical assessment. "Paramedics and other rescue personnel are trained to identify these risks and ensure the casualty receives the appropriate care," Brian said.

Fenit RNLI is also encouraging anyone planning to spend time on or near the water to prepare before setting out. Branch PRO Mary O'Brien Browne said a quick weather forecast check should be carried out by all beach-goers before they set off for the beach. "We're encouraging everyone planning on getting out in the water to check the local weather, carry a charged mobile phone on them at all times and avoid using inflatables," she said. "If you get into any difficulty, use the RNLI's 'Float to Live' technique by floating like a starfish. Don't be afraid to raise the alarm if you see someone in difficulty and always look for help.

Echoing this advice, Valentia RNLI PRO Michelle Curran also urged those who get into trouble in the water to resist the instinct to panic and use the 'Float to Live' technique. "Try to relax and float on your back, with your head tilted back, gently moving your hands and legs to help you stay afloat," Michelle advises. "This buys valuable time to get your breathing back under control before then calling for help or swimming to safety." Michelle also encouraged people to choose lifeguarded beaches whenever possible and to swim between the red and yellow flags. "If you can't choose a lifeguarded beach, find out about your chosen beach before you visit by checking weather and tide times and reading local safety signage," she said. The RNLI PRO said the charity is asking people to share its water safety advice with family and friends throughout the summer - passing on such vital information could help prevent future tragedies. The RNLI is also reminding members of the public to never enter the water to try to rescue someone in difficulty - as this could put your own life in danger. Instead, the advice is to remember the simple steps: 'Phone, Throw, Float' and call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard. Those who might be witnessing someone in difficulty are also advised to encourage the person to float on their back, and to throw them something buoyant, such as a lifebuoy or other floating object, while waiting for emergency services to arrive.

At Valentia Marine Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) Watch Officer Sue McKinney is advising anyone who is heading out sailing to make sure to have proper safety equipment onboard. "And always be in contact with someone on land and have your personal floatation device. Check the weather forecast and if out under the sun, make sure you have your water and sunscreen to hand," she said. With beaches expected to remain busy during the warm spell, rescue volunteers hope that a few simple safety measures will help ensure everyone enjoy the coast safely this summer.

No shortage of activity for volunteers over the past few days. Crews have delivered two school talks, met hundreds of people at Emergency Service Day, supported a community swim event, conducted countless hours of equipment maintenance, completed some external training and responded to an emergency tasking.

Every hour given by volunteers helps keep the community safer, whether that's through education, prevention, preparation, or emergency response.

📸 A few shots from the Personal Survival Techniques and Capsize course at the National Maritime College of Ireland.

On 31 May 1997, Liscahane, Ardfert, set a national May temperature record when temperatures reached 28.4 Celsius. While the recent spell of lovely weather has been warmly welcomed, beachgoers are reminded to take care near the water, particularly as sea temperatures remain quite cold despite the sunshine. Swimmers are advised to stay within their depth, supervise children closely and always check for Rip currents before entering the water.

As National Water Safety Awareness Week comes to a close, Banna volunteers were delighted to visit the pupils of Kilmoyley National School to share important water safety messages and talk about the work of the lifeboat crew. By going into schools, rescue teams help children learn:

✅ Water safety skills.
✅ How to spot danger near the coast and rivers.
✅ What to do in an emergency.
✅ The importance of looking out for each other.


A simple lesson today could save a life tomorrow.

Land, sea and air rescue teams working together 🫡

Volunteers from Banna Rescue, Glenderry Coast Guard and Ballybunion Coast Guard teamed up with rescue helicopter, Rescue 115, for some training exercises earlier this week; plenty of learning and teamwork.

These sessions are all about staying ready for the real thing.

During training the team concentrated on restricted manoeuvring operations. Close quarters, tight turns, controlled thrust and clear communication … every turn, every throttle adjustment and every command matters.


Train hard. Stay sharp. 🫡