Warning: An image in this post contains graphic content of injuries
Donegal’s sea dippers have been warned to be extremely careful during this cold snap due to the dangers of hypothermia.
The fast-acting condition left one local woman covered in cuts and bruises when she became disorientated in the water in the Lough Swilly area.
The woman had stayed in the water longer than normal as she was searching for her partner on the shore.
Despite being an experienced dipper, her body temperature dropped to such a dangerous level that she got into a confused state and came ashore in an unfamiliar area, cutting her legs on the rocks and brambles.
The woman’s partner located her and she quickly received medical attention.
The woman shared a photo of her injuries with Lough Swilly RNLI in the hope of alerting others to the dangers of when hypothermia strikes.
“We would urge the public to be careful in the sea, especially during this cold snap,” they said.
For further information on water safety, click on the links below.
https://watersafety.ie
https://rnli.org/safety
If you see anyone in difficulty on land or sea, call 999/112 and ask for the Coast Guard.
