The public is urged to take care to help prevent deaths on the water this World Drowning Prevention Day.
Water Safety Ireland, the Irish Coast Guard and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) say participation in water-based activities has increased, especially in smaller craft such as kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddle boards.
Roger Sweeney, Deputy CEO of Water Safety Ireland, said: "Our call to action for World Drowning Prevention Day is that swimmers be aware of dangerous rip currents and to swim at lifeguarded waterways or at a place that is traditionally known locally to be safe.
"Rips are strong currents running out to sea that can quickly drag people from the shallows into deeper water.
"The best way to avoid rips is to swim at a lifeguarded waterway between the red and yellow flags.
"Last summer, lifeguards rescued 583 people nationwide and provided first aid 6,500 times so let lifeguards be there for you this summer."
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Water Safety Ireland's Chief Executive Joanne Walsh said the best thing to do if caught in a rip tide it to relax, try to float and swim parallel to the shore.
The water safety groups also called on people to have well-maintained equipment, a means of calling for help and properly fitting lifejackets or flotation devices on every trip.
This time of year sees many people take their first summer dip, who may not be acclimatised to the dangers on open water such as hidden depths and hazards, entanglement and dangerous currents.
Ms Walsh said: "A (swimming) pool might be 27 degrees, lovely and warm.
"You get into our waterways and the coast may be 17/18 degrees at the moment and the lake will be colder.
"So first of all, the muscles aren't going to work as well in the water so you can get into difficulty quicker.
"So before you go into the water, acclimatise yourself to that water, just splashing a little bit of water on your torso, around the neck, so that the body is getting ready to enter that cold shock."
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Ms Walsh added that inflatables should not be brought into waterways and children should be constantly supervised.
Linda-Gene Byrne, RNLI Regional Water Safety Lead, added: "Many of the incidents during the school holidays involve children and teenagers and we would urge everyone – but families in particular – to be aware of the risks and know what to do in an emergency.
"The challenge for World Drowning Prevention Day is one that can easily be adopted by families enjoying the water with a simple conversation before engaging in their chosen activity."
Ms Walsh added that if a person in difficulty cannot get back to shore, they should try to raise their hand and get someone's attention.
"We wouldn't encourage anyone to enter the water and try to save someone unless they are a lifeguard," she said.
Instead, she recommended the 'Shout, Leave, Throw' guidelines.
Shout out to orientate the person back to land.
Reach with something that will prevent the person getting into the water.
Throw if a life buoy is nearby.
"And at the same time, ring 999," Ms Walsh added.
