Refloating

First Response- Refloat:

HOTLINE: +353 89 4625374.

Protect the animal from the elements: For the animals’ comfort and well being, provide shade from direct sunlight and protection from the wind if needed.

Refloating: If the animal appears in good condition, has no injuries or signs of disease or sickness, i.e no mucus coming from blow hole and breathing is stable - it may be a candidate for re-floating. It is always best to get the animal back into the water as quickly as possible post assessment where a stranding report form is fully filled out, then provide as much physical support as necessary to keep the animal stable, upright, and free to breathe. Floating in the water is the easiest and most natural way to keep the animal moist, relieve pressure on the pectoral fins and internal organs and to minimise stress since you are now maintaining the animal in his natural environment.

Note: Responders will need certain equipment to re-float dolphins and whales. This includes a dry suit/ wetsuit, shoes with good grips, and a tarpaulin or floating pontoon for large whales. As pontoons are modular in design several sets can be linked together and used on larger whales to provide enough buoyancy, this has been done on many occasions but requires specialist training.