Live Stranding Training 2025

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) is running Live Stranding Response Training Courses to train new volunteers and refresh the skills of existing responders across some of Ireland’s coastal counties this summer 2025 in how to deal with live stranded cetaceans (dolphins, porpoises or whales)
For 2025, course locations will include:
📍 Kerry (Ballybunion) – Sunday 10th August – Book HERE
📍 Galway (Salthill) – Saturday 9th August – Book HERE
📍 Mayo (Kilcummin Harbour) –  Saturday 5th July – Book HERE
📍 Louth (Blackrock) – Saturday 14th June – Book HERE
Live stranding events can be unpredictable, physically challenging, and emotionally distressing.
We’re looking for volunteers who are:
  • Comfortable around the sea and surf
  • Physically fit and happy to work as part of a team (moving stranded animals safely is always a team effort!)
  • In possession of a wet suit or dry suit, PFD and capable of working safely in cold water conditions
  • Happy to take advice on what is best for the welfare of the animal, with a strong focus on safety and teamwork
  • Able to stay calm, logical, and focused on human safety and animal welfare — even when under public pressure to deliver unrealistic expectations
  • Willing, if needed, to step into the role of Volunteer Response Coordinator at a live stranding
If that sounds like you, we’d love you to join our growing national network of trained volunteers!

 

What to Expect on the training day

The day includes a morning classroom session and an afternoon practical session on the beach.
You’ll learn best practices for responding to live strandings, covering assessment, stabilisation, teamwork, and safe refloating techniques.
We’ll practice together using water filled life-sized dolphin and pilot whale training models, focusing on communication, site safety, and working together as a team during realistic stranding scenarios.
On completion of the course, participants may register with the IWDG Stranding Network as a live stranding responder.
Please note: All IWDG volunteer responders must have active IWDG membership and have signed up to our Stranding Network.

 

Topics We’ll Cover

  • How to identify different species and understand basic cetacean biology
  • Common causes of live strandings
  • Palliative care for critically ill or injured animals
  • Risk assessment and working safely at a stranding
  • Rescue techniques and how to refloat an animal safely
  • Recording and reporting stranding events properly
You’ll come away with the knowledge and skills to make a real difference if you ever encounter a live stranding — following the latest international best practices.

 

Important to Know

  • A complimentary one-year IWDG membership is included for participants booking at the non-member training rate.
  • We will be using real-life footage in the palliative care section, showing dolphins in distress, injured, or bleeding. These are situations you may encounter as a responder. Some people may find this footage distressing.
  • Live stranding events involve wild animals, who during a live stranding are often very distressed and unpredictable.
  • Responders must always prioritise their own safety and work calmly as a team.
  • Everyone must bring a wet suit or dry suit to take part in the practical session and as an active IWDG live stranding responder.
  • You’ll also need sturdy footwear for entering the water (such as wetsuit boots, water shoes, or old runners — no bare feet).
  • You must take part in the practical session (refloating the dolphin or pilot whale replica) to successfully complete the course.
  • We never go deeper than waist depth during a refloat.
  • Bring a packed lunch.
  • The course will go ahead in rain, hail, or shine — unless there’s a red weather warning. Please dress appropriately for being active outdoors for about three hours including entering the water.
  • Refunds are only available if you contact livestrandings@iwdg.ie at least 48 hours before the event.
  • Minimum age: 18+, or 16+ if accompanied by a parent or guardian.

 

What’s Included in Your Course

  • One-year IWDG membership (for new participants booking at the non-member training rate)
  • IWDG Stranding Booklet
  • IWDG Live Stranding Card
  • IWDG Face to Face with a Beached Whale PDF
  • IWDG Cetacean Welfare document

 

Accreditation

This is an official accredited IWDG Live Stranding Response course, helping to build a trained, confident volunteer network across Ireland.

 

Pricing

These courses are being subsidised by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) and some local authorities to make them accessible to the general public and IWDG members. As soon as we have finalised funding, we will be opening the booking links.

If you are attending in a professional capacity (e.g. staff from NPWS, Local Authorities, DAFM, or other government agencies), please register at the full price rate.

🔔 Please remember in any live stranding situation:

  • Never drag a dolphin by the tail — this can cause severe pain, stress, and life-ending injuries for the animal.

  • If you see a dolphin in distress or stranded, call the IWDG Live Stranding Hotline: 097 28118.

  • IWDG has a network of trained volunteers all around Ireland’s coast who can assist live stranded animals.

  • Live stranded animals can be unpredictable, keep your distance and keep quiet and calm when near any live stranded animal.