Live Stranding Training 2026

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) is running Live Stranding Response Training Courses this summer to train new volunteers and refresh the skills of existing responders across Ireland’s coastal counties.

📍 Sligo (Mullaghmore) – Saturday 25th April – Sold out
📍 Clare (Whitestrand) – Saturday 13th June – Book HERE
📍 Kerry (Ballinskelligs) –  Saturday 27th June – (blended learning*) – Bookings opening soon
📍 Waterford (Helvic) – Saturday 8th August (blended learning*) – Bookings opening soon
📍 Cork (Fountainstown beach) – Sunday 9th August (blended learning*) – Bookings opening soon

(Blended learning includes a live online theory session in advance, followed by the beach-based practical training.)

Overview

Learn to respond to stranded dolphins & whales: from refloating healthy animals to providing welfare care, including humane end-of-life support when needed.

Live strandings are rare but challenging events that require a calm, coordinated, and welfare-focused response. This hands-on course equips you with the knowledge and practical skills to assist safely and effectively when dolphins or other small cetaceans strand alive on our shores.

When a live stranding is reported to the IWDG hotline, trained responders are tasked to attend. The first responder on scene carries out an initial risk and health assessment, sharing this with the Live Stranding Coordinator, who consults with veterinary support. Decisions are always made in the best interest of the animal — from refloating healthy individuals to providing palliative care where recovery is not possible.

 

Who We’re Looking For

Live stranding events are unpredictable, physically demanding, and can be emotionally challenging.

We’re looking for volunteers who:

  • Are comfortable around the sea and surf
  • Are physically fit and able to work as part of a team
  • Have a wetsuit or drysuit and buoyancy aid (PFD), and can work safely in cold water
  • Can stay calm, logical, and focused on human safety and animal welfare
  • Are willing to follow guidance and, if needed, step into a Volunteer Response Coordinator role

If this 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 scene assessment, stabilisation, teamwork, and safe refloating techniques, with a strong focus on human safety and animal welfare.

During the practical session, you’ll work with life-sized, water-filled dolphin and pilot whale models, practising communication, site safety, and coordinated team response in 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 hold active IWDG membership and be signed up to the Stranding Network.

 

What the Course Covers

  • Assessing a live stranding scene safely
  • Basic cetacean biology and species identification
  • Stabilising and supporting a live stranded animal
  • Safe refloating techniques
  • Palliative care and end-of-life welfare considerations
  • Working as part of a coordinated response team
  • Recording and reporting stranding events

 

What to Bring

  • Wetsuit or drysuit
  • Buoyancy aid (PFD)
  • Suitable footwear (no bare feet)
  • Warm clothing and layers
  • Packed lunch and drinking water(note to join IWDG Live Stranding network as an active responder, you will need a PFD and a wetsuit or drysuit)

 

Important Information

  • You must take part in the practical session to complete the course
  • You must be physically able to enter the water to waist depth and assist as part of a team
  • Some course material may be upsetting
  • Responders must prioritise human safety and work as part of a coordinated team
  • Not all animals can be refloated — welfare is always the priority
  • There are no dolphin rehabilitation facilities in Ireland
  • Minimum age: 18 years

What’s Included

  • One-year IWDG membership (for non-members only)
  • IWDG Stranding Booklet
  • IWDG Live Stranding Card

Accreditation

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

CVE Credits pending (Veterinary Council of Ireland) – For registered veterinary professionals only

Pricing

This course has been subsidised by the IWDG and local authorities to make it accessible.

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

🔔 In Case of a Live Stranding

  • Do not drag the animal, especially by the tail
  • Keep the area quiet and calm
  • Keep your distance — animals can be unpredictable
  • Call the IWDG Live Stranding Hotline: 097 28118

IWDG has a national network of trained volunteers who can assist.