National Drowning Prevention Week, held July 21-27, 2019, is the Lifesaving Society’s annual drowning prevention awareness event. These statistics are from the Canadian Drowning Report – 2018 Edition.
- Drowning is Preventable. Approximately 500 Canadians die in preventable water-related incidents annually. Even one drowning is one too many.
- Watch me, not your phone. Always actively supervise children around the water - if you’re not within arms’ reach, you’ve gone too far.
- Be Boat Smart - Wear a Lifejacket. Choose It. Use It. Always wear a lifejacket when in a boat.
- Learn to Swim to Survive. In most drownings, the victim never intended to go in the water and was often close to safety – could you survive a sudden and unexpected fall into the water?
- Swim with a buddy. Make smart choices before going into or out on the water.
- Know your limits. Alcohol consumption is a factor in almost 40% of boating-related fatalities. Both alcohol and cannabis use impairs judgment, reflexes and balance. Stay sober when in, on or around the water.
- Be Water Smart all year round. You can save a life – yours and someone else’s. Take a learn-to-swim, lifesaving or first aid class today.