Most
Canadians have learned that to be a safe driver you wear a seatbelt and
don't drink and drive. When it comes to water safety however, it can be
a different story.
Canadians don't always see themselves at risk for drowning. Boaters may drink
and ride and often forget to wear-or bring-flotation devices. People also swim
or wade into rivers with a strong current, drink before swimming and diving,
and install home swimming pools without an automatic safety gate.
According to a new
report just released by the Canadian Red Cross, Canadians need to understand
the risks involved when they are on or near water. The 10-year study Drownings
and other water-related injuries in Canada analyses long-term trends in
drownings and near drownings. Between 1991 and 2000, 5,900 people died and 3,526
were hospitalized for near drowning, some with permanent brain damage. The majority
of drowning victims were male. Most of these deaths and near deaths were preventable.
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Future
modules to focus on boating, fishing and Aboriginal peoples
This year, the Canadian Red Cross released its first
two modules on drowning prevention research in Canada: the detailed Overview
module outlined above and an examination of drowning related to Ice
and Cold Water. Future modules will focus on powered boating, unpowered
boating, fishing, and Aboriginal peoples. |
Water safety
programs are working
The good news is that deaths overall from drowning—especially among children—have
decreased across Canada due to better water safety training and education programs
for swimming and boating. Although these trends are very encouraging, there
is more work to be done. The Canadian Red Cross recommends key changes in legislation,
enforcement and individual behaviour
that could move Canada closer to having no deaths from drowning.
The 5 changes
that could make a difference
The Red Cross report recommends a combination of legislation, enforcement and
training in five key areas that could save hundreds of lives every year.
- All boaters should wear an appropriate personal flotation device (PFD).
Failure to wear a quality
PFD that fits properly is a major risk factor for boating. A change in
legislation, enforcement and training for all boaters—especially adult
males—would eliminate up to 90% of all boating drownings and up to 35% of
all drownings in Canada.
- All home swimming pools should be required to install an automatic, self-closing
and self-latching gate.
This requirement for both in-ground and above ground home pools
could eliminate nearly all pool drownings of toddlers, and prevent about 10%
of all drownings in Canada.
Laws governing swimming pool safety are, for the most part, under the jurisdiction
of local municipalities. Many Canadian communities have already passed bylaws
that set the minimum height at 5 feet (1.52 metres), the maximum ground clearance
at 3 inches (7.62 cm), and the requirement of a self-closing, self-latching
lock on the gate. Not all municipal legislation includes regulations for above
ground swimming pools. Check with local authorities for any regulations about
pool safety features in your area.
- Everyone should avoid alcohol in, on or around the water, swimming, boating
or snowmobiling.
Alcohol and water don't mix. Legislation and enforcement, together with training
and education to limit the use of alcohol in, on or around the water could
prevent about 30% of all drownings in Canada as well as other tragedies
such as boating collisions.
The province of Ontario has just passed a new
impaired boating law to curb drinking and boating. Under the new legislation,
Ontarians who operate a boat with a blood alcohol level of 0.05 to 0.08 will
have their motor vehicle driver's licences immediately suspended for 12 hours.
If their level is above 0.08, driver's licences will be automatically suspended
for 90 days.
- All snowmobilers should have special equipment to help them escape if they
fall through the ice—even if this happens at night.
Every snowmobiler who travels over water should wear a flotation-hypothermia
suit with an attached ice-pick. New snowmobiles should be equipped with flotation
devices and ice picks that pop out into water and are visible in the dark.
This could prevent about 4% of all drownings.
- All water safety programs should include information on how to manage river
current.
By training people about current, how to move safely through a current and
use the power of current for self-rescue, this could prevent about 30% of
all drownings every year.
The report says that by implementing these five changes through appropriate
regulations, enforcement and education, Canada would be taking a significant
step to eliminating most drownings and other water-related deaths every year.
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This article was prepared by The Canadian Health Network and reviewed by SMARTRISK, the CHN 
