Drowning is one of the most common causes of accidental death in Canada. It
is the leading cause of death for recreational and sporting activities. According
to the Canadian Red Cross, between 1991 and 2000 almost 6000 people died from
drowning and over 3000 people had to be hospitalized for near-drowning incidents.
Children under the age of 4 and adult boaters are most at risk.
Most drowning incidents happen because of boating, swimming and playing near
unprotected water. People who do these types of water-related activities must
be aware of the dangers and risks of drowning. The first step to prevent drowning
is to know it can happen. Here are some tips that can protect you from water-related
injuries and drowning. Sticking to these simple suggestions will help keep everyone
safe while enjoying water activities!
Swimming
- Make sure you know how to swim. Swimming lessons are important and
will teach you both water safety and swimming skills. Check with your local
recreation centre for swimming courses in your area.
- Younger children should ALWAYS be supervised by an adult while around
water.
- Don't swim alone.
- Wear a personal flotation device (PFD) if you're not a strong
swimmer.
- If you're swimming in lakes or oceans, be careful about swimming
in currents and make sure you know what to do if you get caught in a current.
- Never dive into shallow water since this can cause head and spinal
injuries
- Alcohol and swimming do not mix.
- If you have a home pool, make sure it's properly fenced and has
a gate that can close and latch by itself.
Boating
- Always wear a lifejacket or PFD that meets Canadian safety standards
when you're on board a boat. More than half of all drownings happen because
people weren't wearing PFDs.
- Don't drink alcohol while boating. Alcohol is a very common factor
in preventable water-related deaths.
- Check the local weather conditions before heading out on the water.
- Know how to steer your boat and make sure you meet all licensing and
age laws before you take it out on the water.
- Be aware of your surroundings at all times and drive at moderate speeds.
Ice safety
- If you're snowmobiling, skating, fishing or walking on ice,
make sure to stay away from rivers and lakes and reservoirs with moving water.
- When you're doing any activity that takes place on ice, make
sure you know how thick the ice is. Ice thickness can differ from one place
to another so it's important that you make sure it's safe before
you go ahead with your activity.
Additional Resources
Canadian Red Cross
Safe
Kids Canada
The Lifesaving Society
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