Royal Life Saving Society Canada
Drowning prevention
Though Drowning Prevention Week
was observed in July, it’s important to talk
about basic water safety skills all year,
especially during the summer months when
swimming and boating are regular
pastimes.
Swimming pools, lakes and rivers offer
year-round fun if they are enjoyed safely.
But every year about 160 people drown in
Ontario. Drowning is the second leading
cause of accidental death for children under
five years old, and statistics show that
children under 12, boaters, young men and
seniors 65+ are at greatest risk.
Drowning is fast and silent, but every
drowning death is preventable with water
safety knowledge and common sense.
Remembering some important water
safety tips for everyone is a good place to
start:
4 Learn to swim
4 Always swim with a buddy
4 Children and non-swimmers should
always be supervised around water
4 Wear a lifejacket whenever you are in
a boat
4 Alcohol and water don't mix: don't
drink and swim, don't drink and
drive your boat
Drowning is fast and silent
supervision in and around the water. Adults,
especially men, sometimes take
unnecessary risks, overestimate their
abilities or use alcohol while boating. Older
adults may not realize that medications and
age can change their abilities. Knowing the
risks and understanding water safety can
help ensure that everyone has fun.
Water safety facts:
u Children under five, young men and older
adults have the highest drowning risk
Drowning facts
Children and families love to spend
time around the water. To make sure
everyone has fun, it's important to know
how to stay safe and be water smart.
Children under 12 have an increased
drowning risk and need attentive
u Teenage brains can encourage risk-taking
behaviour
u Drowning can occur in is little as a few
centimetres of water
u Drowning is fast and silent - not like in
the movies. There's no splashing and no
screaming.
u Bathtub drownings occur every year
among young children and older adults
More water safety tips
4 Stay within arms' reach of children under
five
4 Always swim and boat with a buddy
4 Alcohol and water don't mix. Don't drink
and swim. Don't drink and drive your
boat
4 Take swimming lessons
4 Swim in lifeguarded areas
4 Check your medication for possible side
effects that will affect your endurance or
swimming ability
4 Know your limits - age and health can
affect your swimming abilities
For more information about staying safe in the water this summer, visit
lifesavingsociety.com
6 The HUB August 2017