Every year many drownings occur while engaged in aquatic activities - where people intended on being in the water, but something went wrong.
Key Messages:
Drowning is Preventable: Over 400 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 - distractions are deadly.
Be Boat Smart - Wear a Lifejacket: Choose It. Use It. Always wear a lifejacket when in a boat.
Learn to Swim to Survive: Everyone should have the right to learn swim survival skills. If you don’t know how to swim take a Swim to Survive class.
Swim with a buddy: Take a buddy and look out for each other, its what friends do.
Know your limits: Stay sober when in, on or around the water. Alcohol consumption is a factor in almost 40% of boating-related fatalities. Both alcohol and cannabis use impairs judgment, reflexes and balance.
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.
Know the facts:
20% of people drowned unexpectedly and 2/3 occur in open water.
Many drowning deaths happen when swimming alone.
If you’re not within arms’ reach, you’ve gone too far! Always actively supervise children.
Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional death among Canadians under 60+ years of age.
The age groups with the highest risk of drowning are young adults 20-34 years of age, baby boomers 50-64 years of age and seniors over 65 years of age. Children under the age of 5 are also at risk.
Most commonly victims of drowning are male, especially those between 20-34 years of age
Open Water Messages
Know before you go! Check weather and water conditions before heading out.
Know what’s below! Protect your neck. Go feet first into water the first time. Never dive into shallow water.
Substance use and swimming don’t mix.
Lifejackets don’t work if you don’t wear them or wear them correctly.
Lifesaving Society Alberta and NWT adapted for StettlerLocal.com July 23, 2020 12:10 PM
B Adair, Manager
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