Getting the word out about water safety is key to helping to prevent drowning and is the focus of National Drowning Prevention Week in Canada, July 17 to 23.
The Lifesaving Society Alberta and Northwest Territories Branch provides information and tips for parents and caregivers about water safety, according to Chief Administrative Officer Barbara Costache.
“We want people to enjoy themselves but we want them to be water safe,” she said. “Anytime they’re in or around the water, there’s some key tips that are easy to do and will prevent drowning.”
Costache said one of the most important tips for parents and caregivers is to ensure they are “actively supervising and within arms reach” of small children, particularly those under the age of eight and those that can’t swim.
“We need parents and caregivers to actually be listening, watching and aware of what’s going on,” she said. “Sometimes you might see that mom or dad on the beach texting or that sort of thing – active supervision goes along with being in arms reach.”
According to Lifesaving Society drowning statistics, in 2013 there was 466 drownings in Canada with 56 in Alberta. Eighty per cent of drowning deaths are male and 37 per cent of drownings occurring in lakes.
“What we’re finding in our drowning statistics is it’s not just children that are drowning. Swimming is a high recreational activity for increases in drowning in adults and older adults,” Costache said.
One of the statistics that is also on the rise is the number of drownings involving seniors.
“We also have a much higher incidence of bathtub drownings now with seniors and it’s because they’re alone,” Costache said.
Vic Klassen, general manager at the Hamlets of Cedarwood, said there are some simple tip seniors living independently can follow so they don’t become a statistic.
“Put a non-slip rubber mat in (the bathtub),” he said. “You can get grab bars and have them attached to your walls and things for extra support and assistance when you’re getting in and out, and have somebody (else) around.”
Costache said the Lifesaving Society recommends all individuals engaged in water recreation do so with a buddy – whether that’s swimming, boating or fishing.
Wearing a life jacket is also key to safe water recreation.
“We know that life jackets save lives,” Costache said. “It’s important that individuals are wearing life jackets not just for boating but also in recreational swimming environments – backyard pools, public swimming pools, lakes, rivers, ponds, that sort of thing.
“If you’re at the lake, put the little ones in a life jacket and then if there is a momentary lapse in supervision, the life jacket will keep them at the surface at least.”
For more information and tips about water safety, go to lifesaving.org
