National Drowning Prevention Week 2023

• With over 450 Canadians drowning in preventable water-related incidents annually, drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional death among Canadians under 60+ years of age. Even one drowning is one too many.
• 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. 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.
• Over 236,000 people drown every year worldwide, NDPW leads into World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25th.

The majority of drownings in children under 5 years of age is due to a lack of supervision.

• Drowning is fast and silent; often occurring in less than 30 seconds:
• It is critical that parents watch their children while they are in the water and not be distracted – watch your children not your phone.
• Stay within arm’s reach! Adults should always be within arm’s reach of young children when in or near the water.
• Watch Me Not Your Phone
• Unattended toddlers are high risk because they are mobile, curious and require close and constant supervision by an adult.
• Lifejackets and other flotation devices are a layer of protection, but do not replace adult supervision.
• Most of these children were alone and playing near water when they fell in and drowned.

Backyard Pool Safety:

• Each year, private backyard pools continue to be the primary setting where children 1-4 years of age most often drown.
• Provide on guard and direct supervision by designating a responsible adult to be a ‘backyard pool lifeguard’.
• Complete a backyard pool safety checklist.

• Always Wear a Lifejacket
• Get the training! Take your boating safety course – get your Pleasure Craft Operator Card.
• Be Prepared. Check the weather forecast and learn about local hazards.
• Always have a boat safety kit on board. Check the condition of the boat and accessories.
• STARTboating® is a national program from the Lifesaving Society designed to educate new boaters on the basics of how to be safe and responsible boaters.
• Don't boat alone. Boating alone was a major risk factor in boating-related fatalities.
• Watch out for other swimmers and boaters. Always have a spotter when towing water skiers and tube riders.
• Ensure you have boating equipment that is appropriate to the season.
• Inflatables can obstruct views, float away and take children/adults further out than they intended to be. Limit the use and number of inflatables/pool toys, do not bring them when it is windy. Always wear a lifejacket on board.

• Swim skills need to be taught; they are not innate.
• Most drowning occur close to safety – can you survive an accidental or unintentional fall into the water?
• Basic swimming ability is a requirement of any meaningful attempt to eliminate drowning in Canada.
• Swim to Survive® defines the minimum swim skills needed to survive an unexpected fall into deep water.
• Swim to Survive® is different than swimming lessons not a replacement for them.
• Swim to Survive® teaches the necessary skills to survive an unexpected fall into deep water. Meeting the Canadian Swim to Survive® Standard is an important first step to being safe around water.
• The Swim to Survive Skills are based on most common contributors to drowning in Canada
• Make sure all family members can learn the 3 skills:
  • Roll into deep water
  • Tread water for 1 minute
  • Swim 50 meters

Boat & Swim Sober

• Alcohol and drugs impair your senses, reduce your ability to react to danger, and increase your chance of being involved in a fatal drowning.
• Impaired boating is just like impaired driving. By operating a boat under the influence, you put not only your life at risk, but also those of your passengers and other boaters.

Alcohol and Water Don’t Mix!

• Alcohol is the number one intoxicant contributing to drowning fatalities in Canada every year.
• Alcohol is a contributing factor to fatal drowning in 35% of boating fatalities and of 31% swimming fatalities every year in Canada.
• Don’t Drink and Drown!

Stay Safe

• On average, 70% of all fatal drownings in Canada occur in open water such as lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and ditches.
• Swimming in open water is different from swimming in a pool. Know your limits and check local conditions before going in.
• If you’re not within arms’ reach, you’ve gone too far!
• Always supervise children.
• Never Alone: Many fatal drownings occur when people are swimming alone. Always swim with a buddy!
• When you have the choice, swim in supervised open water areas or environments.
• Include messaging about never using a boat, inflatable, or kayak alone.

Be Prepared

• Know before you go! Check weather and water conditions before heading out.
• Know what’s below! Go in feet first the first time.
• Protect your neck! Never dive into shallow water.
• Areas of open water may have currents or waves that can pull you under. Learn local conditions before entering.
• Leave inflatable mattresses or other floating toys at home. At the lake or beach, you are at a risk to be swept out past safety.
• Inflatables can obstruct views, float away and take children/adults further out than they intended to be. Limit the use and number of inflatables/pool toys, do not bring them when it is windy. Always wear a lifejacket on board.

• Basic swimming ability is a requirement of any meaningful attempt to eliminate drowning in Canada.
• Register yourself and your family in Lifesaving Society swimming lessons. Swimming is a life skill that lasts a lifetime.
• Take a Lifesaving Society Bronze course to learn important self-rescue and first aid skills.
• Learn how to rescue others from water emergencies in the Lifesaving Society’s Bronze Medallion course.
• Take a Bronze medal, Lifesaving First Aid, or CPR course today.
• Talk about the implications of trying to rescue others when not trained in water rescue.
• Learn about marine navigation, take a Pleasure Craft Operators course.
• Learn about your boat and your paddle when you buy one.
• Know your swimming ability and respect your limits.
• Stay informed about water safety.