By rdnewsNOW staff

National Drowning Prevention Week July 15 – 21

Jul 16, 2018 | 9:48 AM

National Drowning Prevention Week takes place across Canada from July 15-21 this year.

During this week, the Lifesaving Society aims to increase awareness of the need for drowning prevention and remind people to make Water Smart® choices while in, on and around the water. National Drowning Prevention Week (NDPW) is a signature activation of the Lifesaving Society’s Water Smart® Campaign.

“Water-related fatalities are preventable,” says Kelly Carter, Executive Director, Lifesaving Society Alberta and Northwest Territories Branch, in a press release. “ Canadians drown while involved in a wide range of activities and in a variety of aquatic settings that range from lakes, backyard pools to bathtubs. Many times, people don’t even intend to be in the water, they are simply playing near the water or are boating.”

He adds the major risk factors in water-related deaths include alcohol consumption, not wearing a lifejacket, poor swimming ability, and boating or swimming alone, pointing out that children always need to be actively supervised when playing in, on or near water.  

“At the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner one of our primary roles is to determine cause of death,” states Dr. Elizabeth Brooks-Lim, Chief Medical Examiner, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. “In the course of our work involving drowning incidents, we are all too often reminded that drowning is preventable by taking a few, relatively simple precautions. Learn to swim, wear a personal flotation device, avoid alcohol and drugs and learn basic CPR and rescue skills to keep you, your friends and family safe this summer.”  

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Officials say Water Smart community activations will be occurring across Alberta and the Northwest Territories, including a special NDPW flag raising ceremony at the community flag pole at Edmonton City Hall on Monday, July 16.

The Lifesaving Society will be sharing Water Smart messages through social media throughout National Drowning Prevention Week.

The Water Smart messages below were selected because of the major risk factors presented in the Canadian Drowning Report – 2018 Edition.

• Approximately 500 Canadians die in preventable water-related incidents annually. Even one drowning is one too many.
• Watch me, not your cell phone. Always actively supervise children around the water – if you’re not within arms’ reach, you’ve gone too far.
• Be Boat Smart and Boat Sober. Alcohol consumption is a factor in almost 40% of boating-related fatalities.
• In most drownings, the victim never intended to go in the water and was often close to safety – could you survive a sudden and unexpected fall into the water? Learn to Swim to Survive®.
• Be Water Smart® Make smart choices before going into or out on the water.
• Older but not always wiser – Choose It. Use It. Always wear a Lifejacket while in a boat.
• You can save a life, yours and someone else’s. Take a learn-to-swim, lifesaving or first aid class today.