Drowning Prevention Week

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Drowning Prevention Week
July 16 23, 2006
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Drowning Prevention Week

• Come join in the fun and activities all week
• Challenge yourself, take the Swim to Survive
  challenge
• Roll into deep water
• Tread water for 1 minute
• Swim 50 meters

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4 steps to a water safe summer

• Always swim with a buddy!
• Be water smart. Learn to swim! Learn to
  survive!
• Choose it! Use it! Wear a lifejacket/PFD!
• Stay within arms reach! If you are not within
  arms reach of your child youve gone too far!

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• Every year, the Lifesaving Society compiles
  statistics on water-related deaths in Canada. We
  also hear many rescue stories through our Rescue
  Awards program. So we know that drownings and
  near-drownings happens to people of all ages and
  backgrounds, and to both genders. Canadians drown
  while involved in a wide range of activities, and
  in a variety of aquatic settings that range from
  rivers to backyard pools. And many times, the
  victims don't even intend to be in the water
  they are simply playing near the water, boating
  or snowmobiling.

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• Research has shown that people, especially
  children, can drown in seconds and in just a few
  centimeters of water.
• The leading factors in water-related deaths are
  alcohol consumption and not wearing a PFD.

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2005 Drowning Statistics

• There were14 drownings/water related fatalities
  in 2005
• 2 females and 12 males drown in 2005
• 11 out of 14 drownings were in open water (lake,
  river, dug out, etc)
• From these none were wearing a lifejacket/PFD
• 9 out of 14 drownings occurred during the
  weekdays
• There were NO drownings at a public or private
  pool in 2005

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Who drowns?

• Most drownings involve people in these three age
  categories
• Unattended toddlers 0-5 years of age
• Risk takers 18-34 years of age
• Oldernot wiser 60 years of age
• Far more drowning victims are male than female.
  Perhaps this is because more men than women
  participate in water sports or are near water in
  their work or recreation. Men may also take more
  and greater risks, or tend more often to overrate
  their swimming abilities.

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Where/when are they drowning?

• Drownings happen year round and at all hours of
  the day and night.
• Drownings peak in the warmer seasons as people
  flock to the water for recreation and relief from
  the heat.
• Prime time for drownings is mid to late
  afternoon.
• The most drownings happen in open water lakes,
  ponds, rivers. However, drownings occur in all
  water including swimming pools and bathtubs.

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The Lifesaving Society is a national volunteer
based charitable organization which works to
prevent drownings and water related incidents
through its training programs, public education,
research, and consultation.
Lifesaving Society 2224 Smith Street Regina, SK
S4P 2P4 Phone [phone] Email
lifesaving_at_sasktel.net www.lifesavingsociety.sk.ca

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