Alberta Blue Cross and the Lifesaving Society Alberta and Northwest Territories share drowning prevention tips for National Drowning Prevention Week from July 21 to July 27.
About 450 Canadians lose their lives to drowning each year according to the 2020 National Drowning Report.
National Drowning Prevention week takes place on the third full week of July each year during peak drowning season in Canada, and each day has a different focus or theme to share with your friends, family, and others to spread awareness according to a release.
On July 21, fatal drowning will be the focused topic. The World Health Organization ranked drowning as the worldwide third highest cause of unintentional death, and they describe that drowning is often a silent and swift cause of death.
On July 22, non-fatal drowning is the focused topic. In a 20-year drowning analysis by the Lifesaving Society Alberta and Northwest Territories and the Injury Prevention Centre, researchers discovered that for every fatal drowning, there are six non-fatal drownings. The release defines non-fatal drownings as survived cases of drowning where the victim requires medical treatment for injury.
On July 23, backyard pool and open water safety is the focused topic. The 2020 National Drowning Report states 70 per cent of fatal drownings happen in open water such as ponds, lakes, pools, rivers, streams, or ditches.
The release explains it is important to control access to private water or backyard pools through multiple layers of protection such as self closing gates, fences, or active supervision in absence of lifeguards.
On July 24, the Swim to Survive Lifesaving Society program shares three tips for developing skills to survive a fall into deep water.
The first skill is “roll into deep water” which teaches individuals how to recover and orient themselves after a sudden fall into deep water.
The second skill is treading water for one minute to develop strength to support yourself above water as you wait to catch your breath.
The third skill builds endurance through swimming 50 metres to ensure an individual can swim to safety.
On July 25, supervising children is the focused topic. The 2024 Alberta Drowning Report says that from 2015 to 2019, 100 per cent of fatal incidents involving children under five years old happened because of lacking supervision.
“The Lifesaving Society encourages parents and caregivers to practice active supervision when in, on and around the water. Active supervision requires parents to be within sight, earshot and arm’s reach of a child at all times,” said the report.
On July 26, boating safety and personal flotation devices are the topic. The release recommends brightly coloured lifejackets that are Transport Canada approved and the proper size for you by chest range and weight range on the label. “By the time you need a lifejacket, it is often too late to put one on,” said the release.
For the final day, July 27 will focus on alcohol and substance use. Alcohol use and cannabis can majorly impair judgment, balance, and reflexes compounded by sun exposure, waves, dehydration, and wind. Stay sober in, on, and around the water to prevent risks for fatalities.
For more information about National Drowning Prevention Week, please visit https://www.lifesaving.org/.
