Over 400 people fatally drown annually in Canada, making it the second leading cause of unintentional death for children and the third leading cause of unintentional death for adults.
In particular, Indigenous, northern and new Canadians have a disproportionately high mortality burden. In fact, the drowning burden is so great around the world that the United Nations General Assembly passed the UN Resolution on Drowning Prevention and named July 25th of each year as World Drowning Prevention Day.
During the week of July 17th – 23rd, 2022, the Lifesaving Society of Canada will be educating and promoting safety awareness in, on and around the water.
Statistics show that almost 70% of drowning fatalities never intended to go into the water and were often within 15 metres of safety. Nearly every Canadian has known someone who has drowned or had a non-fatal drowning experience, whether personally or from his or her community.
To help reduce drowning, all Canadians are encouraged to:
– Take the Lifesaving Society Swim to Survive Standard (teaches how to survive an unexpected fall into the water) and participate in a learn-to-swim program.
– Wear a properly fitted lifejacket when out on a boat.
– Refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages while participating in aquatic activities.
– Ensure that children are under the direct supervision of an adult when around barrier-free bodies of water.
The majority of drownings are preventable in a Water Smart community. Join Lifesaving Society Manitoba to participate in various events and activities to help make you a Water Smart community.
Members of the Manitoba Coalition for Safer Waters stressed the importance of Drowning Prevention today at a media conference to mark National Drowning Prevention Week. The group gathered on the bank of the Assiniboine River behind the Manitoba Legislature.
(Image – Proclamation event – Photo submitted)
On hand to accept the Proclamation from the Provincial Government were Lifesaving Society Board Chair – Ashley Walus, Lifesaving Society Executive Director Stacey Grocholski, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Chief Christian Schmidt, Inspector Doug Roxburgh of the Winnipeg Police Service’s Traffic Division, River Patrol Unit Officer Rory Mitchell and Patrol Sergeant Ryan Fuerst, the Manager of the Mid-Canada Marine and Powersports Dealers Association Geoff Powell, Madyson Craig from Transport Canada, Swim Natation Manitoba Executive Director Lainie Wintrup and Garrett Wong an avid fisherman for many years who says if he wasn’t wearing his lifejacket a few months ago when he fell out of his boat, he would most likely not be alive today.
