BC Coroners Service urging the public to play safe this holiday weekend
By Nelson Daily Staff
With the B.C. Day weekend right around the corner the BC Coroners Service is urging the public to be extra careful around lakes, rivers and streams as the provincial body investigates eight recent deaths.
These deaths involved individuals from ages 12 to 75 and occurred in a variety of circumstances.
The BC Coroners Service hiigh runoff from the winter’s snowpack and heavy rains during the spring and early summer have left many rivers, streams, and lakes with much higher water levels than is usual at this time of year.
As well, many rivers and streams, especially in the southern Interior, are running much faster, and at higher levels, than would normally be expected by the B.C. Day weekend.
“The risk in many activities such as rafting, tubing and canoeing is likely to be much higher than might otherwise be expected,” chief coroner Lisa Lapointe said.
Chris Duffy, executive director for Emergency Management BC, said he has never seen such high water levels and flow rates at this time of year.
Some waters tips include:
- Always wear a properly fitting Personal Floatation Device (PFD) when engaged in boating or tubing activities. If you are suddenly thrown into cold and/or rough water, it may often be impossible to find a PFD and put it on, even if you had one in the boat with you. Children, non-swimmers and weak swimmers should also wear a PFD when wading or playing in the water at a river or lakeside.
- Always supervise children anywhere near water. Pre-school aged children can drown in only a few centimetres of water, and the drowning is often silent. Proper supervision for children of this age involves having them within arm’s length of a responsible adult.
- Alcohol and water-related activities do not mix, any more than alcohol and driving do. Alcohol impairs your co-ordination and judgment, and this substantially adds to the risk inherent in swimming or boating.
- Be aware of the area where you are planning your activities. Check the weather forecast before heading out, and also do a visual inspection of the area. Do not head blindly down a river or stream without being aware of the water conditions further downstream.
- If you are hosting visitors from another province or country, ensure that they are informed about the conditions that prevail in the lake or river you are visiting. Warn them about steep drop-offs, rapids, and any other hazards.
- Never dive into unknown waters. Unexpectedly shallow water or hidden obstacles underwater can easily prove fatal.
- For further information about water safety tips, visit websites of such organizations as the Canadian Red Cross and the Lifesaving Society.
