National Drowning Prevention Week begins with two more fatalities
By Nelson Daily Staff
Lifesaving Society of BC and Yukon National Drowning Prevention Week (NDPW) got off to a rather shaky start as two people died in separate incidents during the weekend.
In Victoria a 21-year-old international student drowned while swimming in Thetis Lake while a 19-year-old died after falling off his raft on the Similkameen River and getting caught in the current.
Both accidents happened Saturday.
The two fatalities bring the total for 2013 already to 43 drownings.
In 2012 there were only 25 deaths.
Lifesaving Society wants to reinforce the importance of being familiar with any new water area before swimming.
Lifejackets are also essential on any motorized or non-motorized equipment, especially for young children.
Lifesaving Society designates the third week in July as National NDPW to focus community and media attention on the drowning problem and drowning prevention.
Drowning Statistics for BC and Canada:
- 8 of 10 drowning victims are male
- 14% decrease in drownings in BC as compared to previous 5 year period (2000 – 2004); in contrast to 20% increase in Ontario and 25% increase in Alberta for same periods
- boating-related drownings in Canada down 12%
- risk factors in boating-related drownings continue to be:
- not wearing a lifejacket/PFD (79%)
- cold water (44%)
- alcohol consumption (39%)
- capsizing (39%)
- falling overboard (25%)
- 71% of boating victims were with a companion who was unable to rescue them
For more information go to
Lifesaving Society of BC and YukonNational Drowning Prevention Week (NDPW) got off to a rather shaky start as two people died in separate incidents during the weekend.
In Victoria a 21-year-old international student drowned while swimming in Thetis Lake while a 19-year-old died after falling off his raft on the Similkameen River and getting caught in the current.
Both accidents happened Saturday.
The two fatalities bring the total for 2013 already to 43 drownings.
In 2012 there were only 25 deaths.
Lifesaving Society wants to reinforce the importance of being familiar with any new water area before swimming.
Lifejackets are also essential on any motorized or non-motorized equipment, especially for young children.
Lifesaving Society designates the third week in July as National NDPW to focus community and media attention on the drowning problem and drowning prevention.
Drowning Statistics for BC and Canada:
- 8 of 10 drowning victims are male
- 14% decrease in drownings in BC as compared to previous 5 year period (2000 – 2004); in contrast to 20% increase in Ontario and 25% increase in Alberta for same periods
- boating-related drownings in Canada down 12%
- risk factors in boating-related drownings continue to be:
- not wearing a lifejacket/PFD (79%)
- cold water (44%)
- alcohol consumption (39%)
- capsizing (39%)
- falling overboard (25%)
- 71% of boating victims were with a companion who was unable to rescue them
For more information go to http://www.lifesaving.bc.ca/
