Most of the deaths by drowning in B.C. occur in the summer, and to honour these losses, and prevent more, the Lifesaving Society asked various cities to dedicate a week to water safety.
Dawson Creek city council and the Northern Rockies regional municipal council agreed during their respective meetings to declare July 20 to 26 as national drowning prevention week.
The Lifesaving Society said this week was chosen because it aligns with the United Nation’s world drowning prevention day on July 25 and, when Canadians finally get beachy weather.
“We’ve always looked at the third week of July because typically that is when we see the most Canadians around the water, so we want to make sure that we’re promoting and acting in (line) with our motto of drowning prevention,” said Kimiko Hirakida, the director of programs at the Lifesaving Society for B.C. and Yukon.
The province reported 98 accidental drowning deaths in 2024, 52 of which occurred from June to September.
22 per cent of people who die by drowning did not intend on entering the water, according to the province.
Prof. Ian Pike, a retired professor of pediatrics at the University of British Columbia and investigator emeritus with the B.C. Injury Research and Prevention Unit, said this group typically is made up of boaters.
“Most people who end up in trouble when they’re boating never intended to go in the water – and for whatever reason, they end up there without a lifejacket on and then that becomes a problem,” said Pike.
He continued to explain how fishers are especially at risk of falling victim – Pike suggested they stay seated, take a buddy, wear a lifejacket, and “don’t take the habitual six pack.”
Provincially, live water, like rivers and creeks, saw the most deaths – Hirakida said some of the danger of live water is swimmers’ unpreparedness.
“Just because your swimming ability is really strong in the (pool) water doesn’t always mean that it’s going to translate directly to open water,” Hirakida said.
“You have to consider things like current, cold water and changes in weather, (and) different bottom depths.”
She also recommended open water swimmers wear bright colours, and both experts agreed on informing loved ones of the day’s itinerary, especially if not abiding by the buddy system.
Pike suggested swimmers go parallel to the shore, so they can comfortably return, if need be, and said they should stay in the designated swimming area.
“Stay within the designated swimming areas, swim within the buoys. Venturing off to remote locations where you don’t know where the bottom is, you don’t know what the movement of the water is, can create problems,” said Pike.
Parents, Hirakida and Pike said, must be especially vigilant in areas with water. He said swimmers of all ages, but especially children, should only go chest deep.
“Uninterrupted supervision around open water is absolutely paramount. That means not taking pictures through a cell phone, not preparing a snack, not getting a juice box. So, when possible, always try to have a second adult with you with a group of children,” said Hirakida, explaining how she keeps her niece and nephew safe when they go swimming together.
Both experts agreed the risk of drowning does not outweigh the benefits of being by the water.
“Look, when you enter the water, there are risks involved – however, you can take steps to mitigate those risks,” said Pike. “We have fabulous beaches, fabulous riverways, fabulous lakes. Get out and enjoy them.”
