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Drowning is preventable. Empower yourself and your community – Be WaterSmart®!
The Lifesaving Society’s ongoing public education campaign aims to make all Canadians “WaterSmart®.” The WaterSmart® Campaign encourages Canadians to exercise safe and responsible behaviour in and around water to prevent water-related injuries. We deliver WaterSmart® public information through media, community action, special events, Swim to Survive® courses, safety courses, training, WaterWise outreach, and our signature awareness week, National Drowning Prevention Week.
Drowning Research
The Lifesaving Society of BC & Yukon presents researching findings in an annual drowning report on provincial, water-related deaths. Gathering data and statistics for water-related deaths enables us to assess commonalities among reported drownings, update the public on recent drownings, and provide educational courses with preventative methods.
The Lifesaving Society’s collection of drowning data includes all deaths in BC and Yukon which are determined by the provincial Chief Coroners and Medical Examiners to have resulted from incidents “in, on or near water”. Incidents are included in the drowning report if they are deemed to be associated to water-based recreational, vocational or daily living activity, or if the presence of water appeared to be an attraction contributing to the incident. Drowning statistics include only preventable (unintentional) deaths, and do not account for deaths due to natural causes, suicide, or homicide.
12 days
British Columbia & Yukon have been drowning free for
22
Total Number of Drownings in British Columbia & Yukon this year
77%
Of drownings are male
23%
Of drownings are female
63%
Of drownings occurred from May to September
86%
Of children who drowned were unsupervised or had distracted supervisors
In Canada’s water-rich environment, drowning often occurs unexpectedly, even for those who don’t plan to enter the water. The Lifesaving Society emphasizes that basic swimming ability is essential for survival. Learning these skills can significantly reduce the risk of drowning and is crucial for eliminating water-related fatalities in Canada. When near water, wearing a lifejacket provides vital support, though it doesn’t replace attentive supervision and safe behaviour around water. Consider visiting locations with life jacket stations and Public Access Liferings if you don’t own one.
For safer water play, choose beaches and pools with certified lifeguards, who provide an added layer of protection but don’t replace direct parental supervision. Introducing children to swimming early can foster a lifetime of enjoyment and prevent water-related injuries. Toddlers can begin learning in instructional settings with their parents through programs like Family Swim to Survive®, tailored to all ages and abilities.
Swim To Survive®
The Canadian Swim to Survive® Standard is a minimum national standard of swimming skill for all children. The standard is simple, straightforward, and focused. It defines the essential minimum skills required to survive an unexpected fall into deep water.
- Roll into Deep Water: To simulate a fall into the water – orientate oneself at the surface after an unexpected entry
- Tread Water for 1 Minute: Support oneself at the surface to locate nearest point of safety
- Swim 50 Metres: Swim to closest point of safety
Waterwise Team
The WaterWise Team provides free boat and water safety education through school presentations, community events, marina visits, seminars, and media coverage.
Be WaterWise: PREPARE IT, WEAR IT, KNOW IT, SHARE IT!
Lifeliner newsletter
Sign up for our Lifeliner newsletter and keep up to date with exciting events at the Lifesaving Society British Columbia & Yukon branch.