From pools to the beach, water safety should be top of mind this week as the Lifesaving Society B.C. branch embraces this year’s National Drowning Prevention Week theme: “Safer Together.”
National Drowning Prevention Week runs from July 20–26, 2025.
Held annually during the third week of July – the busiest time of year for water recreation – the campaign promotes water safety and builds community engagement.
“This week focuses on some key messages to keep Canadians safe because we recognize that not everybody necessarily knows the dangers of drowning,” said Kimiko Hirakida, Programs Director with the Lifesaving Society.
Drowning remains the third leading cause of unintentional death in Canada, claiming the lives of more than 450 Canadians each year.
It is also the second leading cause of death in children, and the third leading cause for adults.
Hirakida noted that nearly 80 per cent of drowning victims are male.
Historically, males aged 18 to 26 were considered the highest-risk demographic, but Hirakida said this has expanded to include males up to age 50.
“Seventy-eight per cent of drownings are male, and that is likely because they’re not necessarily making wise choices, or they think their abilities are stronger than they are. We are seeing a lot of fatal drownings in males aged 50 to 59 who are out fishing, on their boats or near rivers,” she explained.
Safer Together
This year’s National Drowning Prevention Week theme – “Safer Together” – is a reminder that water safety is a shared responsibility.
“Safer Together means you should always swim with a buddy, and that we’re all accountable to each other to keep everyone safe in, on and around the water,” said Hirakida.
“If you see something, you need to say something. If you see somebody approaching dangerous water, or people about to take out a boat without wearing life-jackets, say something.”
She also emphasized the importance of undistracted, constant supervision of children or weak swimmers near any body of water.
“This means you’re not taking pictures, you’re not preparing a snack, you’re not getting a juice box ready – your only job should be to have your eyes on the water. While it may be tedious to constantly scan the water, drowning can happen in seconds, in very little water.”
Knowing the type of waterbody you’re in is also crucial, she added, noting that swimming in a pool is not the same as swimming in open water.
“While you might be able to swim in a pool with lane lines at the bottom and ropes to grab onto, it’s not the same as swimming in open water. There’s always that confusion ‘I’m a really great pool swimmer’ – but that doesn’t always translate to open water.”
Life-jackets save lives
Hirakida also reiterated the importance, and legal requirement, of wearing a life-jacket on any watercraft, including kayaks, canoes and paddle boards.
Some companies have started offering more convenient safety solutions, such as inflatable waist packs with ripcords or low-profile vests with CO2 cartridges.
“You would never get in your car and start driving without clicking on your seatbelt. So why would you get on a watercraft without putting on your life-jacket?”
Event at Christina Lake
From July 20 to 22, the Lifesaving Society will host its WaterWise booth at Christina Lake.
The Society’s WaterWise team will be on-site offering opportunities to learn about water safety, equipment, and general education.
“They’ll also provide information on different types of open water safety – what you need to consider, what clothing is best, and what equipment you could use on boats. The goal is to help people recreating around the lake make more informed decisions around the water,” said Hirakida.
Nearly 70 per cent of drowning victims never intended to enter the water, and most were within 15 metres of safety.
Hirakida stressed that while these deaths are tragic, they are almost always preventable.
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