Drowning is the second leading cause of preventable death for children under 10, and children under five are particularly at risk. In the most recent Canadian stats, 63% of victims under the age of five drowned while alone near water and 92% drowned while supervision was absent or distracted.
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Backyard pool safety tips:
Establish pool rules and remember important safety matters:
- Swim with a buddy.
- Ensure children are supervised by an adult at all times.
- No diving in shallow water. Swimmers should always enter the water feet-first.
- Remember: alcohol or drugs and swimming don't mix.
- Water toys and water wings are not a substitute for supervision and are not PFDs.
- All above-ground portable or kiddie pools should be emptied or access restricted (e.g., remove ladder) when not in use.
Learn to Swim
Basic swimming ability is a fundamental requirement in any meaningful attempt to eliminate drowning in Canada. The Lifesaving Society offers training programs from learn-to-swim through advanced lifesaving, lifeguarding and leadership.
Our Swim for Life program stresses lots of in-water practice to develop solid swimming strokes and skills. We incorporate valuable Water Smart® education that will last a lifetime.
Swim to Survive is a Lifesaving Society survival training program. Swim to Survive is not a subsititute for swimming lessons; instead, it defines the minimum skills needed to survive an unexpected fall into deep water. People of all ages should be able to perform the Society's Swim to Survive standard.