Basic swimming ability is a fundamental requirement in any meaningful attempt to eliminate drowning in Canada.
Canada is a country full of lakes and rivers (and a culture of swimming, boating and aquatic activity both at the pool and in nature). Knowing how to swim is a life skill and an essential part of staying safe and having fun.
The Society's Swim to Survive program teaches the minimum standard of swimming skills required to survive an unexpected fall into deep water:
- roll into deep water
- tread water for one minute
- swim 50 metres
Swim to Survive is a first step to being safe around water and it's for everyone - including young children and adults who didn't learn to swim in their younger years. The Lifesaving Society's Swim Program and Lifesaving programs offer a wide range of aquatic training well beyond Swim to Survive, from learn-to-swim through advanced lifesaving, lifeguarding and leadership. Contact your local municipal pool, Y, summer camp, school, college or university or check Find a Course.
