National Drowning Prevention Week Helps Save Lives
Knowing the major risk factors for drowning while boating can help you avoid drowning while out for a day on the water.
In Canada, National Drowning Prevention Week helps spread the word about drowning and how to prevent it. Promoted by the Lifesaving Society, this week provides an opportunity to become better aware of the risk factors for drowning and work to avoid these risks.
So, to have a safe boating season (every season), keep reading to learn more about drowning prevention and share this information with friends and family before hitting the water!
Summer Can Be Dangerous for Boaters
Summer is the time of year when most water fatalities occur, so there's no better time to think about when, where, and how accidents occur.
In 2020 and 2021, about 265 Canadians drown. Approximately 31% of those happened while boating. While that annual number has decreased in recent years thanks to various factors, including boating safety education, there is still a lot of work to do.
Powerboating and swimming are two activities associated with drowning. However, the vast majority of these fatalities can be easily prevented with the right knowledge.
Risk Factors for Drowning Deaths
The Lifesaving Society identified the following major risk factors for drowning deaths involving boating in 2020.
- Not wearing a life jacket: 79% of victims were not wearing a life jacket.
- Alcohol: In 35% of cases, alcohol was involved.
- Boating alone: In 31% of cases, the victim was boating alone.
Falling overboard and cold water are also contributors to drowning deaths. While the statistics above cover all drowning deaths while boating, the numbers are especially concerning when considering child drowning deaths. In those cases, 92% of children under the age of five drowned due to a lack of adult supervision.
How to Prevent Drowning While Boating
What measures can be taken to prevent a fatal accident while boating?
Here are the Lifesaving Society's Top 5 prevention tips for boating and fishing:
- Always wear a lifejacket
- Never drink and boat
- Get the Card (Pleasure Craft Operator Card or proof of competency)
- Check the forecast and make a checklist
- Wear the right gear
With 79% of drowning victims not wearing a lifejacket and 35% of deaths due to accidents involving alcohol, tips #1 and #2 are obvious – but why is getting the Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) #3?
According to the Lifesaving Society, an approved safety course will "help you to know the boating rules of the road, how to respond in a boating emergency, and how to operate pleasure craft safely."
Getting safety certified and acquiring your PCOC means being prepared and reducing the potential for someone to drown while boating and fishing with you this season.
Drowning Prevention is More Effective with BOATERexam
With over two million boaters certified, BOATERexam.com is Canada's leading Pleasure Craft Operator Card issuer. Our online courses teach boaters and those who enjoy watersports how to spend time doing what they love on the water safely.
Through our courses, you'll learn which type of lifejacket you need, how to navigate the waters safely among other boaters, the safety equipment you need onboard, and how to call for help if something goes wrong. You'll also learn how to help someone who falls overboard to reduce the potential of drowning.
We want everyone to stay safe on the water this season! So, if you don't have your PCOC card, start by taking the Canada-approved boater safety course through BOATERexam.
If you're in the U.S., we want to help you boat safely, too! Our courses are state-approved and online, as well. Find the course for your state and start learning.
Originally published July 21, 2011. Content updated July 13, 2023.