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.
:::
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.
On Guard card
The Lifesaving Society's On Guard Card reminds parents that
someone must be watching children near water with focused attention
at all times. The On Guard Card designates the pool safety
supervisor - if you wear the card, you're on
guard.
Those who wear the card are responsible for committing 100% of
their attention to their role as supervisor and for finding another
adult to relieve them if they need to turn their attention away for
any reason.
The plastic card is worn on a lanyard around the neck and
provides very specific tips to help parents and caregivers
understand their role and supervise as effectively as possible.
The card includes the pledge: "People on guard pledge to
maintain constant and vigilant supervision until relieved of
duty."
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.