MEDICINE HAT, AB —It’s the beginning of National Drowning Prevention Week, which features the theme “Drowning is Preventable.”
Approximately 500 Canadians die in preventable water-related incidents annually.
Over the last few weeks in Alberta there have been several incidents on the water.
A 14-year-old boy in Lethbridge, and a two year old boy in Grand Prairie, both drowned in two separate river accidents this month.
The YMCA has a program that allows anyone to rent a life jacket for 24 hours free of charge.
Aubrianne Pudwell, aquatic director at the YMCA, says it’s one way you can be safe.
“Always wearing your life jacket, and PFD because you never know when anything is going to happen, so that’s really important,” said Pudwell. “Always make sure it’s on, it’s done up, and it fits properly.”
Pudwell says you shouldn’t be able to pull the jacket above a persons’ ears as it could cause problems in the water.
It’s also important to make sure the jacket isn’t expired, and does not have any rips, tears, or broken buckles.
She says life jackets are number one when it comes to safety but you should always be prepared when you’re planning a day on the water.
“Making sure that they’re always with with someone, they’re never alone, they have a cell phone is really important, and making sure that they take swimming lessons and they learn how to swim is really important as well,” said Pudwell. “There’s a lot of people that don’t know how to do swimming and that can cause some issues as well.”
Echo Dale Park is one area in the city that is a popular spot for families to visit.
There are lifeguards on duty, but Randy Taves, manager of parks with the City of Medicine Hat, says it has other guidelines in place to help keep children safe.
“There is some policies in terms of when you are a young child that you have to be within an arms length of a responsible adult, and I think that’s just to ensure safety,” said Taves. “We always say when there’s water there’s risk.”
Accidents can happen quickly, and Taves wants residents to enjoy want the city has to offer, but in a safe manner.
“Our big concern is the South Saskatchewan River,” Taves. “We’re trying to promote it as a great opportunity for people to reconnect with nature, and boat, and stuff, but we want them to do it in a responsible manner.”
Taves says to do some research, and learn the area before jumping in.
Pudwell added these accidents are preventable, you just have to make sure you have- and are wearing- your life jacket.
