Prince George, B.C. – Heading into the long weekend, the BC Coroners Service is calling on everyone to be careful in, and around water. 

According to a new review by the Coroners Service, boating is significantly the highest-risk activity for drowning among recreational water users. A total of 37.5 per cent of persons who drowned in recreational cases in the five-and-a-half years from Jan. 1, 2008 to July 29, 2013, were engaged in some type of boating activity at the time.

 

The single most effective step to take while boating in any small craft is to wear a properly-fitted personal floatation device (PFD) at all times when on the water.

 

The review lists swimming as the second-most risky activity in recreational water use, with 28 per cent of the deaths occurring amongst swimmers.

 

From January 1 of this year to the end of July, there have been 45 accidental drownings in B.C. That is the average of the past five years and a slight decrease from 2012 figures. Historically, August is the month with the highest number of drowning cases, and that is the reason behind the renewed call for safety.