Staying safe in and around the water goal of National Water Safety Week     250News file photo

Prince George, BC – Your life jacket, that is…

Before heading out on the water.  Today marks the start of Water Safety Week – an annual campaign by the Canadian Red Cross to educate Canadians on how to stay safe around water and prevent drowning incidents.

According to the Canadian Drowning Report 2013 edition, the vast majority of drowning victims continue to be men.  Each year, 8 out of 10 drowning victims are male.  The risk-taking age group between 18 to 24-years-old continue to have the highest water-related death rate of any age group in Canada, at 2.2 per 100,000 population.

The report also notes the biggest increase in drownings is among Baby Boomers, between the ages of 50 to 64-years-old.  And attributes the leading risk factor contributing to accidental drownings for both high risk groups to a reluctance to wear a life jacket.

In support of National Water Safety Week (June 7-14), RCMP Detachments across BC will be working to raise awareness and provide advice on how to stay safe while playing in or near the water.

Tips include:

• Don't push your limits when playing in water – RCMP say many drowning instances over the years in our province have been the result of fatigue and being too far from shore
• Wear a personal floatation device – RCMP say it's a good idea for kids and adults alike.  It's the best defence for surviving cold-water shock and hypothermia
• Don't put your feet in fast-moving water that's deeper than the length of your arm.  Police warn if your foot were to become trapped in a rocky bottom, the currently will eventually push the swimmer over face first in the water
• Remember alcohol and water don't mix
• If you can't swim, stay out of the water

For water safety tips specifically aimed at reducing the risk of drowning for children, click here.