Burnaby, BC – The BC Coroners Service is recommending renewed efforts on water safety education in light of a review into youth drowning deaths in the province, particularly for teenaged males aged 15 to 18.

The Review Panel reviewed the cases of 35 children and youth who drowned in BC between 2007 and 2013.  Of the deaths reviewed, almost seven in 10 involved youths aged 15 to 18, and three-quarters of those who died were male.  The panel found that males in that age group are particularly prone to under-estimate the risk involved in activities, over-estimate their own swimming abilities, and use substances such as alcohol, which may affect their judgement and/or ability to self-rescue.

As a result of the review, the panel is recommending the BC/Yukon branch of the Lifesaving Society bring key stakeholders together to develop messaging specifically targeting teenaged boys – young men in the 15 to 18 age group will be asked to participate to determine how best to reach the demographic.

A second recommendation was directed to the Canadian Red Cross to focus on ongoing education for parents, stressing the need for close and ongoing supervision of young children when in or around water.  The final recommendation backs the Lifesaving Society's efforts to work through the Union of BC Municipalities to encourage BC communities to pass bylaws requiring four-sided fencing around backyard swimming pools.