National Drowning Prevention Week promotes water safety

This is the National Drowning Prevention Week — a timely reminder of the importance of staying safe around the water. The message carries even more weight in southern Alberta, where an 11-year-old boy drowned at Echo Dale Regional Park in Medicine Hat during a school field trip last month,  and just two weeks ago here in Lethbridge, six boaters narrowly escaped tragedy after becoming stranded near the Oldman River weir.

This Tuesday, Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services’ Water Rescue Team demonstrated on-water rescue techniques while highlighting the hazards of the Oldman River and sharing practical safety tips to help residents stay safe while boating, paddling, floating or swimming.

According to the latest Canadian Drowning Report, there was an average of 485 drowning deaths per year in Canada between 2017 and 2021.