National Drowning Prevention Week is July 20-26

Lisa Squires, Alberta Health Services - South Zone

July 20-26 is National Drowning Prevention Week, and Alberta Health Services Health Promotion facilitators and its partners - Community Against Preventable Injuries and Parachute - are asking Albertans to have a word with themselves before getting into the water.

Starting this week-end and throughout the summer, South Zone health promotion teams will be visiting local beaches with drowning prevention education kits, including towels emblazoned with the words “Before you think only other swimmers drown, have a word with yourself.”  The purpose is to remind everyone that we’re all at risk for drowning and to educate people on how to stay safe and prevent injury.

If you would like to arrange an interview with a health promotion facilitator during the week or want to visit one of the drowning prevention displays at a local beach this week-end, let me know and I can help arrange.

Drowning statistics according to the Lifesaving Society, Alberta Drowning Trends 2014:

• From 2011-2013, the majority of those who drowned were adults 18-34 years of age; 88% within this group were male.
• Recreational activities accounted for over 64% of drowning.
• 74% of water-related deaths occurred in rivers and lakes.
• Summer months (May to August) account for 68% of all drownings, while 11% occur between November and April.