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It’s National Drowning Prevention Week

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Over 400 people drown each year in Canada, but these deaths are avoidable.

New Brunswick Lifesaving Society CEO Ryan Ferguson says it is National Drowning Prevention Week, “Seventy per cent of drownings are people who never intended to be in the water. They were close to safety and they fell accidentally and they were only 50 metres away from where they would be safe.”

Young children and older men who are alone top the list when it comes to drownings, “They go out for a fishing trip by themselves and fall out of the boat, or they go for a swim by themselves and get into trouble and there is no one there to help them.”

He adds when you are fighting for your life in the water, someone onshore or at the side of the pool, may not even notice. “When you are doing your best to fight for every breath, you certainly don’t have time to cry out for help. Some of them will be no splashing whatsoever. There will just be a ripple on the surface, and that was that.”

Ferguson points out that drownings in Canada continue to trend downwards, which is good news.

He also points out that one place drownings rarely occur is in front of Lifeguards, “If you can swim in front of a lifeguard that is the best place to do it. Less than one per cent of all drownings happen in front of a lifeguard.”

He recommends taking the Lifesaving Society Swim to Survive standard, “It’s not like traditional swimming lessons. The objective is to teach you how to survive an unexpected fall into the water. You have to tumble in, tread water for a minute and then move 50 meters. The idea is if you can orient yourself from an unexpected fall, figure out which way you need to move, and be able to move 50 meters, you may be able to help yourself. Wear a lifejacket when you’re on a boat. This is not shocking news, but when something bad happens in a boat, it flips or you get knocked overboard and you can’t swim, you’re not going to be able to find that life jacket, you need to be wearing it. Also, you should refrain from drinking alcohol, particularly on boats, but in any kind of general aquatic situation.”

Here are some tips from the Lifesaving Society of Canada:

  • Supervise Children. Always directly supervise children around the water – if you are not within arms’ reach, you’ve gone too far.
  • Boating Safety. Choose it. Use it. Always wear a lifejacket when in a boat.
  • Learn to Swim. In most drownings, the victim never intended to go in the water and was often close to safety – could you survive a sudden and unexpected fall into the water?
  • Stay Sober In, On, and Around the Water. Alcohol consumption is a factor in many water-related fatalities. Both alcohol and cannabis use impair balance, judgment, and reflexes. Stay sober when in, on, or around the water.
  • Open Water Safety. Make smart choices before going in, on or around the water.
  • Just Keep Learning. You can save a life, yours, and someone else’s. Take a learn-to swim, lifesaving, or first aid class today

 

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Suspected Blue-Green Algae At Kenora Area Lake

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The Northwestern Health Unit has issued another warning of possible Blue-green Algae in a northwestern Ontario lake.

The latest report comes from Granite Lake near Kenora.

The Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks is now testing the bloom to see if it’s Blue-green Algae.

The public is asked to treat it as though it is Blue-green Algae which produces toxins and can pose a health risk to people and animals when they are exposed to them in large amounts.

With the water in the region warming there is an increased risk of the blooms.

Do not dink the water and avoid swimming or household use.

Blue-green Algae, or cyanobacteria, are microscopic organisms that are naturally present in lakes and streams. They are usually present in low numbers but can rapidly increase in warm, shallow, undisturbed surface water that gets a lot of sun. When this happens, they can form blooms that discolour the water or produce floating scum on the surface of the water. Blooms often make the water look blue-green or olive-green, or like green pea soup or turquoise paint.

Earlier this month a similar report came from Thunder Lake in Dryden.

The Health Unit is still waiting for the toxicology results to come back in that case.

If you spot a bloom, report it the Spills Action Centre at 1-800-268-6060.

If you have questions contact the Northwestern Health Unit at 1-800-830-5978 to speak with a public health inspector.

 

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Two Regional Lakes Reporting Dangerous Blue-Green Algae

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The Northwestern Health Unit says it has found the presence of blue-green algae in a regional lake.

The potentially deadly algae has been found in Louise Lake in Pellatt Township in the Kenora area.

Officials say some blue-green algae blooms can produce toxins that pose a health risk to people and animals.

When the algae blooms are present, it is important to avoid drinking the water.

Even boiling or using chlorine to treat the water will not remove the toxins.

If you spot a bloom, avoid using the water and report it to the Spills Action Centre at 1-800-268-6060.

Another case is being reported in the Thunder Bay district at Surprise Lake.

Officials are now testing the water to see if the algae is toxic.