Saskatchewan residents still taking water risks

REGINA — As temperatures rise, more and more people are looking to escape the heat by heading into the water, but they need to be cautious.

“Although water is fun it also has its dangers,” said Shelby Rushton, CEO of the Lifesaving Society, Saskatchewan branch.

According to the latest statistics by the Lifesaving Society, between 2007 and 2011, there were 104 drownings in Saskatchewan waters, which represents a 25-percent increase since the last five-year collection report.

The average water-related fatality rate for that same time period was two per 100,000 population, up from 1.6 in the previous five-year period. In four out of the five years, 20 or more people drowned in the province.

The data was released as part of National Drowning Prevention Week, which runs until Saturday.

“What stands out is that people are continuing to make bad decisions,” said Rushton.

She said now is the best time to urge people to be water smart because the majority of all drownings happen in June, July and August.

Rushton said people need to think before they go out into water, on the water or when they are around water.

She urges people to always wear a life-jacket or other personal flotation device when boating, to always supervise children around wa- ter, and to avoid risky behaviour like consuming alcohol.

Rushton said the fact that Saskatchewan residents continue to drown while in a submerged vehicle is also of concern.

She said of the 104 deaths, most victims were male, which did not surprise her.

“Men are generally the risk-takers in life,” said Rushton. “They like to try to swim across the lake. They like to jump off high cliffs.

“They don’t think they are going to get in trouble if they have a couple of drinks, then go swimming.”

She said those people who don’t know how to swim should show water respect and stay out of it or learn to swim. Throughout the week, the Lifesaving Society has several educational events planned in the province.