Latest news with #DrowningPreventionWeek
Global News
28-07-2025
- Global News
2 people, including child, die in separate Ontario drownings Saturday: OPP
Two people, including a three-year-old, died in separate drownings in Ontario on Saturday, as one expert warns that July often sees the highest number of drownings in Canadian water. Ontario Provincial Police are investigating after emergency services were called to Mille Roches Beach in Long Sault around 5:45 p.m. regarding a child with no vital signs. A statement from police said off-duty medical professionals were attempting to resuscitate the child who was rushed to the hospital and later pronounced dead. Separately, police said emergency services responded to a residence on River Road East in Wasaga Beach at approximately 1:05 p.m. after reports of a missing kayaker. They said a 24-year-old man from Toronto had been kayaking with two others when their boat overturned. The Wasaga Beach Fire Department located the man and started resuscitation efforts before he was taken to hospital and later pronounced dead. Story continues below advertisement Neither of the identities were released out of respect for the families. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Police are also investigating the death of another three-year-old who drowned at Sandbanks Provincial Park on Thursday. OPP at the time said the number of drownings in eastern Ontario this year is more than double what it was by this time in 2024. Stephanie Bakalar, a spokesperson for Lifesaving Society, said in an interview that July is often the month with the highest number of drownings across the country as people look to cool down amid hotter temperatures, with most instances occurring in natural bodies of water. Saturday marked the final day of Drowning Prevention Week in Canada, and Bakalar offered some general tips for staying safe around the water. 'Depending on the different age groups, we have slightly different risk factors, but generally pretty much the same things,' she said. Bakalar said that swimming or boating alone is a significant risk factor for both older and younger adults. For those above the age of 65, she said about 70 per cent of drowning deaths happen while individuals are swimming alone. For children under the age of five, she said, drowning most often occurs while 'supervision was either absent or distracted.' Story continues below advertisement 'I think it's really important for especially parents and caregivers, anyone who's taking kids near the water, to understand that drowning is fast and it is silent,' Bakalar said. She said someone supervising a child should be within an arm's reach and remain hyper vigilant. 'If you can't get to your child in a moment, if you cannot reach out and grab them, you are too far away from them, and the unthinkable can happen that quickly,' Bakalar said. When boating, she said it is always important to wear a life-jacket. 'About 90 per cent of the drowning deaths in Ontario, specifically, while people were boating, which includes powerboats, canoes, and kayaks. the victims were not wearing life-jackets,' Bakalar said. Staying sober when swimming or supervising someone else can increase safety, according to Bakalar. She also noted that swimming in a lifeguard-supervised setting can help people stay safe as they look to cool off amid hotter temperatures. 'We are never immune to drowning if we don't take layers of protection. So it's knowing how to swim. It's wearing the life-jacket. It's being with someone else,' Bakalar said.
Ottawa Citizen
24-07-2025
- Health
- Ottawa Citizen
OPP sound the alarm following 10 drownings so far this season
Article content Since there are no lifeguards on their beaches, they do make PFDs available to borrow free of charge. This service is available to visitors at 70 of its participating parks. Article content Ontario Parks also reminds people never to leave children unattended, especially in the water, regardless of how shallow it may be. Article content According to the Canadian Red Cross, 'the absence of adult supervision is a factor in most child drownings,' regardless of whether a child can swim or not. Article content Ontario Parks added that while water wings and inflatable tubes are great, they are not a substitute for a PFD/lifejacket and full-time adult supervision. Article content Wearing a lifejacket has multiple benefits if you find yourself in a water-related situation. It can pop you back up to the surface, give you time to adjust to the situation, catch your breath, and call for help. Article content On what is currently the Lifesaving Society's national Drowning Prevention Week (July 20-26), the organization noted in a news release that drowning claims the lives of hundreds of Canadians each year. 'Over 400 Canadians die in preventable water-related incidents annually. Even one drowning is too many,' the release said. Article content Article content This year's campaign is urging people to be 'safer together.' Article content 'This year's National Drowning Prevention Week is all about the easy ways that anyone can have a safer experience in or around the water. Safer together means you swim with someone instead of alone, and you wear a lifejacket instead of keeping it next to you in the boat. It's simple steps like these that make sure your day on the water ends happily,' said Lifesaving Society Ontario's Stephanie Bakalar. Article content In Ontario, 100% of drownings among children under the age of five occurred when supervision was absent or distracted. Article content Swimming alone accounted for 71% of drowning deaths in adults aged 65 and older, and 57% in adults aged 35 to 64. Article content Only 1% of drownings occur in lifeguard-supervised settings. Article content In boating-related fatalities, 89% of victims were not wearing a lifejacket. Article content Some tips include: Article content Actively supervise children anytime they are in or near the water. Article content Always swim with a buddy. Article content The safest place to swim is where the lifeguards are. Article content Lifejackets can save your life.
CTV News
20-07-2025
- CTV News
Ottawa police patrolling for boating safety, enforcement to prevent summer drownings
Const. TJ Jellinik (right) with the Ottawa Police Marine, Dive and Trail Unit out on the water performing enforcement on July 19, 2025. (Kimberley johnson/CTV News Ottawa) Ottawa police are urging boaters to be aware of the risks and to be prepared before heading out on the water this summer. Officers are monitoring Ottawa's waterways, checking in with boaters to ensure they are being safe and prepared while handing out hefty fines for those breaking the rules. The Lifesaving Society has designated this week as 'Drowning Prevention Week' to raise awareness of the dangers of being out on the water and to promote safety. Ottawa police Const. TJ Jellinik says there have been no boating-related drownings in the city so far this year and officers would like to keep it that way. 'So far this year, the drownings, unfortunately, we've had several not involving vessels,' he said. 'People are swimming in unsupervised areas and things like that. We've had a couple of marine accidents that were still under investigation. Overall, it's been a relatively good boating season.' Jellinik has been with the Marine, Dive and Trails Unit for five years and says boating stops and checks aim to keep people safe. Officers will ask for the vessel operator's card, registration and safety equipment. 'When we stop boats, although they have all their safety equipment, you still have to understand where it is and that it's readily accessible,' he said. 'Think of it as, if the house is burning down, you don't have to go find the fire extinguisher, you need to know where that is. If it's under a bench and it's inaccessible, that's a bit of a problem. Have your equipment ready. Have it safe. Know where it is. Be able to use it because when you need it, you need it.' On Saturday, a 20-year-old Ottawa man drowned after falling out of a stationary boat near Gananoque on the St. Lawrence River. A similar incident occurred last week when a 22-year-old Toronto man died after he fell overboard and did not resurface on Weslemkoon Lake near Bancroft, Ont. A 21-year-old was charged with two counts of impaired driving after the incident. According to Ontario Provincial Police, neither of the victims were wearing a lifejacket or personal flotation device (PFD). Jellinik says wearing a lifejacket while on board a boat or vessel is important to prevent similar tragedies. He says everyone on board should have access to one that fits and is in good condition. Children under 12 should also be wearing one. People without one can face a $240 fine. 'Doesn't have rips. It's not all faded from the sun. It's not all covered in mildew and you've had it stored in the cubby for the last 50 years,' he said. As for alcohol, he says it's about knowing the rules of each province. In Quebec, you can have open liquor on board a moving boat but in Ontario, you cannot. No matter where you are, you should always be under the legal limit. 'Number one, always be sober when you're at the wheel,' he said. 'Number two, be aware of your surroundings and know the rules of the waterways, same as you would with the rules of the road.' Enforcement will be out all summer long aiming to prevent tragedy. 'Boating is a fantastic activity. We want people to have all their safety equipment. We want them to have fun,' he said. 'If they follow those rules, they can have a great time in the summer.'
Edinburgh Reporter
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
West Lothian Leisure goes beyond the pool
West Lothian Leisure took a new approach to mark Drowning Prevention Week this summer, by expanding its efforts beyond the pool. The local authority embedded vital water safety education in all its sporting disciplines – inspired and led by the Learn to Swim programme. The campaign is rooted in the Learn to Swim National Framework, a partnership between Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water, which helps more than 82,000 children build confidence and skills in the water every week in 167 pools in Scotland. To mark Drowning Prevention Week, West Lothian Leisure took the core principles of Learn to Swim even further. Instead of regular practice, swimming lessons across the trust were transformed into water safety workshops and uniquely, coaches from gymnastics, football, badminton and golf also delivered water safety messages through fun, creative activities. At the heart of the initiative was the 'Superheroes – Call 999!' theme, where children dressed as their favourite superheroes while learning the Water Safety Code. The campaign spanned all ages, from baby and adult swimming classes to sports sessions for young people, ensuring more families across West Lothian received life-saving knowledge. To ensure maximum impact, West Lothian Leisure coaches underwent targeted training and held a dedicated Focus Day. Throughout Drowning Prevention Week, water safety was reinforced through interactive learning, games, and competitions at venues across the region. This comprehensive approach came as latest figures reveal the ongoing risks around Scotland's waters, the National Water Safety Forum reported that tragically in 2024 there were 33 accidental drownings in Scotland, highlighting the critical importance of water safety education heading into summer. Lorraine Pollock, Sports Development Manager at West Lothian Leisure, said: 'This initiative is powered by our participation in the Learn to Swim programme. Drowning Prevention Week is the perfect moment to showcase how water safety can reach far beyond swimming lessons. 'We've made it our mission to get every child – whether they're in the pool, on the football pitch or in the gym – engaging with water safety in a way that's fun, memorable, and potentially life-saving. Through our 'Superheroes – Call 999!' theme, we're making safety relatable for families across West Lothian.' West Lothian Leisure is one of 38 delivery partners of the Learn to Swim programme, a Scotland-wide initiative that equips children with skills for life – both in and around the water. John Lunn, CEO of Scottish Swimming, said: 'This is a fantastic example of the Learn to Swim ethos in action. West Lothian Leisure's all-sport approach demonstrates innovative thinking and shows how the programme can be adapted to reach even more families and communities with crucial water safety messages.' Peter Farrer, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Water, added: 'We cannot over-emphasise the importance of water safety all year round, but it's particularly relevant over summer months when people are often more likely to be around water. 'So, it's great that Xcite are rolling their water safety sessions out beyond swim lessons and will reach even more people with the vital knowledge and skills to help them feel safer in, on and around water.' Drowning Prevention Week, organised by the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), is one of the largest water safety campaigns in the UK and Ireland. It aims to equip everyone with the skills and knowledge to stay safe around water. Like this: Like Related
Daily Mirror
22-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Tragedy as man, 20, found dead in village river on hottest weekend of the year
The last few days have seen Brits hit with sweltering heat blasts with some parts of the UK hitting 33C- but a dip in a river to cool off turned into tragedy for 20-year-old Jacob Rutkowski A family have paid tribute to their 20-year-old son who was found dead in their village river this week. It is understood that on Friday, June 20 Jacob Rutkowski was at the river Tees in County Durham when the tragedy took place. It is believed he entered the water in Gainford but began to struggle, sparking a huge emergency response. After a 999 call was made at around 2.30pm the air ambulance, mountain rescue crews, police helicopter, paramedics and fire crews all rushed to the rural village. Drones and rescue dogs were also used in the search in a desperate bid to save Jacob. Despite their best efforts Jacob was unable to be saved and several hours later police Durham Police confirmed that they had pulled a body from the river. Their statement on Friday night read: "We're sorry to report that a body has been found in the river at Gainford this evening. It is believed a 20-year-old man had entered the water this afternoon and got into difficulty. "Formal identification has yet to take place but the man's family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. We would like to thank all our emergency services partners for their assistance." While police have yet to formally identify the body as the 20-year-old from from Darlington, County Durham, a GoFundMe page set up by Jacob's loved ones suggests it was Jacob. The page was set up to raise funds for his funeral and a heartbreaking message shared to the page read: "As many of you have already heard, our family experienced the unimaginable. This devastating loss has left our entire family heartbroken beyond words. He was a son, a brother, a loving boyfriend — and above all, a beautiful soul taken far too soon. "We are raising funds to help with funeral and memorial costs, and to support the family during this painful time. Anything you can give will help ease the burden and allow us to focus on grieving and honouring his memory. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts." The last few days have seen Brits hit with sweltering heat blasts reaching well above the average for the time of year, with the southeast blasted with 33.2C on Saturday. And when temperatures reach highs of 30C it's easy to see why people take a dip in their local river or lake. This week marks Drowning Prevention Week, and in a bid to raise awareness of water safety risks the London Fire Brigade (LFB) is increasing engagement with communities. LFB has attended more than 280 water-related incidents this year so far, an increase of about 15% compared with the same period in 2024, it said. They have included incidents such as sinking and capsized boats, individuals trapped in mud or caught by the tide, and people and animals in distress in the water. Fifteen incidents resulted in people drowning in London, the fire brigade said. For advice on what to do if you get into difficulty in the water visit the RNLI website by clicking here.
