Latest news with #waterSafety
CBC
10 hours ago
- Health
- CBC
Water safety top of mind in Ottawa as drownings mount
Drowning is a silent killer. In just seconds, a child, friend or family member can disappear below the surface of the water. Across Canada, 2,209 people lost their lives in "unintentional water-related deaths" between 2015 and 2019, according to the 2024 National Drowning Report. Ontario's Office of the Chief Coroner told CBC 75 accidental drowning deaths occurred in the province last year, excluding accidents involving motor vehicles, farm equipment, scuba diving or falling through ice. CBC Ottawa has reported 15 water-related deaths so far this year in eastern Ontario and western Quebec, including the death of an Ottawa man who fell into the St. Lawrence River on Saturday. Two more suspected drownings occurred in Prince Edward County over the weekend. Ottawa man dies after falling into the St. Lawrence River Father drowned, child rescued near Westboro Beach On Monday morning, a light blue flag was raised in front of Ottawa city hall to commemorate National Drowning Prevention Week. Organized by the Lifesaving Society, this year's theme is "safer together." While it's too early to say how 2025 will compare to previous years, Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) says its water rescue team has been particularly busy in one spot. Deschênes Rapids a dangerous spot Just downstream from Britannia Beach, the Deschênes Rapids have seen a spike in rescues this summer season, according to OFS spokesperson Nick Defazio. Defazio said there were 15 rescues at the rapids last year. This year, firefighters have already responded to 13 emergencies there, all successful rescues. "What we see a lot of is people leave the beach, they don't realize the rapids are around the corner, and before it's too late they're going through them," he said. Defazio said if you witness someone drifting toward the rapids, call 911 and don't attempt to rescue them yourself. Sean Duffy, a vice-president with the Lifesaving Society, stressed the difference between swimming in a pool and in open water. He said people can overestimate their swimming abilities in lakes and rivers. "They think ... 'I can swim in a pool, I should be able to swim in open water,' but open water is very different than a pool. We've got currents and weather conditions and drop-offs," he said. "It's really important to know the environment that you're going into, and choose a safer option." "A big part of this is being proactive and sending a clear message to the residents of the city of Ottawa that they need to be very, very careful around the waters, especially with their children," said Coun. Steve Desroches, who attended Monday's event as deputy mayor. People are reminded to keep children under close supervision, never swim alone, wear a life-jacket and stick to beaches where lifeguards are on duty. On Friday, World Drowning Prevention Day, the Ottawa sign in the ByWard Market will turn blue as a reminder to everyone. "We just want people to be vigilant," said Duffy. "We know that drowning incidents can happen, but we also know that they're preventable."
CTV News
14 hours ago
- CTV News
Man drowns, another hospitalized after inflatable kayak capsizes in Sudbury
A 24-year-old man drowned and a 27-year-old was hospitalized after their inflatable kayak capsized at Sudbury's Moonlight Beach. Officials stress lifejacket use as Drowning Prevention Week kicks off. Madison Marier reports.
CTV News
21 hours ago
- General
- CTV News
‘Never been as scared': One woman's encounter with N.S. waters as National Drowning Prevention Week kicks off
About 450 people drown in Canada each year, and most victims can swim. About 450 people drown in Canada each year, and most victims can swim. It was a weekend at the cottage like any other for Allison Deveau. After putting her paddle board on a sandbar in Amherst Shore, N.S., she went inside to get something to eat. She came back outside only to discover it had floated away. Thinking quickly, she borrowed a kayak from a neighbour and went out to get it. 'I was quite confident, I'm a strong swimmer, and I was quite confident that I could get to it,' she tells CTV. Finally, she got to the board and strapped it to her ankle before turning back. 'I had texted my husband from there and let him know that I had the paddle board, and I was heading back, and he had said, 'If it's too hard, to ditch the paddle board, it's not worth it.' Choppy water with whitecaps made it a challenging paddle. She ditched the board and focused on getting back to shore, but the water was too strong. 'I knew that I wouldn't sink, but I was sitting out there, with really strong winds,' she says. Thankfully, she was wearing a lifejacket and didn't fear drowning in the kayak, but knew she was in trouble. 'I need help' 'I need help, find somebody with a boat,' she told her husband. Without luck, he called 911. But while he was on the phone, he spotted a Sea-Doo heading her way. The Sea-Doo was low on gas and the driver feared they might not make it in, but thankfully, the pair made it to shore. Deveau's experience is a reminder of the dangers on the water – and how quickly things can get out of control. Rainbow Haven Beach Lifejackets or PFDs can be loaned to youth in need at Rainbow Haven Beach in Cow Bay, N.S. (CTV Atlantic / Callum Smith) Teaching moment As much as she regrets what happened, Deveau says it was a teaching moment for her and her family. She told her son, 'Buddy, I have never been as scared as I was at that moment. Please don't let that ever happen to you. 'Because if there hadn't been anyone around or if I didn't have cell service, I don't know what would have happened.' This year's theme for National Drowning Prevention Week is Safer Together, encouraging people to never hit the water alone. '20 per cent of drownings annually are people that are out there alone,' Michael Melenchuk, the executive director of the Lifesaving Society of Nova Scotia told CTV Morning Live on Monday. 'They were canoeing, they were boating or swimming or snorkelling and they were doing it by themselves and, in some cases, not telling their loved ones how long they were going to be gone.' At Rainbow Haven Beach in Cow Bay, N.S., what people don't know sometimes poses the greatest risk. 'We have a giant channel that's along the beach,' says lifeguard Jillian Thomas. 'People jumping into that, not knowing what's underneath and how strong the currents are… So, that's probably the biggest risk.' She says the other thing lifeguards witness is people trying to swim certain distances but not actually realizing how far out they are. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
21 hours ago
- Health
- CTV News
First at Five: Drowning Prevention
Atlantic Watch About 450 people drown in Canada each year, and most victims can swim.
CTV News
a day ago
- CTV News
OPP investigating 2 suspected drownings in Prince Edward County
Ontario Provincial Police say a Toronto man has died and another person is missing following separate incidents on the water in Prince Edward County over the weekend. The first incident took place at around 11 p.m. Saturday on East Lake, about 40 kilometres south of Belleville. OPP were called to a resort on County Road 18 on reports of a possible drowning. When officers arrived, members of Prince Edward County Fire and Rescue, Hastings-Quinte Paramedics, and bystanders were attempting life-saving measures. OPP say a 51-year-old Toronto man was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A second report came in at around 6 p.m. Sunday from County Road 11, saying a group of people had been on East Lake in two canoes when they decided to go swimming and could not get back to their boats. Police say one person made it to shore, and a bystander went out in his boat and pulled two other individuals from the water, but the final person could not be located. OPP divers will be searching East Lake on Monday for the missing person, whose identity is not being released at this time. These incidents follow a drowning in the St. Lawrence River near Gananoque over the weekend, where a 20-year-old Ottawa man died. Officials have been reminding swimmers to take precautions near waterways and to always wear a lifejacket or personal flotation device, especially while boating or participating in water activities.
