VICTORIA - A significant increase in the number of recreational drowning incidents this summer is prompting the BC Coroners Service to reiterate the need for greater caution around the province's lakes, rivers and ocean coastline.
BC Coroners Service statistics show that 34 persons have drowned in recreational incidents in the province between July 1 and Aug. 21.
This represents an increase of more than 50 per cent when compared to 2011, where a total of 22 persons drowned during all of July and August. In 2010, the number of drownings for the full two-month period was 24.
The highest number of drownings - a total of 14 - has occurred in the southern Interior region of the province. Nine have died on Vancouver Island, and five in northern B.C.
Almost half the deaths - a total of 15 - occurred in lakes. Another 11 occurred in rivers, with six in the ocean and two in swimming pools.
Of those who died, only five were female. One child under the age of 10 died, and one teenager. In contrast, five of those who died were over the age of 70 and another six were in their sixties.
Seven persons died while swimming and another seven died from falling into water unexpectedly. Others were boating, attempting to cliff-dive, or rafting/tubing. There have been no scuba-diving deaths so far (as of Aug. 24) this summer.
Investigation into these deaths is ongoing in all cases. It is clear, however, that some of them could have been prevented through better water safety measures.
WATER SAFETY TIPS
* Always wear a properly fitting Personal Flotation Device (PFD) when engaged in boating or tubing activities. If you are suddenly thrown into cold and/or rough water, it may often be impossible to find a PFD and put it on, even if you had one in the boat with you.
Children, non-swimmers and weak swimmers should also wear a PFD when wading or playing in the water at a river or lakeside.
* Alcohol and water-related activities do not mix, any more than alcohol and driving do. Alcohol impairs your co-ordination and judgment, and this substantially adds to the risk inherent in swimming or boating. Impairment by alcohol or drugs is also often a contributing factor in cases in which someone has accidentally fallen into water from shore.
* Be aware of the water conditions where you are planning your activities. Check the weather forecast before heading out, and also do a visual inspection of the area. Do not head blindly down a river or stream without being aware of the water conditions further downstream.
* If you are hosting visitors from another province or country, ensure that they are informed about the conditions that prevail in the lake or river you are visiting. Warn them about steep drop-offs, rapids and any other hazards.
* Never dive into unknown waters. Unexpectedly shallow water or hidden obstacles underwater can easily prove fatal. Diving from cliffs or from other great heights is an exceptionally high-risk activity.
* Always supervise children anywhere near water. Pre-school-aged children can drown in only a few centimetres of water, and the drowning is often silent. Proper supervision for children of this age involves always having them within arm's length of a responsible adult.