Last weekend, the BC Coroners Service began investigations into the tragic deaths of eight individuals who drowned in B.C.'s rivers and lakes. These deaths involved individuals from ages 12 to 75 and occurred in a variety of circumstances.

With the B.C. Day weekend approaching, the BC Coroners Service and Emergency Management BC are warning residents and visitors to take extra care when engaging in water-related activities in an effort to prevent further loss of life.

High runoff from the winter's snowpack and heavy rains during the spring and early summer have left many rivers, streams, and lakes with much higher water levels than is usual at this time of year. As well, many rivers and streams, especially in the southern Interior, are running much faster, and at higher levels, than would normally be expected by the B.C. Day weekend.

Chris Duffy, executive director for Emergency Management BC, said: "Touring the Interior region of the province recently, I have never seen such high water levels and flow rates at this time of year." As a result of these unusual water conditions, activities that might have been quite safe in mid-summer in other years may not be safe this summer.

"The risk in many activities such as rafting, tubing and canoeing is likely to be much higher than might otherwise be expected," chief coroner Lisa Lapointe said.

Lapointe noted that visitors to B.C. are often at particularly high risk because they do not recognize that local waters are likely to be more hazardous than those in other parts of Canada or the world. The water is often colder, lakes have steep drop-offs, and underwater debris can pose unexpected difficulties.

The attached factsheets provide (1) key water safety tips, and (2) a summary of drowning deaths in B.C. over the past five years.

Contact:

Barb McLintock
Coroner, Strategic Programs
BC Coroners Service
250 356-9253 or 250 213-5020

FACTSHEET 1

Aug. 2, 2012 Ministry of Justice

BC Coroners Service

Water safety tips

• Always wear a properly fitting Personal Floatation 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.
• 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 having them within arm's length of a responsible adult.
• 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.
• Be aware of the area 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.
• For further information about water safety tips, visit websites of such organizations as the Canadian Red Cross and the Lifesaving Society.

Contact:

Barb McLintock
Coroner, Strategic Programs
BC Coroners Service
250 356-9253 or 250 213-5020

FACTSHEET 2

Aug. 2, 2012 Ministry of Justice

BC Coroners Service

Accidental drowning deaths in B.C. 2006-10

This is a summary of findings compiled by the BC Coroners Service relating to accidental drowning deaths reported to the BC Coroners Service for the five-year period.

• A total of 404 accidental drownings have occurred in B.C. over the five year period, for an average of about 80 drowning deaths each year.
• Five out of six of those who drowned were male.
• Alcohol and/or drugs were noted to be contributing factors in more than two out of five of the deaths (42.3 per cent).
• About one-seventh of the deaths involved visitors to B.C.
• Almost one-third of all deaths (30.9 per cent) occurred during the two months of July and August. Almost half of the visitors who drowned (49.2 per cent) died during that two-month period.
• The three most common recreational activities involving in accidental drowning were: swimming, motor boating, and canoeing/kayaking.
• The highest proportion of accidental drowning occurred in the southern Interior (an area which encompasses the Kamloops area, the Okanagan and the Kootenays).
• More than half the deaths occurred in the age group from 20 through 49.
• Full details of this study can be found on the BC Coroners website at: http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/coroners/publications/docs/stats-water-related-fatalities.pdf

Contact:

Barb McLintock
Coroner, Strategic Programs
BC Coroners Service
250 356-9253 or 250 213-5020