On July 3, 2024, Agassiz RCMP members were training on Harrison Lake where they noticed a group of people on flotation devices who had been pushed away from shore by the wind. Exhausted from swimming, the Members utilized a throw line to tow the group to safety.
Water recreation can be a lot of fun, but it also presents certain risks, especially when spending the day in the hot sun. Pool floats, inflatable rafts, and children’s water wings are not safety devices. While they reduce the effort required for swimming, they do not eliminate the risk. Swimmers are reminded of the following safety guidelines:
Wear a Personal Floatation Device (PFD): This is especially important for non-swimmers and children.
Understand the differences between natural water and pools: Being water competent in natural water requires additional knowledge and skills.
Check the weather: Changes in temperature and wind can quickly increase swimming difficulty.
Know your environment: Fast-moving currents, waves and rapids can be dangerous even in shallow water. Drop-offs, dams, underwater obstacles, rocks and debris can all present unexpected hazards.
Be aware of cold-water risks.
Avoid alcohol while participating in water activities.
“I urge everyone to prioritize safety while enjoying our beautiful lake,” says Sergeant Andy Lot, Detachment Commander with the Agassiz RCMP. Always wear a lifejacket, stay within designated swimming areas, and keep an eye on changing weather conditions. Let’s work together to ensure that everyone’s time on the water is both safe and fun.
According to the BC Coroners Service, between 2008-2012:
58.7 per cent of drowning deaths occur between May and August
81.1 per cent of drowning victims were male
Alcohol and/or drugs were contributing factors in 40.2 per cent of drowning deaths
People between the ages of 20-29 were most likely to be victims of drowning
Of the 397 deaths, just over 50 per cent (200) were involved in recreational activities such as swimming and boating, 44.1 per cent (175) involved falls into water, motor vehicle incidents where vehicles landed in water or deaths in bathtubs; and 5.5 per cent (220) were occupational.
Whether you are in a canoe, kayak, SUP or inflatable tube, if you’re getting from Point A to Point B, you’re navigating and must carry mandatory safety equipment as outlined by Transport Canada’s Small Vessel Regulations.
This includes:
A correctly fitted Personal Floatation Device (PDF)
A buoyant heaving line
A whistle
Here are a few simple safety tips to remember:
If you cannot swim, stay out of the water and seek the shade instead.
Wear a personal flotation device. Tragedy can strike in an instant. Don’t assume that you will have time to put on a lifejacket.
Watch your speed. Don’t race to the lake and don’t race on the lake. Speed is a major contributor to incidents on the roadways and on the water.
Do not put your feet in fast moving water that is deeper than the length of your arm. If a foot becomes entrapped by rocky bottom in deep water, the current will eventually push the swimmer over face first into the water.
If you are going to a less-traveled area, let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.
Always remember that alcohol and water don’t mix. Impaired driving laws are the same for operating a boat as they are for a vehicle.
Police issue water safety reminder
