City of Kamloops provides tips on how to not drown during World Drowning Prevention Day

KAMLOOPS — Every year on July 25 is marked as World Drowning Prevention Day. It’s a time each year to increase awareness about the consequences of drowning.

In Canada, 500 people drown every year. Health Minister Adrian Dix says its the most common cause of death among children between ages one to four. In B.C., 86 people died from drowning in 2022. According to the B.C. Coroners Service, 31 were from the Interior Region.

“In swimming pools we have two demographics, the most specifically that are needed to be rescued from a near drowning experience,” Aquatics Supervisor from the City of Kamloops Andrew Smeaton told CFJC Today.

“That’s children specifically under the age of eight and then we also see an increased risk for say early university students.”

Here in Kamloops, lifeguards say it’s important to seek help if you don’t know how to swim and learn what they call a “swim to survive” method.

“It’s important to understand how to rescue yourself in a situation,” said Lifeguard Jonah Hector. “So what that is you need to do a roll into the water, swim 50 meters and then tread water for a minute and if you’re able to do that you’ll most likely be able to save yourself from a lot of circumstances.”