With temperatures rising and the recent tragic death of a 17-year-old boy at Langford Lake, it’s imperative to recognize the signs of drowning before heading out to enjoy the water.
Understanding the signs of drowning can be critical in preventing tragic accidents in Vancouver Island waters.
According to statistics from last year, nearly 500 Canadians drown annually in preventable water-related incidents. Drowning is also the leading cause of unintentional death among children aged one to four.
Almost half of all child drownings in Canada occur in backyard swimming pools. However, children can drown in as little as 2.5 cm of water in just seconds.
Last year, BC Coroners Service revealed that accidental drownings on Vancouver Island have increased, with 18 fatalities in 2022, three more than the ten-year average of 15—82% of drownings in this area were males.
The leading causes of drowning were associated with activities such as boating, swimming, and accidental falls into the water.
Notably, weekends and the peak summer months of July and August were found to have a higher likelihood of drowning fatalities.
Medical Health Officer Dr. Murray Fyfe emphasizes that accidental drownings are preventable with responsible behaviour and safety precautions. Notably, alcohol and substance use are contributing factors in 38% of drowning deaths, and 65% of fatal boating incidents involve alcohol.
To enhance safety while enjoying the water, Dr. Murray Fyfe recommends implementing multiple layers of protection. This includes learning how to swim, wearing life jackets near and in the water, installing proper fencing around backyard pools, and ensuring constant supervision of young children.
Understanding the instinctive drowning response, a concept identified by researcher Francesco A. Pia, is also crucial.
Drowning is typically silent and quick, marked by several key signs:
- Lack of leg movement
- Upright position in the water
- Inability to talk or keep the mouth consistently above water
People close to drowning cannot control their arm movements and instinctively push down on the water to try to stay above the surface and breathe.
These are some of the signs of drowning include:
- Head low in the water, mouth at water level
- Head tilted back with mouth open
- Eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus
- Eyes open, with fear evident on the face
- Hyperventilating or gasping
- Trying to swim in a particular direction but not making headway
- Trying to roll over on the back to float
However, someone who appears to be thrashing and yelling could still be in distress and need assistance.
By being aware of these signs and taking proactive safety measures, we can make BC waters safer for everyone.
This video demonstration shows examples to watch for:
The following video shows a real life rescue of a person drowning:
