Island Health warns most people wouldn’t recognize someone drowning

As more people head to Vancouver Island’s lakes, rivers and beaches this summer, Island Health is reminding the public that drowning rarely looks the way it’s portrayed in movies.

Health officials say many people expect someone who is drowning to splash, yell or wave for help. In reality, drowning is often silent and can happen in less than a minute, making it easy for friends, family and even nearby swimmers to miss the warning signs.

“Drowning rarely looks dramatic like it does on TV and in the movies. It can be quiet, fast and easy to miss,” said Lenea Grace, executive director of the Lifesaving Society BC & Yukon.

“People often don’t realize that someone in trouble may not be able to wave or shout for help. Knowing the signs to watch for can save a life.”

Instead of calling out, someone who is drowning may only gasp for air, cough or breathe irregularly while remaining almost motionless in the water.

Their body is often upright, with their mouth barely above the surface and their head low in the water as they struggle to stay afloat.

The reminder comes as thousands of people are expected to flock to Vancouver Island waterways during the warm summer weather.

Although accidental drowning deaths declined across the Island Health region last year, 17 people still lost their lives in 2025, according to the BC Coroners Service. Nine of those deaths occurred in the central Vancouver Island region, including seven on the Cowichan River.

Officials note that fatal drownings are only part of the picture. For every drowning death, there are at least three non-fatal drowning incidents, many of which can result in permanent brain injuries caused by a lack of oxygen.

“Almost every drowning is preventable,” said Dr. Melissa Wan, medical health officer, Island Health.

“There is no single fix, but layers of protection work together: knowing how to swim, wearing a lifejacket, swimming with others, and learning the skills to help someone in trouble. As a community, the more of those layers we put in place, the more lives we protect this summer.”

Island Health is encouraging anyone spending time around water to always swim with a buddy, keep children within arm’s reach, choose lifeguard-supervised beaches when possible and avoid mixing alcohol or drugs with water activities.

Officials also recommend wearing a properly fitted lifejacket whenever appropriate, noting that adults who wear one are more likely to encourage children and others to do the same.