Following a recent drowning fatality in Yellowknife’s Frame Lake, the NWT Coroner Service has issued some safety tips as part of their National Drowning Prevention Week campaign.
According to the Coroner Service, Alcohol-related drownings are the number one cause of intoxicant-related deaths in Canada every year. In the NWT, alcohol is a factor in 48% of swimming fatalities in young adults and 32% of swimming fatalities in older adults.
“Don’t drink and drown,” the Coroner Service says.
The Coroner Service adds that open water behaves differently than indoor pools, and folks looking to enjoy a day at the lake should always check conditions before heading out.
The Service adds that 70% of all fatal drownings in Canada occur in open water such as lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and ditches.
“When you have the choice, swim in supervised open water areas or environments,” the Coroner Service says.
Children and adults are recommended to always swim with a partner, or an adult, to ensure shifting waters do not pull swimmers out too far.
“If you’re not within arms’ reach, you’ve gone too far,” the Coroner Service says. “Always supervise your children,” they add.
