As people in the Interior head to lakes, rivers, swimming pools to cool off this summer, it is important to keep water safety in mind.
Okanagan Lake, a popular vacation destination, has had the most drowning deaths in B.C. with 33 over a 10-year span between 2015 to 2024.
“Water activities like swimming and boating can be a lot of fun and a great way to cool down, but drowning is a danger we all need to think about," says Shianne Baines, Injury Prevention Lead with Interior Health's Healthy Communities team. “Drownings peak in the summer months, and can happen quickly and quietly, sometimes in less than a minute.”
Across the province, there were 93 drowning deaths last year with the Interior region accounting for the majority with 24 deaths.
Eighty-six per cent of the drowning deaths involved men with the most common activity associated with drowning death were swimming, bathing and unintentionally falling into the water.
Drowning is preventable. Here are four ways you can be water smart to keep you and your loved ones safe.
Wear a lifejacket during water activities
Wearing a properly fitted lifejacket or personal floatation device appropriate to the water activity is one of the best ways to prevent drowning. This includes boating, jet skiing, paddleboarding and kayaking.
According to a study by the Drowning Prevention Research Centre, more than 80 per cent of people who died in boating-related incidents were not wearing a personal floatation device or lifejacket.
Some feel a false sense of security because they are strong swimmers or because there’s a lifejacket within reach says the Lifesaving Society. But trying to put a lifejacket on before you capsize, or while in the water, is like trying to buckle your seatbelt right before your car crashes. It's impossible.
“It’s also really important for anyone around a backyard pool, a lake or river to wear a lifejacket if they don’t know how to swim,” says Shianne.
Drinking, drugs and water activities don’t mix
While wearing a lifejacket is critical, so is not consuming substances like alcohol or drugs while participating in water activities or operating a boat. When you’re on the water you can become impaired twice as fast as on land due to the motion of waves, the sun’s intensity and the effects of wind and glare.
“Mixing drinking and/or drugs with water activities can lead to impaired judgement and that’s where there’s an extra level of risk that can lead to more chances of drowning,” says Shianne.
Around half of the drowning deaths in B.C. in 2024, for instance, involved alcohol or drugs. Between 2015 and 2024, that statistic held true for people between 19 and 69 years old.
Keep children in sight
The Lifesaving Society has a saying that if you’re out of reach of your children, you’ve gone too far. It means if you’re at the beach or a pool, be right there with your toddlers and young children. According to the Society, 96 per cent of drowning deaths in children under five happen when there is little to no supervision.
“At a beach or pool, the most important thing is for parents that have young children is to keep them within arms’ reach,” notes Shianne . “If they’re going near the water, position yourself near the water, so you’re easily able to respond if they were to fall in or even just have a tumble over.”
Children can drown in as little as 2.5 centimeters (one inch) of water, and drowning can happen quickly and quietly.
Know your limits and use the buddy system
Always swim with a buddy. Even if you’re a good swimmer, you can still find yourself in dangerous situations in the water—water that is deep, being too far from shore or becoming fatigued.
Hypothermia—when the body gets cold and loses heat faster than the body can make it—is a real risk when swimming outdoors. Even at the height of summer, most Canadian waters are below 20°C.
More resources
- Drowning (Parachute Canada)
- Drowning prevention tips (BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit)
- Drowning Prevention & Aquatic Safety (Lifesaving Society BC & Yukon)
- Drowning: A silent killer - Canadian Red Cross
- Choosing Lifejackets and PFDs (Transport Canada)
- Office of Boating Safety (Transport Canada)
- Canadian Safe Boating Council – Boating Safety, Boater Education & Outreach
- Pool Fencing Laws (Parachute Canada)
July 20–26, 2025 is National Drowning Prevention Week in Canada, and July 25 marks World Drowning Prevention Day.
¹ Accidental Drowning Deaths 2013–2023 (BC Coroners Service)
Check out more stories like this
Dr. Neil Crofts reflects on a career defined by leadership, service and a lasting commitment to the communities he served.
/stories/community-minded-physician-and-leader-leaves-lasting-mark
Returning home after an evacuation can be a relief. Depending on how long you've been gone, and the condition of your home, you may need to follow precautions.
/stories/returning-home-after-evacuation
Find out how to access the health care you need if you're living situation changes due to a wildfire
/stories/accessing-care-if-youre-evacuated-due-wildfire
Wildfires and natural disasters have many impacts on mental health and well-being. Here are some tips that can help with the stress from wildfire season.
/stories/how-take-care-your-mental-wellness-during-wildfire-season
Choosing to practice medicine in a small community in Canada wasn’t part of Babatunde’s original plan, but he’s glad he took the leap.
/stories/we-are-ih-cranbrook-doctor-finds-meaning-rural-bc-health-care
The IH Indigenous health & wellness podcast explores the intersection of health & culture in the workplace, everyday lives and patient care.
/stories/celebrating-interior-voices-podcast-75th-episode-launches
STAY CONNECTED
Receive news, alerts, public service announcements and articles right to your inbox.
