How to stay safe around water this summer

Dr. Christian Vaillancourt, emergency physician at The Ottawa Hospital.

Did you know that nearly 500 people die from drowning in Canada every year?

Emergency physician Dr. Christian Vaillancourt debunks common myths about drowning, explains how to act quickly to save a life, and shares what you can do to keep yourself and your loved ones safe around water.

Drowning can happen to anyone

One of the biggest misconceptions about drowning is that it can’t happen when a lifeguard or many people are present. Another myth is that children are safe from drowning in shallow water or if they’re wearing water wings. But the reality is that drowning can happen to anyone who has access to water — and all it takes is enough water to submerge your face.

Even strong swimmers can drown. They might become fatigued, hit their head, suffer a cramp, get entangled underwater, or experience a medical emergency such as chest pain or a seizure. That’s why you should always swim with someone else.

Though drowning can happen to anyone, small children are especially vulnerable. They can drown in a shallow bath, a small plastic pool or even a bucket. Drowning is the most common cause of death in children aged one to four years old.

Early intervention saves lives

Victims pulled from the water are often unconscious and are either not breathing at all or only taking an occasional gasp. This gasping — also known as agonal breathing — is not normal breathing and is a sign of cardiac arrest, which is when the heart stops beating.

Acting within the first five minutes offers the drowning victim the best chance of survival. Call 911 and, if you are trained to do so, immediately begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and apply an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Drowning can usually be prevented

Here are the key ways you can help prevent a drowning:

First and foremost, everyone should learn how to swim.
If you own or manage a pool, keep the pool area fenced in and close the gate when the pool is not in use.
If you have a toddler, you should never be more than an arm’s length away from them when they’re around water.
If you are often near water, you should learn CPR and how to use a defibrillator.

Drowning prevention is a collective responsibility

Another way we can help prevent drownings is by raising awareness. Join us in making water safety a priority by sharing this short video featuring Dr. Vaillancourt: