Staff sergeant advises water safety after potential increase in Alberta drownings

In the wake of drowning deaths across the province this summer, Alberta RCMP said that safety should be top of mind if you're planning on being out on the water.

Alberta RCMP have responded to 15 drownings so far this year — a number that doesn't include deaths in Calgary and some other municipalities.

Staff Sgt. Brent Meyer of the Central Alberta District RCMP said that the number is high for how early in the year it is.

Alberta RCMP have responded to more than 80 drownings in the past five years. The breakdown is below:

• 2016: 13.
• 2017: 21.
• 2018: 16.
• 2019: 13.
• 2020: 18.
• 2021: 15 (as of July 15).

Meyer said the potential increase this year could be due to loosened COVID-19 restrictions, coupled with the heat waves that have swept Alberta in June and July.

"I think just everyone is getting out and enjoying family time and trying to keep cool," said Meyer. "And unfortunately some of these day trips or trips to the lakes and rivers in our areas have resulted in people not going home."

Drowning usually preventable

Personal safety should be top of mind when heading out on the water, said Meyer, as most deaths from drowning are preventable.

"[Water] may look calm rolling by you in a river, but you're not getting an accurate picture of what's going on underneath the surface or if there's debris [or] another obstruction in the water," he said.

Wearing a life jacket or having a flutter board or inflatable device close by can give you an advantage. But it's not fail-safe protection — Meyer advised staying close to shore and wearing a life jacket that fits properly.

Life jacket sizing is based on chest measurements for adults and weight for children, according to the Canadian Red Cross website. Users should read the label for details, and life jackets should fit snugly but comfortably.

Be prepared

Learning to swim through lessons or from a lifeguard is one of the safest things anyone can do, regardless of age.

"But when you do head out to the water, don't just trust your natural swimming abilities. Plan ahead," Meyer said.

Leave your valuables at the shore and wear appropriate clothing and footwear, which means no heavy garments that can get weighed down by water.

Supervision, especially for infants and kids, is also imperative.

"It doesn't take a lake of water to drown and it doesn't take all that much water to put yourself or your children at risk," said Meyer. "So I think if you have a young child out near the water and you're a parent, if you're not in arm's reach, you're too far."

Avoid drugs and alcohol

The delayed reactions when you drink alcohol or take drugs — including painkillers and muscle relaxants — can increase risk of an accident.

"Your reaction time, your depth perception, your reasoning, all of those things are diminished," said Meyer.

"So anything you can do to keep your wits about you and keep your mind functioning and your body in optimal shape when you're near the water is important."

About 400 Canadians drown each year, according to the Lifesaving Society.