(CNW) Drowning statistics show that more than 80 percent of Canadian drowning victims are male, and those between the ages of 18 and 24 years have the highest risk.
Alcohol consummation is a factor in more than half of
water-related fatalities.
Just over half of the drownings occur during weekends and often
in the evening after boaters and swimmers have spent the day
drinking alcohol.
The Lifesaving Society is reminding Ontarians to not drink and
boat this long weekend. Individuals convicted of impaired
boating can lose their driver's licences.
An amendment to the Highway Traffic Act last month means the
penalties that apply to individuals convicted of impaired
driving of an automobile, also apply to impaired boaters who
drive powered vessels.
"Drinking and boating is extremely dangerous, so this is a huge
step in the fight for water safety," says Ed Bean, marketing
director for the Lifesaving Society, Canada's lifeguarding
experts.
This new enforcement tool means that boating-related deaths and
catastrophic injuries should fall in Ontario.
"Ironically, the same people who would never drink and drive
their car will often drink and boat," says Bean. "We want to
change the perception that it's OK to drink and boat in order
to help save lives."
The Lifesaving Society, Canada's lifeguarding experts, is a
charitable organization working to prevent drowning and
water-related injury through its training programs. Each year
in Canada, the Society certifies more than 500,000 people in
its swim, lifesaving, lifeguarding and leadership courses. For
more information, visit:
www.lifesavingsociety.com
.
