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Manitoba Drowning Report 1999 A review of Manitoba’s water-related fatalities in 1997 |
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Manitoba Drowning Report 1999 A review of Manitoba’s water-related fatalities in 1997 |
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The following statistics were compiled from aquatic fatalities from 1997. This information is provided to emphasize high risk aquatic activities in Manitoba and to encourage safe behavior.
In 1997 there were 34 drownings:
In 1997 more drownings took place in Manitoba than in any of the previous four years. This was due in part to an unusually warm summer, and mild winter conditions resulting in thin ice. In addition, the flood of 1997 caused higher water levels throughout the province, thus further increasing the risk of drownings in communities. Once again males make up a very high proportion of these victims. The 18-34 year-old age category was the one plagued with the most drownings due to high-risk behaviors.
The number of preventable deaths in 1997 due to not wearing a simple PFD are alarming. Nine people died in situations where wearing a PFD may have saved their life. New boating regulations now requires that each person on the boat now have a PFD of appropriate size. As well, by September 2002, all boat operators will require a certificate of competency. The Lifesaving Society now offers a B.O.A.T. course which promotes boating safety and includes Coast Guard certification for safe boating operations.
In 1997 twelve individuals drowned under the influence of alcohol. Of these, 10 were over the legal driving limit of .08. While not all of these were in boating situations, please remember that Boozing and Boating don't mix! The Lifesaving Society continues to promote this campaign in conjunction with Manitoba Liquor Control Commission and Labatt's. As well, illicit drugs continue to play a large part in drowning incidents. Drugs were found in 18% of the drowning victims.
Twenty people drowned in 1997 while doing activities with others. These other people were close at hand when the drownings occurred. However, they were unable to save the victim due to a combination of failing to recognize what was taking place and a lack of general rescue knowledge. The Lifesaving Society offers lifesaving programs that teach people how to perform self-rescues and rescues of others. The Society offers a Parent Lifeguarding Course to help caregivers supervise children when around aquatic environments.
The Ladder Approach is the recommended way to rescue a person. The first and safest step begins with calling out to a victim and throwing them an aid, and builds up to the most dangerous rescues which include swimming out to the victim and carrying them back. During 1997, the swimming rescue was the most commonly used rescue, and in fact one person died while trying to save another using this type.
Increased snowfall can reduce ice thickness due to its insulative qualities making it difficult to tell how thick ice is. To walk on ice safely, a depth of 10 centimeters is required, whereas a snowmobile requires additional thickness - at least 12 centimeters. A total of 7 people died during 1997 in ice-related incidents.
Hypothermia kills in cold water. People lose heat up to ten times faster in the water than on land. Consequently in cold water people cool faster, resulting in hypothermia and ultimately death. Twelve people had hypothermia contribute to their drowning deaths. HELP (Heat Escape Lessening Position) involves grabbing your legs at your knees and pulling them into your body. This position increases core temperature and lengthens survival time in water. For more information about the risks of ice, the Lifesaving Society's Ice - The Winter Killer resource manual can be purchased at the office.
While on duty Constable Roger Lavalee was involved in a high speed chase. During the chase the car he was following hit a gravel embankment and flew into the Winnipeg River. The Constable planned his rescue before placing his life at risk. He first tried to call to the victim, but the victim could not swim. He realized that a swimming rescue would be required, so he armed himself with an air mattress. After swimming out and securing the victim to the air mattress, he towed the victim back to the shore. Once on shore, due to the cold temperatures of the water, Constable Lavalee treated his patient for hypothermia before sending him off to the hospital.
Jamin Rudy, aged 17 was out canoeing with his grandfather and neighbor when their boat capsized during the summer of 1997. They were fishing southeast of Steinbach when their boat reversed quickly from some weeds, began to take on some water and sank. Jamin ensured both put on their lifejackets, and then swam them into shore which was over 50 meters away. On the shore, they dealt with swarms of mosquitoes, medical problems, all the while trying to locate help for approximately 17 hours until they were spotted by a search plane and rescued.
1. Always Wear a Life Jacket!
Choose it and use it! Only 5% of Canadian drowning
victims were wearing a life jacket or personal flotation device.
One-quarter of boating drowning victims did not even have a
lifejacket in the boat.
2. Boozing and Boating Don't Mix
Don't drink and drive your boat, snowmobile or car.
Alcohol is involved in 36% of all preventable water-related
deaths in Canada. Alcohol adversely affects your balance,
judgement and reaction time. Drugs also are involved in over 20%
of all aquatic deaths in Manitoba.
3. Drive Responsibly
Drive your powerboat, personal watercraft or
snowmobile responsibly. Stay low, drive at moderate speeds and be
aware of changing weather conditions to avoid capsizing or
falling overboard. Falling overboard, capsizing and rough water
are each involved in one-third of fatal boating incidents. Drive
with extreme caution and proper lights after dark.
4. Always Supervise Young Children
If you're not within arms' reach, you've gone too
far! Young children under the age of 4 have a very high
preventible drowning rate. Backyard pools, bathtubs, and drainage
ponds all claim the lives of youngsters each year. These young
victims have often been left alone for just short periods of time.
Children can only support themselves for 20 seconds if they are
unable to swim. You must be your youngsters' lifeguard!
5. Learn to Swim!
Approximately 13% of the population takes formal
swimming lessons. One-half of drowning victims are non-swimmers.
6. Cold Water & Thin Ice Kills
Ensure the ice is thick enough for the activities
you are doing on it. Be ready to avoid hypothermia. Exposure to
cold water/hypothermia is a leading cause of preventable water
related deaths after drowning and alcohol. Cold or very cold
water is involved in one-quarter of preventable water-related
deaths. Cold water robs body heat more than 10 times faster than
air of the same temperature.
7. Don't Go in the Water Alone
Never swim alone, even in a backyard pool. 4 out of
10 victims are alone when they drown. When you do go swimming
with others, ensure you are watching out for each other. Many
drownings take place with others within a very small distance
from the victim.
8. Never Dive into Shallow Water
Feet first, first time! Approximately 35 Canadians
become partially or completely paralyzed each year from water
related incidents resulting in spinal injuries. Most of these
incidents occur while diving into shallow water.
9. Play and Swim in Supervised Areas
99% of drowning deaths occur in situations where
there is no lifeguard supervision.
10. Learn Lifesaving Skills
Two-thirds of Canadian victims can swim but still
drown... just learning to swim is not enough. Take a Lifesaving
Society water rescue course such as Swim Patrol, Bronze Medallion
or Aquatic Emergency Care at your local aquatic facility.
The Lifesaving Society acknowledges assistance in preparing The Manitoba Drowning Report from:
Research for Manitoba Report done by: Liz Speers &
Evelyn Bicknell
Layout and Articles done by: Kyle Quinn and Rob
Hewitt