Police say pandemic may be factor in recent increase in drownings

Aug 21, 2020 | 2:53 PM

The RCMP’s underwater recovery team (URT) suggests the COVID-19 pandemic may be a factor in an increase in drownings in recent months.

Sgt. Steven Pebernat, a diving coordinator with the URT, said it’s thought people are travelling further into the wilderness given that many of the usual recreational areas have been closed.

“What we are seeing a lot of his year, in particular, is individuals who are not familiar with B.C.’s waters getting themselves into precarious and consequential situations by not taking safety precautions and not being informed of the water conditions or their abilities.

Whether a result of individuals not paying attention to their surrounding areas, not wearing lifesaving devices, unsure of their swimming abilities, or unaware of the water conditions, the B.C. RCMP sees a rise in the number of drownings during summer months.

The B.C. Coroners Service says many of the water deaths they investigate are preventable.

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“During the summer months, we continue to see higher numbers of drowning deaths compared to what we see in the fall, winter, and spring, given the reality that more people go to our lakes, rivers, and oceans when the weather is warmer,” Andy Watson, manager of strategic communications with the Coroners Service said. “The one positive sign is that we have not seen an increase as our death totals are comparable to historical years. We will continue to share our data on suspected accidental drowning deaths with partners in the hopes that we can bring those numbers down.”

The URT also has seen a steady increase of new Canadians or foreign nationals that have passed away in B.C.’s waters.

The URT would like to remind people that the water in British Columbia can be cold, and many creeks and rivers have strong currents, which is why it is important to always research and plan ahead, let someone know where you are going, and bring necessary equipment to navigate B.C. waters.

Some helpful reminders to help you stay safe this summer:

Always swim with a buddy. And play and swim in areas supervised by a lifeguard.
Don’t leave children unsupervised. Drowning can occur in as little as 10 seconds.
If you can’t swim, wear a lifejacket or personal floatation device at all times.
Stay alert. Observe the conditions closely before you step out onto the shoreline and keep an eye on incoming waves.

For more safety tips please visit the Lifesaving Society of BC.

by Pete McIntyre

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