By Adam Berls

to your health

To Your Health: Water Safety

Aug 1, 2023 | 11:00 AM

PRINCE GEORGE — Heading out on the water is a popular summertime activity, but it’s important to take the necessary precautions to stay safe. We learn more about water safety in this week’s To Your Health.

Whether you enjoy swimming, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding or any other activity that involves heading out on the water this summer, it is important to stay safe when you’re out on the water. With so much open water around us in B.C., it’s important to take precautions.

“One of the things that I really like to say is just because I can swim here doesn’t mean that I can swim there. What I’m referring to is just because you’re comfortable swimming in a swimming pool or in chest deep water or somewhere where you can grab an edge doesn’t mean that it’s going to be the same experience as when you swim in open water.” – Kimiko Hirakida, Livesaving Society of B.C. & Yukon

Swimming lessons are one tool you can have in your toolbox to help keep you safe when you’re in and around water.

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“I think a lot of people, when they think of swimming lessons, they think of it as being just for a little kids. That is not the case. Everybody, all ages, all cultures. Swimming is very important. It’s a life skill. Again, like not just in B.C., but Canada, why we are blessed with a lot of open water in our beautiful country. So there are lessons out there for adults, for parents, for grandparents, for new Canadians. I encourage everybody to learn how to swim, or at least learn how to be safe around the water.” – Kimiko Hirakida, Livesaving Society of B.C. & Yukon

Whenever you are on a watercraft, always wear a lifejacket or a personal flotation device, known as a PFD.

“One of the really big things that we need to remember is when we’re recreating around water on an inflatable, on a boat, on a paddleboard, on a kayak, we might think we’re just out for a really casual day. Water changes quickly, weather changes quickly. You would never get in your car and not click your seatbelt on as you start to drive away. So don’t get on a watercraft without clicking on your PFD or your life jacket.” – Kimiko Hirakida, Livesaving Society of B.C. & Yukon

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Twitter: @AdamBerls

Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com