(July 2006, St. John’s) – July 16th marks the start of National Drowning Prevention Week in Canada. According to the Lifesaving Society, drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional death for Canadians under the age of 60. The majority of deaths caused by drowning are preventable.

While out enjoying water activities this summer, the Lifesaving Society urges all Canadians to please remember the following precautions: always wear a lifejacket while in or near water, keep children within arms reach when near or in the water, do not consume alcohol while boating, and learn lifesaving skills.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\

Swim to Survive – National Drowning Prevention Week

St. John’s (NL) – National Drowning Prevention Week begins Sunday, July 16^th and the Lifesaving Society urges Canadians to ensure their safety and the safety of others on, in, or near the water, is top of mind.

Drowning remains the third leading cause of accidental death among Canadians under 60 years of age. Boating activities represent more than 30% of all drowning deaths. In fact, more than 60% of all drowning deaths in Canada occur during recreational activities such as swimming, fishing, or boating.

Based on five year trend data, alcohol is a factor in 42% of Canada wide drowning deaths and men are four times as likely as women to be a victim of drowning.

As part of its summer Water Smart Campaign the Lifesaving Society is challenging all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to Swim to Survive. Starting July 16 - July 23 (National Drowning Prevention Week) and running through to September 4, 2006, the Lifesaving Society’s Swim to Survive Challenge asks, “Can you pass the Lifesaving Society’s Swim to Survive Standard?”

Meeting the “Swim to Survive Standard” is an important first step to being safe around water. This standard defines the minimum swimming skills needed to survive an unexpected fall into deep water. Contact your local facility for details.

Take a lifesaving course and learn how to reduce the risk of drowning, as well as what to do if something does go wrong. At a minimum, make sure everyone in your family can achieve the Canadian Swim to Survive® standard.

Always closely supervise children; keep them within arms reach and, whenever possible, chose to swim in an area supervised by a lifeguard.

The Lifesaving Society trains more than 500,000 Canadians each year in swim, lifesaving lifeguarding and leadership courses. Please visit us online at www.lifesaving.ca.

Drowning

· Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional death for Canadians under 60 years of age.

· At the time of drowning, more than 53% of victims were engaged in recreational activities.

· Of these activities, the most common were walking near water/on ice (28%), snowmobiling (28%), and powerboating and swimming (14%).

· Over half of all drownings in Newfoundland and Labrador occur during the late summer to winter period (August to December).

· Alcohol was involved in 57% of drowning victims and in 66% of ice-related drownings.

Canadian Swim to Survive Standard

Swim to Survive is a Lifesaving Society survival training program. The Society defines the minimum skills needed by all Canadians to survive an unexpected fall into deep water. These are expressed in a skill sequence in the Canadian Swim to Survive Standard:

Roll into deep water → Tread water for one minute → Swim 50 meters

Swim to Survive is aimed primarily at children, but people of all ages should be able to perform the Society’s Swim to Survive Standard.

Meeting the “Swim to Survive Standard” is an important first step to being safe around water. This standard defines the minimum swimming skills needed to survive an unexpected fall into deep water.

Contact your local aquatic facilty and see if you can meet the "Swim to Survive Standard" !

The Lifesaving Society

· Our National Lifeguard Service certification is the only standard for professional lifeguards in Canada.

· The Society certifies nearly to 500,000 Canadians annually in swim, lifesaving, lifeguarding and leadership training.

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The Lifesaving Society works to prevent drownings and water-related injuries through its training programs, drowning research, Water Smart® public education and aquatic safety management services.

The Lifesaving Society is a volunteer-based, national nonprofit organization, composed of tens of thousands of individual members and over 2,000 affiliated aquatic facilities, municipalities, waterfronts and schools. Established in England in 1891 as The Swimmers' Life Saving Society, we became the Royal Life Saving Society in 1904. Today, we are the Lifesaving Society.

The Society certifies close to 500,000 Canadians annually in swim, lifesaving, lifeguarding and leadership training. The Canadian Swim to Survive® standard outlines the basic swimming skills every Canadian should have. The Junior Lifeguard Club, the Canadian Swim Patrol program and the family of Bronze awards offer young people a challenging progression in lifesaving training.

Our National Lifeguard Service certification is the only standard for professional lifeguards in Canada. Our leadership training prepares candidates to teach others swimming and rescue skills and continue to promote drowning prevention.

The Lifesaving Society works with a number of partners to collect information on unintentional water-related deaths in Canada. Each year, we publish The National Drowning Report and provincial drowning reports. Our annual drowning research focuses our Water Smart® public education efforts towards those people who are most at risk of drowning and toward those who can make a significant difference in drowning prevention.

The Society establishes aquatic safety standards and provides consultation on safety issues to the aquatic industry, the insurance industry and all levels of government. We also perform aquatic safety audits and serve as expert witnesses in legal cases involving aquatic safety.

The Lifesaving Society is

Canada

’s sole representative on the International Life Saving Federation and the Royal Life Saving Society. Our international connections provide Canadians the best expertise the world has to offer.

For years the messages about wearing your Personal Floatation Device or PFD have been delivered by the boating safety community. “Boat Safe, Boat Smart – Wear It” and “It’s Your Life….Preserve It” are familiar to all of us who enjoy time on the water. So why do we continue to ignore the message, putting ourselves, our loved ones and friends at risk?

Across

Canada

, 89 percent of recreational boaters who drown each and every year were not wearing a lifejacket or PFD. Most of these drownings occur in small open power boats, accounting for 60 percent of these preventable deaths. A majority of these victims were males between the ages of 19 and 35, out for a day of fishing. An average of 140 unnecessary drownings occur every year, but even more startling is the fact that this figure is estimated to be 43 percent below the estimated actual figure due to misclassification of drowning information when the statistics were compiled.

Many boaters who drown believed they are good swimmers, so having a PFD on board and within easy reach might seem good enough. But what good is a PFD that is stored under a seat or under the bow going to be when the unexpected happens? Most drownings happen when small boats capsize or someone falls overboard. The PFD that you leave behind is not much use, especially in cold water.

In Canada, many boaters like to extend their boating season as long as they can so the water temperatures at the beginning and end of season can be very chilly. There are also parts of this country where water temperatures remain cold all year around. We’ve all heard about hypothermia which can lead to many problems such as disorientation and rapid incapacitation, but the real shocker is found in the new research on sudden cold water immersion.

Death from sudden cold water immersion happens very, very quickly. Research by Dr. Michael Tipton, a leading expert in cold water immersion has shown that the “gasp reflex” from sudden immersion has led to more deaths than previously known. The reaction causes a sudden uncontrollable gasp, followed by 1-3 minutes of hyperventilation. The initial gasp can cause you to inhale up to 2 litres of water, causing drowning. This volume of water will cause an individual not wearing a PFD to sink and not re-appear. If the first gasp of water is not fatal, hyperventilation will lead to the rapid onset of severe hypothermia and death.

So if the “gasp reflex” doesn’t get you initially, you still face the effects of hypothermia. In cold water your extremities will quickly numb making it very difficult to swim or to don a lifejacket in the water and rescue yourself. The onset of the second set of symptoms leading to death by hypothermia can occur even if we end up in water as warm as 60 degrees. Being in cold water for an extended period of time can result in severe hypothermia, which causes your body to begin shutting down, resulting in death from cardiovascular failure.

So the message is clear. Having your PFD on before you end up in the water will greatly increase your chance of survival. But most boaters don’t. The common reasons stated for not wearing a PFD are: “they’re uncomfortable;” and “it’s not fashionable.” Well that doesn’t fly anymore. Things have changed and there is a new generation of PFDs and Inflatable PFDs that are much more comfortable than the old standard lifejackets, which puts these objections to rest.

In Canada there are three common types of approved flotation devices for use by recreational boaters: Lifejackets, Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) and Inflatable PFDs.

Lifejackets when worn properly will turn the user over face up, due to the use of frontal flotation and collars. All approved lifejackets are available in youth and adult sizes and must be red orange or yellow.

Approved PFDs are lightweight, comfortable and available in a wide range of styles and colours, designed for the type of boating you do and conditions you face. There are PFDs for paddling, sailing, fishing and high impact PFDs for water sports and personal water craft. Whatever your activity, there is a PFD suited for it.

The most comfortable lightweight approved PFD or lifejacket you can wear is one of the new Inflatable PFDs, available in vest or pouch styles. Both of these types are manual Inflation PFDs, but a few models are available with automatic inflation which instantly inflates the PFD when you hit the water. The pouch style requires the wearer to be conscious and to place the inflated vest over their head to be fully functional. To meet Canadian Small Vessel Regulations, inflatable PFDs must be worn at all times when aboard and underway and may not be worn by person under the age of 16, or weighing less than 36.3 kilograms.

When choosing a lifejacket of PFD follow these simple guidelines. Choose one that is suitable for the activity you are involved in and check the label to make sure that it is Canadian approved and is of the correct size. And lastly, make sure it fits snuggly and is comfortable.

So there you have it. No more excuses for not having the right lifejacket or PFD……. and no more excuses for not wearing it. Boat Safe – Return Safe. Enjoy your time on the water and “have many happy returns.”

April 2006 - If you are enrolled in Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, National Lifeguard Service Award (NLS) or Aquatic Emergency Care (AEC) this summer, you are on your way to earning 2 credits for physical education for high school graduation This full range of courses, as listed must be completed to be eligible. Courses do not have to be current and do not have to be completed in one year. Individuals who want to claim credits simply complete the appropriate form, available from their school or the Society, request certification confirmation from the Lifesaving Society, and the Society will submit the form to the Department of Education.

Course content provides strong elements of physical fitness, leadership and vocational skills as well as lifesaving skills of rescue and aquatic first aid. Courses are aimed at the junior high and high school levels, with some participants completing Bronze Star, the entry level course, at age 10 or 11, dependent on their skill and maturity levels. For years physical education has not been a component of high school education but in September 2005, every student entering high school will be required to complete two credits in physical education. Lifesaving and lifeguarding courses are now an option to individuals who are interested.

Aquatic facilities across the province offer these programs and others which make up the programming packages from the Lifesaving Society. We encourage individuals to contact their local pool for course registration details or more information. Or visit the Society’s website at http://lifesaving.nfld.net/default.html

The Lifesaving Society is

Canada

’s lifeguarding expert. The Society works to prevent drowning and water-related injury through its training programs, Water Smart^® public education campaign and aquatic safety management services. Each year, the Society certifies approximately 200,000 people in its lifesaving, lifeguarding and leadership courses.

St. John’s, NL: August 17, 2005 The Lifesaving Society’s annual Drowning Report published today, shows a startling drop of 62% in drowning deaths in Newfoundland and Labrador for 2003 (the most year for which statistics are available) Newfoundland and Labrador ranks 3^rd, as having one of the highest drowning rates in relation to the provinces population, averaging 1 drowning for every 4,624 people. In comparison to the Atlantic provinces, Newfoundland and Labrador has had the highest drowning rate for 6 out of the past 10 years.

While diminishing drowning deaths are good news, there are some trends in drowning victims that show there is still a water smart message to get out to individuals who recreate in, on or near water.

Males in the 35-49 age group still remain in the high –risk group, accounting for over 37% of drownings. This is still a decline of 40% in that age group from 4 years ago. Male drownings in the 50-64 age rage declined by 50% as well as the 65+ age group which decreased from 3 to 1 victim.

Boating continues to be the leading cause of water-related fatalities. This boosts stats up by 25% from the previous year. Alcohol involvement continues to play a role in almost 50% of boating victims.

Lack of PFD wear is another factor commonly associated with drowning in this province. Only 7% of all drowning victims were wearing a PFD, down from 25% the previous year. Often when PFDs are worn they are not worm correctly and prove ineffective as lifesaving tools.

The Lifesaving Society urges individuals to be Water Smart by learning lifesaving skills and swimming skills through Society programs.

Learn to swim.
Never dive into shallow water.
Don't go in the water alone.
Always supervise young children near water.
Play and swim in supervised areas.
Learn lifesaving skills.

Go further, take a Lifesaving Society program at your local pool or aquatic facility.

The Lifesaving Society of Canada’s “Swim to Survive” program setsthe minimum swimming standard for all children in Canada.

“Drowning rates in Canada could be reduced in half, if all children where taught to swim”, said Jeanette Jobson, Executive Director for the Lifesaving Society. “Most drownings are preventable and occur in unsupervised settings, which is why more Canadians need basic swimming skills to save themselves in an aquatic emergency. Year after year, the majority of people who drown have no intention of going into the water, immersion is sudden and unexpected. We can protect our children from this situation.”

The Lifesaving Society in Newfoundland and Labrador, believes there is more that can be done to prevent drowning deaths. “Our goal is to have every child in Canada be able to meet the Lifesaving Society’s Swim to Survive standard,” said Jobson. The Society’s new swimming program, Swim to Survive is simple, straightforward and focused on just the necessary skills required to survive an unexpected fall into water. “Swim to Survive can be learned by children as young as 5, as well as adults of any age,” said Jobson.

The program focuses on achieving a single skill sequence: roll into deep water, tread water for 1 minute and swim 50 metres. Any method that allows the learner to achieve the standard is acceptable – there is no “right” solution.

Far from a frill, basic swimming skill is a necessity in our water rich environment. The Society is concerned that many children are missing out in learning an essential life skill. Developed to make swimming lessons more accessible to all, Swim to Survive has been designed to be an affordable option for school boards and recreation departments to offer swimming lessons to their community.

There is a strong case to be made to make swimming lessons mandatory in school. Jobson points out that drowning deaths are down in

Australia

where swim classes are mandatory. Canada’s public health minister, Dr. Carolyn Bennett agrees. She is quoted in a Toronto Star article on July 18th, as saying, “We’ve made such strides in this country, from seat belts and car seats to bicycle helmet legislation in many provinces,” said Bennett. “It is time we looked at swimming safety.” “I think every kid should know what to do when they fall into water,” added Bennett, a former lifeguard and medical advisor to the Lifesaving Society.

Saturday, July 23 marks this year’s National Drowning Prevention Day and as part of its summer Water Smart Campaign the Lifesaving Society is introducing the Swim to Survive program to aquatic facilities across the province. This program is already growing across Canada as part of the Society’s Swim for Life initiative.

More information can be obtained by contacting the Lifesaving Society at 709-576-1953 or email lifeguard@nl.rogers.com Complete information on the Swim to Survive program can be found on the Society’s website http://lifesaving.nfld.net

1. Roll into deep water: The deep water roll teaches the learner to orient themselves at the surface after an unexpected fall.

2. Tread water for 1 minute: Canadian waters are generally cold enough year round to trigger a gasping reflex on unexpected immersion. Treading water teaches how to support oneself at the surface and protect the airway.

3. Swim 50 metres: Lifesaving Society research shows that most drownings occur within 3 to 15 meters of safety. Because the ability of the learner may be impaired by cold water, clothing etc., there is a 50- meter standard to compensate.

The Lifesaving Society is an internationally recognized standard setter for drowning prevention and aquatic safety. As Canada’s Lifeguarding Expert, the Society is a National, volunteer-based charitable organization working to prevent drowning and water-related injury through its training programs, drowning research, Water Smart® public education and aquatic safety management services. The Society believes every Canadian needs to know how to swim and has established the Canadian Swim to Survive Standard and a national swim program standard for Canadians of all ages and ability. The Lifesaving Society’s programs and services address all three dimensions of drowning prevention education:

Saturday July 23^rd, marks National Drowning Prevention Day (NDPD) in

Canada

. NDPD is held annually on the fourth Saturday of July. The event increases awareness, across

Canada

, of the need for drowning prevention. It also aims to promote awareness of the Society’s public advocacy role; to reinforce the identity of the Lifesaving Society as experts in the field of drowning prevention; and to promote the Society’s objectives. Branches throughout the country participate in varying ways to promote National Drowning Prevention Day.

Newfoundland and Labrador have designated the week leading up to National Drowning Prevention Day - July 17- 23 - as Drowning Prevention Week, with displays being held at aquatic facilities province-wide to help promote drowning prevention.

Most drowning victims never intended to get wet. Capsizing and falling overboard from a boat accounted for 42% of drowning deaths. Alcohol involvement remains a contributing factor with nearly 27% of victims. Lack of lifejacket or PFD also is a concern with 42% of victims not wearing a floatation device or not having one present in a vessel. 100% of drowning deaths occurred in situations where there was no lifeguard supervision. 81% of drownings occurred in rural areas of the province.

While out enjoying water activities this summer, the Lifesaving Society urges all Canadians to please remember the following precautions:

KAMLOOPS, B.C. (May 7, 2005) – The Lifesaving Society believes the wearing of lifejackets and personal flotation devices (PFDs) should be mandatory for operators and passengers of all types of recreational watercraft.

Members of the Society from across the country endorsed this position Saturday at the Annual General Meeting in Kamloops.

The meeting was addressed by Carolyn Bennett, Minister of State for Public Health. “I am extremely appreciative of the Society’s work and its campaign to make pleasure boating safer this summer,” the minister said.

The Lifesaving Society advocates mandatory use of functional lifejackets/PFDs on all types of watercraft less than 5.5 metres without a cabin.

The wearing of lifejackets/PFDs should be mandatory while passengers are on deck and while the vessel is underway.

The majority of people who drown have no intention of going into the water. Immersion is sudden and unexpected.

The Society’s position joins the Canadian Safe Boating Council in demanding mandatory use of lifejackets/PFDs following a 2003 study on boating mishaps.

The Lifesaving Society and the CSBC will work together to build stakeholder consensus and advocacy for all necessary legislation to make lifejackets/PFDs necessary.

Drowning is still a leading cause of preventable death in Canada with over 400 victims every year, surpassed only by motor vehicle crashes and poisoning.

Rick Haga
Lifesaving Society
National Executive Director
(613) 746-5694
www.lifesaving.ca

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September 2, 2004

DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE...YOUR BOAT

When they’re out boating, people face a few natural risks – wind, waves and navigational hazards. But the biggest hazard is the one the boater can control says the Lifesaving Society. It’s drinking while boating.

Most people who die in boating accidents fall out of boats or capsize boats and end up in the water. Once in the water, even good swimmers lose coordination and can drown.

Alcohol affects a person’s balance. A moment of dizziness or a misstep may not cause harm on the patio or in a restaurant, but it can spell disaster on a boat.

A small boat is unstable in the best of conditions. Entering or leaving it or moving around in it is hazardous even for sober, agile person. People seldom notice problems with their balancing ability after a drink or two, but a small, tippy boat does.

If that’s no enough warning, you should know that impaired boating is just as serious as impaired driving, and subject to punishment of imprisonment or fines. Remember, you could lose your driver’s license.

Make this Labour Day weekend a safe one. Be Water Smart^®.

Think About It. Don’t Drink and Drive Your Boat.

The Lifesaving Society is Canada’s lifeguarding expert. The Society works to prevent drowning and water-related injury through its training programs, Water Smart^® public education campaign and aquatic safety management services. Each year in Newfoundland and Labrador, the Society certifies 2,000 people in its lifesaving, lifeguarding and leadership courses.

Contact: Jeanette Jobson, Executive Director

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February 10, 2004

Contact: Jeanette Jobson, Executive Director

REPORT SHOWS IMMERSION ACCOUNTS FOR ALL
ICE RELATED SNOWMOBILE FATALITIES

St. John’s, NL - In the Lifesaving Society’s annual report on snowmobile drownings indicate that in a five year period from 1997, 2001, fifteen people died in water-related snowmobile incidents in this province, with all of the incidents being immersion. Snowmobilers either drowned or succumbed to hypothermia after driving into open water or falling through thin ice on their machines. 40% of snowmobiling immersion fatalities occurred when the victim was riding alone

And the trend seems to continue with the latest news of individuals ending up disoriented and in the water after becoming lost in a snowstorm while on sea ice. They were lucky. Many aren’t.

A recent report for snowmobiling fatalities found that ice-related "immersion" incidents account for a high portion of all snowmobiling deaths in this province. Between 1988 and 1992, more than half (55%) of all snowmobiling deaths were due to drowning and/or hypothermia³. By comparison, a recent study in Ontario found that drowning and hypothermia accounted for 33% of all Ontario snowmobiling fatalities

Be SledSmart and Avoid Ice-Related Snowmobiling Risk Factors

1. Always Ride Sober. Don't drink and drive your snowmobile.
Alcohol beverage consumption, along with riding after dark are the leading factors contributing to ice-related snowmobiling deaths.

2. Ride in Daylight.
If driving after dark, drive with extreme caution, proper lights and stay off ice.

3. Don't ride on ice when your visibility is impaired.
Ride at slow enough speeds so that you have time to react to surprises. Don't ride after dark, in blowing snow or heavy rain, and guard against snow blindness with UV-protective sunglasses.

4. Wear a Buoyant Snowmobile Suit.
This will combat submersion and help protect against the numbing effects of hypothermia.

5. Always Ride With a Buddy.

For more information, contact the Lifesaving Society at 709-576-1953.

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Lifesaving Society Recognizes Local Heroes at Government House

On Wednesday, February 11, 2004 The Royal Life Saving Society, Newfoundland and Labrador Branch will recognize eleven Newfoundland and Labrador Heroes with Rescue Honours. Each of the recipients was involved in the rescue or rescue attempt of someone who was drowning.

As a Royal Society, Her Majesty The Queen is the Patron of the Royal Life Saving Society Canada. In Newfoundland and Labrador , the Lieutenant Governor, as the Queen’s representative, is the Patron of the Branch.

The MG Griffiths Certificate will be presented to:

Mr John Dyke
The MG Griffiths Certificate is the second highest National Bravery Award presented by the Royal Life Saving Society. Recipients must have demonstrated exceptional skill, personal risk, and a high degree of bravery and courage.

While acting as skipper on a 420 cadet sailing craft on Jean Lake Wabush, Labrador, Petty Office 2nd Class John Dyke’s boat capsized. The two cadets were thrown into the water, with one being trapped underneath the capsized boat by a hiking strap. John made sure the visible cadet was safe, then proceeded to check under the boat for the second cadet. She was found there tangled in the hiking strap which was wrapped around her neck and had her pinned to the boat. She was panicking and hyperventilating. John removed the strap from around her neck and calmed her, then removed her from the water and proceeded to shore.

Mr Mark Hurley
Mark watched from shore as his 78 year old grandfather’s small aluminum boat overturned 350 feet from shore in Crocker’s Cove. Mr Merrigan was weighed down by rubber boots and tangled in rope from the boat. Mark immediately swam out to the man, untangled him then towed him back to shore, reassuring him. Once to shore, two other men helped pull him from the water and find medical assistance.

Rescue Commendations Awards will be presented to:

James Rideout, Heart’s Content – rescued a man who had been hit by his boat after he had fallen out of it.

Davis Smith, Heart’s Content – after his grandfather fell overboard and was hit by the boat, 9 year old cut the engine then sculled the boat towards the man to enable him to stay afloat

Carl Oliver, Heart’s Content – helped rescue a man who had been hit by his boat after he had fallen out of it

Derek Rideout, Heart’s Content - helped rescue a man who had been hit by his boat after he had fallen out of it

Garland Winsor, Kilbride – in 1949 at the age of 15, rescued a disabled man who had been thrown from his boat when it capsized in the water. Again in 1958, Mr Winsor rescued a passenger boat captain who had fallen into the harbour and was panicking.
Again in

William Kenny, Avondale – rescued his son and brother in law after an iceberg broke apart onto their boat

Kevin Rose, Brigus - in 1967 jumped into the water by Job’s Bridge in St. John’s to rescue a 10 year old girl who had fallen in and was unable to swim.

Duncan Osmond, Kilbride – dived into frigid water after his friend whose snowmobile had gone through the ice near Deer Lake. Duncan was a passenger on the snowmobile and was thrown from the machine before it submerged.

Lillian Molloy – Portugal Cove South – in 1952 entered frigid waters to rescue three small children who had fallen through the ice in Drook on the Southern Shore.

In addition to the Rescue Awards the Lifesaving Society will also present Commonwealth Service Awards to Royal Life Saving Society volunteers and three Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medals.

The awards presentation will begin at 3:30 pm. Award recipients will be available for interviews 4:15. Members of the media wishing to attend the awards presentation should arrive at Government House by 3:15pm.

The LIFESAVING SOCIETY is Canada’s Lifeguarding Expert. The Society is a national charitable organization working to prevent drowning and water related injury through it’s training programs, Water Smart® public education campaign and aquatic safety management services. Last year in Newfoundland and Labrador, the Society certified over 2,000 people in its lifesaving, lifeguarding and leadership courses.

For full details on award recipients, click here.

For more information, contact Jeanette Jobson, Executive Director at 709-576-1953

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ALCOHOL AND ICE DON'T MIX IN THIS PROVINCE

Contact: Jeanette Jobson, Executive Director
Phone: (709) 576-1953

St. John's, NL: December 2, 2002
A special report released today by the Lifesaving Society, in partnership with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, indicates that alcohol is involved in 53% of water-related snowmobiling fatalities in Newfoundland and Labrador - higher than the Canadian average of 50%.

Statistics over the past 5 years indicate unstable ice conditions as another risk factors, with 59% of ice-related drownings taking place on the ocean. Eighty-eight percent of snowmobiling fatalities occurred during the hours of darkness, showing that lack of visibility plays a key role in risk. Machines going through thin ice accounted for 60% of snowmobiling drownings, with 40% driving into open holes in the ice surface.
Flotation wasn't worn by 44% of snowmobilers who died while travelling over ice-covered bodies of water.

The Lifesaving Society and the RCMP have been active in offering practical solutions to individuals who do travel over ice, through the Society's Sledsmart water safety program. This public education program is offered at no cost, in an effort to reduce the numbers of water-related drownings within Newfoundland and Labrador.

When it comes to ice travel, both organizations stress that no ice surface is ever 100% safe, so stay off, or prepare to go through.

For more information, or to request a Sledsmart presentation for your group, please contact the Lifesaving Society or your local RCMP detachment.

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PARTNERS IN WATER SAFETY

$145,200 NIF grant received for water safety resource initiative

St. John's, NF, August 22, 2002: The Newfoundland and Labrador Branch of the Lifesaving Society, Canadian Red Cross and the Office of Boating Safety have formed a partnership in a project that will enable organizations and individuals involved in water safety training to access the most current audio, visual and written material on this subject, not just in this province, but across Canada.

The Lifesaving Society was successful in obtaining a $145,200 grant from the Search & Rescue Secretariat's New Initiative Fund, to enable research to begin into documenting water safety training and public education programs used by the three top water safety organizations in Canada

In addition to core materials used in nationally based programs, most regions, branches or divisions of the organizations also produce their own regionally recognized water safety resources. The purpose of the project is to catalogue these resources into a single document and make it available to any organization who needs it, thus eliminating the duplication of resources.

Travis Kelloway has been awarded the project contract and is currently developing the research and design elements of the facilitator's guide. The final document will be released in Spring 2003 and be available from any of the three partner organizations across Canada.

The Lifesaving Society is a national charitable organization dedicated to preventing drownings and water-related incidents through program and public education training. The Canadian Red Cross help people deal with situations that threaten their survival and safety; their security and well-being; their human dignity; in Canada and around the world. As part of the Canadian Coast Guard, the Office of Boating Safety is responsible for the regulatory, enforcement and technical services that apply to recreational vessels. The Office of Boating Safety actively promotes boating safety through its prevention programs.

The New Search and Rescue Initiatives Fund (NIF) was established to provide funding for projects that will improve search and rescue in Canada. Over $8 million is allocated annually to approximately 100 projects.

The National Search and Rescue Secretariat was established in 1986, following the Ocean Ranger oil rig disaster. The Secretariat promotes an efficient, effective and economical National Search and Rescue Program by coordinating central activities on behalf of those agencies providing search and rescue services to people in distress throughout Canada's areas of jurisdiction.

For details, contact Jeanette Jobson, Executive Director

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The Numbers are In.

Lifesaving Society's 2002 Drowning Report shows 44% increase in drownings for the province in 2000.

St. John's, NF July 25, 2002: Statistics released by the Lifesaving Society in it's 2002 Drowning Report show that males in the 35-49 year old age range made up nearly 41% of the total number of the 23 drownings in Newfoundland and Labrador during 2000 (the most recent year for which full statistics were available). The previous year had only one victim in this age range, compared to nine for 2000.

Recreational activities continue to be a predominant source of water-related deaths at 48%, with boating and snowmobiling incidents claiming the most lives. 2000 statistics show that deaths involving boating represented 57% of the total water-related deaths for that year, with 69% of boating incidents involving boats over 5.5 meters.

Alarmingly, PFDs or lifejackets were NOT worn in 65% of the victims who drowned. Alcohol consumption is still a contributing factor in 37% of all water-related deaths and 55% of recreational boating deaths in the past five years.

Saturday, July 27, 2002 is National Drowning Prevention Day. This is a Canada wide event, promoted by the Lifesaving Society to draw attention to water safety and encourage Canadians to change behaviour in, on and around the water. The Newfoundland and Labrador Branch of the Society, has provided businesses and aquatic facilities with information and Water Smart® education material for distribution to the public on this day.

The Lifesaving Society urges people who use small boats to make sure, before leaving shore, that everyone on board is wearing a lifejacket or personal floatation device (PFD). If boaters fall into the water, lifejackets keep them afloat while they tend to the urgent business of climbing back onto or into their boats, or keeping still in the water to forestall hypothermia until helps comes.

The Lifesaving Society is Canada's lifeguarding expert. The Society is a national, charitable organization working to prevent drowning and water-related injuries through lifeguard and lifesaving training, public education and research. Last year in Newfoundland and Labrador the Society certified 2,000 people in lifesaving and lifeguarding courses.
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Older, But Not Wiser

Stay Off, Or Prepare to Go Through!

Becoming Ice Smart™ and heeding ice safety tips is essential to increase your chances of arriving home alive after participating in any ice-related activity. Since ice is never 100% safe, always be cautious if you decide to venture onto ice. Knowing what the maximum safe load is for ice, according to its thickness, is just one of the many precautions to take to improve the likelihood of being safe on ice.

Ice Thickness

Ice fishing, walking, cross                                    4 inches
   country skiing
   One vehicle - snowmobile or ATV                      5 inches
   One vehicle - car or small pickup                8 - 12 inches
   One vehicle - medium truck                       12 - 15 inches

3 inches or less? STAY OFF!!!

Remember that these guidelines apply to new, clear ice under ideal conditions.

Ice, whether it is on ponds, lakes, rivers or the ocean is never completely safe to travel or play on. The majority of ice-related deaths are due to individuals falling through thin or soft ice, followed by falls through unseen open holes in the ice. Most ice-related incidents take place between the hours of 3pm and 5am and involve males in the 25-64 age range. Newfoundland and Labrador's ice-related fatality rate is one of the highest in Canada, with a high number of fatalities (52%) involving activities on ocean ice.

The facts about preventable ice-related immersion deaths in this province are cold and sobering. Based on yearly statistics, the Lifesaving Society's education and public relations programs continue to remind Newfoundlanders of ice safety, and advise staying off ice covered bodies of water altogether. However, if people do decide to venture onto the ice, they should be aware of ice formation and be prepared to fall through. This will increase the chances of surviving an ice-related incident.

Contact: Jeanette Jobson, Executive Director

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Do you have any suggestions for the Newfoundland and Labrador Lifesaving Society?

Contact lifeguard@nl.rogers.com with all your questions, comments or suggestions.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\

Swim to Survive – National Drowning Prevention Week

Drowning

Canadian Swim to Survive Standard

The Lifesaving Society

Lifesaving Society Recognizes Local Heroes at Government House

ALCOHOL AND ICE DON'T MIX IN THIS PROVINCE

PARTNERS IN WATER SAFETY

$145,200 NIF grant received for water safety resource initiative

The Numbers are In.

Lifesaving Society's 2002 Drowning Report shows 44% increase in drownings for the province in 2000.

Older, But Not Wiser

Stay Off, Or Prepare to Go Through!