Alberta RCMP offers water safety tips for National Drowning Prevention Week

Jul 20, 2026 | 1:38 PM

It’s National Drowning Prevention Week July 19-25, and to mark the occasion, the Alberta RCMP has some tips for enjoying the water safely.

This year’s theme is “safety starts with being water smart.”

According to the Lifesaving Society, over 400 Canadians die annually in preventable water-related incidents.

The RCMP says you can reduce your risk of a water-related incident by following these safety tips:

Wear a lifejacket while boating, doing water sports and if you can’t swim.
Supervise children and non-swimmers by keeping them within arm’s reach when in and around bodies of water.
Stay sober around water. Never operate a boat or go swimming when tired or impaired.
Be aware of water conditions, such as strong currents. Rivers can have risks like moving water, undercurrents, changing depth and entrapment hazards.
Do not operate a boat or go swimming alone, and don’t overestimate your swimming abilities. Always have a spotter in the boat when towing someone during water sports.
Learn to swim: many drownings occur when a person unexpectedly falls into a body of water.
Never dive into shallow water. If you’re unsure of the water’s depth, enter feet first to protect your neck.
Consider high-visibility swimwear, as bright, high-contrast colours can be more easily seen in the water.

by Ashley Lavallee-Koenig