Caution urged during National Drowning Prevention Week following recent spike in preventable deaths

Riverside Park is the only designated river swimming area in Kamloops as the city has lifeguards stationed there between July 1 and mid-August, weather and smoke permitting. They’re there seven days a week between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to supervise the roped-off swimming area.

“Swimming at Riverside Park – yes, the current is there but it’s not as bad as other parts of the city and we have a lifeguard in place who is going to be able to watch over the little kids, adults and people who can’t swim, as well,” Cowen said.

“Drownings can happen so quickly with cold water shock, the gasp reflex, people chasing balls or frisbees into the water – things happen so quickly. You also have Sea-Doo accidents, boat accidents.”

There have already been 40 accidental drowning deaths across B.C. between May 1 and July 16 this year, a 54 per cent increase from the 26 deaths reported during the same period last year. That spike is concerning to the Life Saving Society of B.C. and Yukon.

“There is no one trend overall [for the increase] in British Columbia this year, but in many of the cases, we’ve seen people who are not wearing life jackets while on boats,” executive director Lenea Grace told CFJC Today. “That includes power boats, charter boats, paddle boards and canoes and kayaks.”

Grace says there is no question that wearing a life jacket is the best way to stay safe while on – or in – the water, no matter your age or how good of a swimmer you are.

“If you get into trouble, if you have a medical emergency, if weather conditions change – it won’t work if you’re not wearing one,” Grace said. “Choose one that is comfortable for you, that is approved by Transport Canada and make sure you’re wearing it.”

“Proper supervision of children is also really important because drownings can happen in seconds and it’s not like anything in the movies. Instead of somebody thrashing about and yelling, it’s often quick and it’s silent, so make sure you’re watching your kids and not your phone.”

Data released by the B.C. Coroners Service this week shows the majority of drowning deaths between 2015 and 2025 happened in either July (13.9) or August (12.4), with June (10.5) a close third.

Accidental Drowning Deaths by Month, 2015-2025 (Image Credit: BC Coroners Service)

Average Number of Accidental Drowning Deaths by Month, 2015-2025 (Image Credit: BC Coroners Service)

The data showed there were 36 such deaths reported between June and August last year, accounting for 39 per cent of all accidental drownings in 2025. Swimming (22 deaths), bathing (19 deaths) and unintentional falls into water (16 deaths) were listed as the most common causes.

“We have seen an unfortunate upward trend this summer when it comes to accidental drowning deaths,” Dr. Jatinder Baidwan, B.C.’s chief coroner said, in a statement. “It is our hope people will take a serious look at the data we are sharing and make smart choices when planning any water-related activity in the coming months.”

Provincial officials also say it’s important to be alcohol- and drug-free while on the water, as impairment was a factor in about 40 per cent of drowning deaths over the past decade.

“Anyone can drown, even people who can swim,” added Brian Twaites, paramedic public information officer at BC Emergency Health Services. “Alcohol and other recreational substances do not mix with water activities – intoxication significantly increases the risk of drowning.”

With more people expected to be drawn to the water to stay cool because of heat warnings in effect for Kamloops and across much of B.C. this week, officials are urging extra caution.

“Unfortunately, what we saw in Europe earlier this year with their heat wave was an increase in drowning deaths because people were so desperate to cool down,” Grace said.

“We do want people to cool off and it is great down by the river or the lake,” added Cowen. “We have three swimming pools [operated by] the City of Kamloops as well. Cooling off is very important, it’s just you have got to be safe about it.”

by Victor Kaisar

Caution urged during National Drowning Prevention Week following recent spike in preventable deaths

Our Community