It's recommended swimmers stay close to the shore and wear a lifejacket (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

WATER SAFETY

As temperatures heat up, City of Kamloops reminding people to keep smart on the water

Jul 27, 2022 | 2:12 PM

KAMLOOPS — With the temperatures climbing to 40°C this week, people are doing everything they can to stay cool, whether it’s settling into an air-conditioned space or chilling out in the water.

However, cooling off in the water comes with its risks and people are reminded to swim with caution, especially in the Thompson Rivers.

Kamloops Fire Rescue is out practicing water rescues on the river. The crew isn’t called out all that often to save people, but when they are needed, it’s critical personnel is trained up. In fact, this crew was called out on Wednesday morning to a kayaker who had flipped over.

“We had a kayaker on the water. I think he might have capsized close to the shore, but wasn’t the strongest swimmer and was having difficulty getting back to the shore. But he eventually he got there,” said KFR captain Joe McKinnon.

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KFR is warning anyone going into the Thompson Rivers to stay close to the shore with a dangerous current.

“It’s estimated to be about 150 swimming pools a minute flowing past the bridges at one time,” noted McKinnon. “Jumping off the bridges, or the train bridge, would be a really bad idea into this kind of water.”

The City of Kamloops recommends people swim at a supervised site, which only is available at the city’s three pools.

“We have lifeguards at our municipal pools. We have Canada Games Pool, we have Brock Pool, and we have Westsyde Pool. Swimming in a supervised pool is the safest way to go swimming by far,” said the city’s aquatics deck leader Andrew Smeaton.

According to the National Preliminary Drowning Report, there were 265 drowning deaths in both 2020 and 2021 — 86 per cent being male. The data notes 91 per cent of the tragedies happened in natural bodies of water like the Thompson Rivers.

A lot of the cases involved people not wearing a lifejacket. It’s one of the first recommendations made by any water safety expert.

“If you’re going to go swimming in the river, wear a lifejacket,” noted Smeaton. “Most drownings that occur in unsupervised areas are because people weren’t wearing a lifejacket.”

In a lot of drowning cases among adults, alcohol or drugs is involved. It’s advised, just like with any activity, not to mix alcohol with swimming or boating.

“Forty per cent of drownings include either alcohol or the consumption of drugs,” said Smeaton. “Keeping those activities separate from swimming can make sure everyone has a safe time, can cool off, and also still enjoy the rest of their summer.”

It will also keep Kamloops Fire Rescue off the water this summer saving people who get into trouble.