Are new Canadians at higher risk for drowning?
A study commissioned by the Lifesaving Society has found that despite plans by 79 per cent of new Canadians to be in and around water this summer, they are at a higher risk for drowning when boating and swimming.
On Thursday, July 15, the Lifesaving Society will release initial findings from a study commissioned to explore the influence of ethnicity on attitudes and behaviours surrounding water safety. The findings are being released to coincide with the start of National Drowning Prevention Week, July 17-24.
Several issues around water safety were investigated, including:
- Likelihood of participation in swimming and other water activities
- Correlation between the length of time a person is settled in Canada
and their knowledge, attitudes and experiences around water safety
- Effectiveness of certain water safety education programming and
programs including in-language materials as a way of reaching out to
groups of new Canadians
The Lifesaving Society will also release the latest Drowning Report statistics and provide its perspective on the best methods to prevent drowning deaths.