‘I Got Caught Wearing My Life Jacket': Police advocating for safety in and around the water

As part of National Drowning Prevention Week, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and other police services are reminding people to be safe while in and around water – and to remember their lifejackets.

An undated photo of an Ontario Provincial Police vehicle towing a police marine vessel in northern Ont. (Supplied/Ontario Provincial Police)

Every year the Lifesaving Society designates the third week of July as National Drowning Prevention Week.

This year the campaign will run from July 21 - 27.

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In support of the campaign, the Almaguin Highlands OPP Marine Unit will be conducting an ‘I Got Caught Wearing My Life Jacket' event. The event focuses on promoting life jacket safety on the water and is a partnership between OPP, the Lifesaving Society and the Magnetawan Lions Club.

Canada's drowning rate is at its highest in mid-July, according to the Lifesaving Society.

The organization stresses that "drowning is preventable" and offers the following tips to stay safe:

• Always keep an eye on children around the water – this includes all open bodies of water, backyard pools and bathtubs. Anything outside of arms’ reach is too far away.
• Many fatal drownings occur when people are swimming alone, so always swim with someone else.
• Regardless of the water vessel and swimming abilities, don’t forget a lifejacket – choose it and use it. Lifejackets are lifesavers, but only if worn properly. Consider lifejackets for pets as well.
• Swimming in open water is different from swimming in a pool, so know the limits and check local conditions before going in. In open water, inflatables can go much farther than intended.
• Stay sober: Both alcohol and cannabis can impair balance, judgement and reflexes. Boating under the influence puts yourself and others at risk.

More information and educational resources on drowning prevention are available on the organization’s website.

“Please remember that a properly fitted life jacket, is not only designed to keep boaters and paddlers afloat, but also helps turn them onto their backs, enabling them to breathe if they are rendered unconscious,” said police, in a news release.

“If you're out on the water, have fun, be safe and wear your life jacket.”

The Greater Sudbury Police Service (GSPS) is also advising boaters to be safe – echoing the OPP and Lifesaving Society in a social media post on Sunday.

"Ensure children wear their life jackets/PFDs while boating," reads the GSPS post.

"Boat sober and check the weather forecast before venturing out."

In an email to CTV News OPP officials said that since 2022, the city has seen an increase in warnings issued and river rescues.

"For 21 of the 23 people who lost their lives in boating/paddling incidents in 2023, their vessel either capsized or they fell overboard,” said acting OPP Sgt. Phil Young, earlier this year.

“17 of those who died were not wearing a lifejacket. Surviving these types of incidents usually comes down to whether or not you choose to wear a lifejacket which, when properly worn, stays on task of keeping you afloat the entire time you are in the water."

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An undated photo of an Ontario Provincial Police Marine Program vessel on the water. (Supplied/Ontario Provincial Police)

The OPP Marine Program has a fleet of 152 vessels and 365 skilled marine officers committed to enforcing boating laws and the safety of Ontario boaters on 95 per cent of Ontario's lakes and rivers covering more than 110,000 square kilometres of water.