Drowning Research & Prevention in

Canada2011 WSIT/MIT Workshop

Drowning is the fourth-most

common cause of death by

unintentional injury in

Canada.

Drowning is a common cause of death by

unintentional injury.

Annual Drowning Research

That Was Then…

Boaters not wearing or improperly

wearing a PFD/lifejacket1997 – 70%1998 – 73%

.

What Red Cross thought it knew ...

What Red Cross has learned...

Worn Properly

Recreational Boating Drownings 1991-1995

What Red Cross has learned...

Recreational Boating Drownings 1996-2000

Worn Properly

Trend Reports

Trend Reports

Found on the Red Cross Website: www.redcross.ca/How We Help >

Swimming & Water Safety > Drowning Research

Trends Reports- Canadian Red Cross

Haddon Matrix Model

Personal Equipment EnvironmentPrepare

Stay Safe

Survive

Overview, Module 1

Personal Factors: Who is at risk?

Overview, Module 1

Overview, Module 1Toddlers,

Overview, Module 1

Overview, Module 1

Teens,

Overview, Module 1

and Adult Males

Overview, Module 1

Rates vs. Numbers

Overview, Module 1

Rates vs. Numbers

Overview, Module 1

Rates vs. Numbers

Water-related injuries other than drownings

24 23 40 31 50 49 41 35 32 40

Land & air transport drownings 68 96 122 100 83 91 81 94 66 63

Drownings, all other 557 492 499 497 502 483 445 423 405 369

2.322.15

2.102.16

2.302.16

1.811.65

1.54

1.89

Overview, Module 1

Environment:Where are they at risk?Environmental Factors

Overview, Module 1Drownings by Region & Type of Body of Water,

Canada 1991-2000 (n=4671)

Overview, Module 1Drownings by Region & Type of Body of Water,

Canada 1991-2000 (n=4671)

Overview, Module 1Drownings by Region & Type of Body of Water,

Canada 1991-2000 (n=4671)

Overview, Module 1Drownings by Region & Type of Body of Water,

Canada 1991-2000 (n=4671)

Overview, Module 1Rate & Number Toddler* Drowning by Body of Water

Canada 1991-2000

Overview, Module 1

That was Then.. This is Now…

That was Then.. This is Now…

Ice & Cold Water, Module 2

Ice & Cold Water, Module 2

Priorities for PreventionKey Activities; Boating, 38%

Ice & Cold Water, Module 2

Priorities for PreventionKey Activities; Activities on Ice, 22%

Ice & Cold Water, Module 2

Priorities for PreventionKey Activities; Falls into water, 14%

Ice & Cold Water, Module 2

Key Messages• Prepare for cold water survival

• Swim to the shore wearing a PFD/lifejacket

Ice & Cold Water, Module 2

Snowmobiling

• Carry self rescue equipment• Wear flotation gear• Hypothermia gear

Boating and Power Boats, Module 3

62%

Boating and Power Boats, Module 3Priorities for Prevention

• Powered boating 62% of boating fatalities• Peak age, males 25-74 years Powerboat

N=1,120

Unpowered boat(n=683)

62%38%

Boating and Power Boats, Module 3

Personal BehaviorAlcohol consumption

Boating and Power Boats, Module 3

Environmental ConditionsBoaters need to understand the value of

preparing for a safe trip

Boating and Power Boats, Module 3

EquipmentWear safety equipment during boating

Unpowered Boating, Module 4

Unpowered Boating, Module 4

Priorities for Prevention

• Canoeing• Males 15-24 years of age

Unpowered Boating, Module 4

Key Messages• Personal Behavior

– Alcohol consumption, overestimation of skill level.

• Environmental Conditions– Knowledge of the location- weather, rapids, cold water

• Equipment– Wear safety equipment during boating

Fishing, Module 5

Priorities for Prevention• Fishing is the # 1activity in drownings in Canada;

• Recreational fishing accounted for 77% of the

fishing immersion deaths

• Of fishing deaths, 84% related to fishing from a

boat

Fishing, Module 5

• Personal – Alcohol in at least 34% of cases– 58% were weak or non-

swimmers– 83% were experienced boaters

• Equipment – 11% were wearing flotation

devices properly

Fishing, Module 5Fishing Immersion Deaths* During Boating by Risk Factors Canada 1991-2000 (n=738)

Rough water

Strong winds

Standing up in boat +

Overloaded boat

Engine Failure

Urinating

Abrupt turn

•Includes drowning and immersion hypothermia deaths, excludes other non-drowning fatalities + Other than to urinate•Source: The Canadian Red Cross & the Canadian Surveillance System for Water-Related Fatalities, 2009

Fishing, Module 5

Key Messages

Know the RisksWear the PFD/Lifejacket

….no one wakes up expecting to drown today.

What you’ll find in the program:

PFD’s & Lifejackets • When & where to wear a PFD/Lifejacket

• Types of flotation Devices

• Selecting the Right PFD/Lifejacket

• How to put on your PFD/Lifejacket

• When to wear a PFD/Lifejacket

What you’ll find in the program:

Cold Water Survival– How to stay warm– Survive! Falling into cold water with a PFD

• Cold water, HELP/Huddle– Prepare of Ice Activities

• Making sure the ice is safe– Hypothermia– Ice Rescue

What you’ll find in the program:

Prepare For Boating Safety– Appropriate Clothing– Float Plan

Stay Safe While Boating– Boating Capacity– Entering, Exiting, and Moving in a Boat

What you’ll find in the program:

• Survive a Capsize

• Causes of Boating Incidents

• Alcohol and Boating

• Introduction to Boating regulations

Observations

Knowing how people drown is the first step in prevention and program development

A combination of preventative measures could save several thousand lives over a

decade

Partnerships

• Coroner Service• Media• Law Enforcement• Injury Prevention Associations

The Future

• Review of Historical Numbers

• Matching Equipment Innovations to Incidents

• Reaching the public

Public Education

• Duck poster

Louise Bishoff Master Instructor Trainer

Canadian Red Cross

Clara ReinhardtSpecial Projects

Canadian Red Cross