A picture taken at Prince Albert's Kinsmen Water Park. (submitted photo)

By Nigel Maxwell

Safety first

Lifesaving Society encouraging swimmers and boaters to safety first

Jul 26, 2025 | 10:27 AM

Despite all the public awareness of the risks associated with not wearing a life jacket while boating, the CEO of the Lifesaving Society of Saskatchewan says there is in fact too much complacency.

This week has been proclaimed by the province as drowning prevention week. As per numbers provided by the coroner’s service, from 2013 to 2023, the province averaged 25 drowning deaths per year. There were two in 2024 and none so far this year.

Shelby Rushton noted there’s also been many, many near drownings which includes people in a drowning situation who suffered brain damage, pneumonia or some form of mental trauma.

“We’re just starting to collect those stats but I think it’s really important for people to understand so many people do get hospitalized every year from a near drowning,” she said.

(Saskatchewan Coroner’s Service)

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Acknowledging frustration with a high level of complacency, Rushby, who has nearly 30 years working in drowning prevention explained you cannot put your life jacket on while in the middle of falling overboard.

“Because our water is so cold in the lakes, once you hit that water you tend to take that gasp of air and then if you’re already under water, because you didn’t expect to go in, you can suck in that water and you are drowning yourself instantly,” she said.

A key safety initiative introduced in provincial parks is the Lifejacket Loaner Station program. Launched in 2016 in partnership with the Lifesaving Society, the program has continued to grow and now offers free lifejackets in a range of sizes, from infants to adults, at 24 stations throughout the province.

“Personal flotation devices (PFD) add a level of protection for swimmers and non-swimmers alike, whether they are worn in a boat or while swimming in open water,” Rushton said. “Donning a PFD from one of the loaner stations is an easy way to stay safe and an added bonus is that the PFDs are free to use; just put them back at the station once you are done.”

Other water safety tips recommended by the Lifesaving Society include:

• Always swim with a buddy.
• Always keep children within arm’s reach.
• Avoid alcohol while swimming or boating.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Blue Sky: @nigelmaxwell.bsky.social