All last week, lifeguards throughout Ontario promoted Drowning Prevention Week with a bold initiative to swim “500 metres for 500 lives.”
The lifeguards of Lion Roy Grant Community Pool in Mount Forest celebrated the national Week to End Drowning by participating in the swim, which is dedicated to the 500 Canadians who lose their lives each year by drowning. In all, over 400 lifeguards took to the water, and collected pledges to raise funds for the Lifesaving Society of Canada.
The work of a lifeguard is often viewed as a “fun in the sun” summer job, but all lifeguards share a high level of responsibility and the basic commitment to safeguard the lives of those in their care. They must be prepared to use emergency measures when required.
Unlike other rescue workers, lifeguards are usually present at the scene of an emergency before it occurs, and have more opportunity to intervene and prevent accidents. When called upon, lifeguards must react quickly and accurately to life-threatening emergencies.
This year, lifeguards from across the province are trying to raise awareness of the drowning issue, especially given the numerous drowning incidents in Ontario already this summer.
“It is important to educate the public about not only pools, but lakes, ponds and beaches as well,” said Mount Forest lifeguard Callee Rice, who joined her fellow guards last Friday in swimming the required 20 lengths of the pool.
Mount Forest’s lifeguards remind parents that when watching a child in any body of water, if you’re not within arms’ reach, you’ve gone too far. They encourage parents to invest in swimming lessons for their little ones, as the best prevention for drowning is developing strong swimming skills and confidence in and around the water.
The Lifesaving Society is Canada’s lifeguarding expert, and works to prevent drowning and water related injury through various training programs. The Sociaty certifies 700,000 Canadians annually in swimming, lifesaving, lifeguarding, first aid and leadership courses.