TISDALE — The Tisdale RECPlex Aquatic Centre staff are planning an activity every day this week to mark National Drowning Prevention Week.
National Drowning Prevention Week is held from July 17 to 22.
Tisdale RECPlex Pool Manager Baylee Cresswell said on Monday July 17 from 1:30pm-5:00pm will be a colouring contest and chalk. They will be running the contest all week with the winner being announced on Friday.
On Tuesday July 18 at 3 p.m. there will be pool wide game of safe or sorry. This will target children aged three to 10 but everyone is welcome to participate.
On Wednesday July 19 at 3 p.m the pool staff will have a fun game of fact or myth which will dispel the common myths about drowning. It's aimed at children aged 10 and over but everyone is welcome to participate.
On Thursday July 20 at 3 p.m. a game of a what to bring on a boat will be played. This game will help children learn about what is important to have on a boat and what is not. This is aimed at children aged 5+ but everyone is welcome to participate.
On Friday July 21 at 3 p.m. is swim with a buddy game. This will be a grass game to learn the importance of swimming with a buddy aimed at all ages.
The Saskatchewan Lifesaving Society has seven themes to emphasize during National Drowning Prevention Week:
- The Drowning Problem: Over 400 Canadians die in preventable water-related incidents annually. Even one drowning is one too many.
- Supervise Children: Always directly supervise children around the water - if you are not within arms’ reach, you’ve gone too far.
- Boating Safety: Choose it. Use it. Always wear a lifejacket when in a boat.
- Learn to Swim: In most drownings, the victim never intended to go in the water and was often close to safety – could you survive a sudden and unexpected fall into the water?
- Stay Sober In, On, and Around the Water: Alcohol consumption is a factor in many water related fatalities. Both alcohol and cannabis use impair balance, judgment, and reflexes. Stay sober when in, on or around the water.
- Open Water Safety: Make smart choices before going in, on or around the water.
- You can save a life: Yours, and someone else’s. Take a learn-to-swim, lifesaving or first aid class today.