Did you know?
Drowning deaths in Canada are on the rise. The latest Canadian Drowning Report shows that the annual average climbed to 485 deaths (2017–2021), up from 444 in the preceding five years.
Who is drowning?
Males accounted for 78 per cent of drowning deaths, while females accounted for 22 per cent. As well, the following age groups make up the total percentage of fatal drownings in Canada:
- Age: 0-4 (4 per cent)
- Age: 5-14 (4 per cent)
- Age: 15-19 (5 per cent)
- Age: 20-34 (24 per cent)
- Age: 35-49 (19 per cent)
- Age: 50-64 (21 per cent)
- Age: 65+ (23 per cent)
When are people drowning?
While water-related deaths happen year-round, most occur during the warmest months. July consistently sees the highest number of drowning fatalities. In addition, 66 per cent of drowning deaths occurred between May and September. Saturday and Sunday saw the highest number of drowning fatalities.
Where are people drowning?
Most water-related deaths in Canada happen in natural settings like lakes, ponds, and rivers. Here’s a breakdown of the locations where these tragic incidents take place:
- Lakes/Ponds: 36 per cent
- Rivers: 27 per cent
- Bathtubs: 14 per cent
- Other Bodies of Water: 9 per cent
- Pools: 9 per cent
- Oceans: 5 per cent
What were people doing?
Throughout Canada, a large percentage of unintentional water-related fatalities occur during recreational and everyday activities, most commonly involving:
- Sailing
- Boating
- Kayaking
- Canoeing
- Powerboating
- Inflatable craft usage
- Land, ice or air travel
- Non-aquatic activities, such as falling into water
- Aquatic activities where the person intended to be in the water
Drowning risk factors: Boating vs. swimming
While both activities share common dangers like alcohol consumption and being alone, their primary risk factors differ significantly.
Boating primary risk: Not wearing a lifejacket or personal flotation device (PFD). Other risks: Cold water, alcohol consumption and being alone near the water.
Swimming primary risk: Being a weak or non-swimmer. Other risks: Alcohol consumption, swimming alone and pre-existing heart disease or sudden cardiac events.
Boating fatalities
Every year, statistics consistently show that most boating fatalities are due to capsizing or falling overboard, and in the vast majority of these cases, the individuals who drowned were not wearing a lifejacket or PFD!
Drowning in young children
The tragic reality of drownings in children points to several key factors:
- They were alone.
- They were with other minors only.
- They were alone and near the water.
- Supervision was present, but distracted.
- The child’s inability to swim proficiently (being a weak or non-swimmer).
- The absence of adequate supervision. (Supervisors of weak or non-swimmers must be able to swim)!
Research methodology
The drowning research process involved data collection, tabulation and analysis. Water-related death data were extracted from the offices of the Chief Coroners and Medical Examiners in each province/territory. As well, this research:
- Collected the data needed to profile victims of aquatic incidents, including circumstances and contributing factors.
- Included all incidents in each province/territory resulting from incidents “in, on, or near” water; “near-water” incidents were included if the incident was closely related to water-based recreational, vocational or daily living activity or if the presence of water appeared to contribute to the activity.
- Included only unintentional deaths; it did not include deaths due to natural causes, suicide or homicide.
Drowning Prevention Research Centre Canada
The Drowning Prevention Research Centre Canada (DPRC) is the lead agency for drowning in water-incident research in Canada. The DPRC conducts research into fatal and non-fatal drowning, significant aquatic injury and rescue interventions.
Remember, taking the time to learn and practice injury prevention costs you nothing. Failing to do so could lead to the unthinkable … the loss of your life and the lives of those you hold dear.
Safety—it starts with you.
