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Cold Facts

Let's look at the cold, hard Facts about cold water immersion. Many studies have been done to determine why so many drowning deaths occur as a result of falling into cold water. If you look at the statistics below, it seems that in a lot of cases these tragedies should not have happened given the fact that most were good swimmers and were within a short distance from safety - the shore, a boat, a dock, etc.


The CSBC "Will it Float" study
authored by SMARTRISK


One question the study asked was:
"Why not wear a lifejacket?"

Lifesaving Society Facts

In 2004, 410 people drowned in Canada,
130 were boating.

Cold Water

60% drowned in water under 10 degrees C

34% drowned in water between 10 – 20 degrees C

LIFEJACKETS

Only 12% were properly wearing a lifejacket

2% were improperly wearing a lifejacket

DISTANCE FROM SHORE

43% were less than 2 metres from shore/safety *

66% were less than 15 metres from shore/safety*

*shore, boat, dock, etc.

HOW THEY ENDED UP IN THE WATER

26% fell or were thrown overboard

48% were in a boat that capsized or was swamped

SWIMMING ABILITY

Non-swimmer = 29%

Weak = 15%

Average = 12%

Strong = 10%

Not identified = 34%