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?"

don’t need a lifejacket if you can swim well.

Wearing lifejackets is not required if a boater is skilled

dont need to wear a lifejacket if within sight of shore

wearing lifejackets only necessary if the boat is moving

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%