July and August mean sunny skies, busy beaches and lots of people out on the water. While rivers, lakes, and oceans may provide a way to escape the heat this summer, July and August also see a spike in drowning rates.
National Drowning Prevention Week (NDPW) – the third week of July – is an annual initiative of the Lifesaving Society aimed at reducing the number of water-related fatalities and drowning incidents by promoting water safety messages in the community.
Join us at the UBC Aquatic Center throughout the week for exciting activities and opportunities to learn more! Visitors can explore the lobby area, where an activity table and display will provide valuable information and resources on water safety throughout the week. Be sure to check out the weekly schedule for activities that will also be taking place throughout the week:
- Monday, July 17:
- Kickstarting NDPW, the UBC Aquatic Center will offer lifejacket fittings and the Swim to Survive Challenge. Trained guards will be on-deck to educate participants about wearing lifejackets properly and how using ill-fitting ones can be unsafe. In addition, participants can take on the Swim to Survive Challenge, which involves rolling into deep water, treading water, and swimming 25 meters. Successful participants will receive certificates of completion.
- Tuesday, July 18:
- The focus of the day will be the Swim to Survive Challenge. Participants will have the opportunity to test their skills and gain confidence in the water while aiming to meet the Swim to Survive standard. On-deck guards will guide and evaluate participants.
- Wednesday, July 19:
- Water safety takes centre stage as the UBC Aquatic Center hosts a special day for camps. Various water safety stations will be incorporated into lessons, covering topics such as ice safety, boat safety, and personal flotation devices (PFDs). Participants will also have the chance to take part in the Swim to Survive Challenge, reinforcing their knowledge and skills in a supportive environment.
- Thursday, July 20:
- The Swim to Survive Challenge continues, offering participants another opportunity to demonstrate their proficiency in essential survival skills. On-deck guards will guide and evaluate participants, providing encouragement and feedback along the way.
- Friday, July 21:
- The Swim to Survive Challenge continues, empowering participants to practice and refine their water survival skills. Participants will be able to attempt the challenge and receive certificates of completion upon successfully meeting the Swim to Survive standard.
- Saturday, July 22:
- On the final day of National Drowning Prevention Week, the Swim to Survive Challenge concludes with one last chance for participants to showcase their skills.
National Drowning Prevention Week serves as a reminder that water safety is of utmost importance. By actively participating in these activities and spreading awareness, we can contribute to preventing drowning incidents and creating safer aquatic environments for everyone.
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Spread the word and help to increase awareness through your networks. The public is encouraged to interact with their social media platforms, and be sure to include the #ndpw2023 and #snpn2023 hashtags in your posts!
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