As Ontario Provincial Police investigate a number of recent drownings, the Lifesaving Society is urging people visiting local lakes and rivers to stay extra cautious.
“As a mother myself and as a drowning prevention advocate, it really does break my heart. I feel for these families,” Stephanie Bakalar, a spokesperson with the organization’s Ontario branch and a former lifeguard, said.
“I want other families to understand that we can prevent drownings, and we can keep your little ones safe as long as we work together and understand the risks and the prevention steps.”
According to a police statement, OPP officers and emergency crews were called to Mille Roches Beach in Long Sault, which is about 15 minutes west of Cornwall, at around 5:45 p. m. on Saturday after a three-year-old boy was reported to be without vital signs. The statement said that despite attempts by off-duty medical professionals to revive the boy, he was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Just after 1 p. m. on the same day, emergency crews were called to a home in Wasaga Beach after receiving reports that a 24-year-old Toronto man in a kayak was missing after it tipped over. Officers said Wasaga Beach firefighters found the missing man and emergency crews attempted to resuscitate him, but were unsuccessful.
“It is hard for the first responders, it is hard for the bystanders, it is heartbreaking for the family, and it is something that will stick with you forever,” Bakalar said.
Meanwhile, a three-year-old died while visiting Sandbanks Provincial Park in Prince Edward County with family members on Thursday. The child was reported missing after playing with family members in shallow water. Bystanders later found the three-year-old. Paramedics rushed the child to a hospital and despite life-saving efforts, the three-year-old was later pronounced dead.
On July 20, a 24-year-old Toronto-area man was canoeing with some friends on East Lake in Prince Edward County when they decided to go swimming. Officers said they weren’t able to get back into their canoes. One person made it to shore; two others were helped by someone nearby while the fourth person didn’t resurface. They were later located by an OPP search and recovery team.
Officers mentioned that a 51-year-old Toronto man also died while swimming in East Lake on July 19. This drowning incident took place at a local resort.
City News contacted Ontario Provincial Police on Sunday seeking an on-camera interview but no spokesperson was available. However, statements indicated that investigations into all incidents are ongoing.
The rise in drownings led OPP officers to issue warnings urging individuals to wear life jackets.
“Capsizing or falling overboard are the two leading causes of death in boating incidents, and wearing a life jacket can mean the difference between life and death,” stated their message.
“Ontario Provincial Police [have] responded to 10 marine fatalities in eastern Ontario so far this summer. That’s more than double the number of drowning deaths at this time last year.”
Bakalar emphasized that drowning “by and large is preventable in all cases.”
“There are some instances where someone may have another issue … because they’ve had a medical incident or something like that,” she told City News.
“Most drownings happen because people are alone and they don’t have someone to help them out if they get in trouble or they overestimate their swimming ability or they’re not wearing a life jacket.”
During an interview on Sunday along Lake Ontario’s shore in Whitby, Bakalar pointed out colder water temperatures, stronger waves and unstable surfaces as reasons for caution.
Between 2017 and 2021, Bakalar noted key causes of drowning incidents in Ontario: 35 percent occur when someone is swimming; 13 percent happen while playing or working near water; ten percent involve power boating; seven percent occur during canoeing activities.
She stressed how essential it is to wear an appropriate life jacket or personal flotation device.
Bakalar explained that life jackets should have weight classes suitable for age along with approvals from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (and if used on boats must be approved by Transport Canada). She advised testing out life jackets beforehand so that they’re snug when worn-if fingers fit under shoulders easily enough allowing pulling above ear level then it’s likely too big.
Additional tips from Lifesaving Society include checking weather forecasts before entering water areas; always swimming with others; never diving head-first into shallow waters.
p>Bakalar urged swimmers choose spots monitored by lifeguards:
“In Ontario only one percent of drownings happen where lifeguards are present,” she mentioned.
Click here for lists showing Toronto beaches guarded by lifeguards; check local municipalities outside Toronto for similar details.”
p>Additionally,Bakalar insisted everyone learn basic swimming skills regardless of age/ability:“Lifesaving Society offers programs especially designed adults who didn’t get lessons earlier.”
p>”What I hear often from adult learners-especially those taking my classes-is disbelief about their potential,” stated Bakalar.“I’ve taught grandparents new arrivals who’d never swum before-they thought they’d never swim until moving here seeing kids wanting splash around prompting them want learn.”
p>”That journey involved fear/hesitation requiring hand-holding & encouragement-and yes! You can succeed just trust yourself!” .
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p>Bakalar urged swimmers choose spots monitored by lifeguards:
“In Ontario only one percent of drownings happen where lifeguards are present,” she mentioned.
Click here for lists showing Toronto beaches guarded by lifeguards; check local municipalities outside Toronto for similar details.”
p>Additionally,Bakalar insisted everyone learn basic swimming skills regardless of age/ability:“Lifesaving Society offers programs especially designed adults who didn’t get lessons earlier.”
p>”What I hear often from adult learners-especially those taking my classes-is disbelief about their potential,” stated Bakalar.“I’ve taught grandparents new arrivals who’d never swum before-they thought they’d never swim until moving here seeing kids wanting splash around prompting them want learn.”
p>”That journey involved fear/hesitation requiring hand-holding & encouragement-and yes! You can succeed just trust yourself!” .
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