Water Safety

Home

Training Ideas

Upcoming Courses

Course Descriptions

Water Safety

Songs and Games

Job Offers

Upcoming Competitions

Upcoming Seminars

Message Board

Links

Developer's Page

Water Safety Information

PFD and Lifejackets | Ice Safety | Sun Safety | Boat Safety | Pool Safety
Beach Safety
Add Your Safety Tips

PFD and Lifejackets

Personal Floatation Devices (PFD's) can keep you afloat, protect you from cold water, and may save your life ... if you wear it!

How to check to see if your PFD fits properly:

Is it easy to put on and take off?
Is it comfortable?
Can you move your arms freely and bend at the waist?
Will it support the person it was made for?

PFD's should be a bright colour, and have buckles, zippers, ties and a whistle that are in good condition.

Ensure your PFD is Canadian-approved (Department of Transportation (DOT) approved)

PFD's are never a substitute for adult supervision

Children should wear a PFD when in, on and around the water

Parents should lead by example and wear a PFD too!

Only go on ice that has confirmed as a safety zone

Check to see if your community has an ice-thickness hotline

Wear proper clothing for ice-related activities:

warm clothing worn in layers
wool hat, mittens, wool socks

Wear a PFD when snowmobiling and ice fishing

Know the signs and symptoms of hypothermia:

shivering, numbness, lack of coordination, decreasing level of consciousness

If an incident occurs, remove yourself or others from cold air or water as quickly and safely as possible

Try to get as much of the body out of water, think trunk, neck and head first; arms and legs last

Hypothermia can occur in any season, even summer

The sun's two most harmful rays are:

Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays cause sunburns and are the primary cause of skin cancers on parts of the body most exposed to the sun

Ultraviolet A (UVA) rays go deeper into the skin and are always present - even on cloudy days

When participating in outdoor activities reduce your exposure to the sun's harmful rays:

wear generous amounts of waterproof sunscreen (SPF 15 or 30)
wear a wide-brimmed hat and tightly woven clothing
take special care near highly reflective areas like water or snow
stay in the shade during the most 'UV' dangerous times of the day, from 11am to 4pm

See a doctor if you find any unusually coloured or irritated growths on your skin

Babies under 6 months old should be kept completely out of direct sunlight

Wear your PFD at all times

Take a boating course

Check the weather forecast

Remember, alcohol and boating don't mix

Know about the changes to the Small Vessel Regulations and the safety equipment requirements for the size of your boat

Ensure there is a PFD of appropriate size for everyone on board

Ensure that all safety equipment is in working order

Take spare parts, basic foods, warm clothing, first aid kit and adequate reserves of fuel

Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back

If someone falls out, use a throwing or reaching assist to help them to safety

Always obey the lifeguards' instructions, they are there to make sure you have a fun, safe time.

Don't scream, shout or pretend to drown, it can distract attention from a real emergency

Always look before you dive, make sure no-one is swimming in the area

Always walk on the pool deck, running is the quickest way to slip and hurt yourself

If you have young children at the pool, keep them close by (arm's reach) at all time

Always wait at least an hour after meals before swimming or doing any strenuous physical activity

Do not swim near piers or rocks. Dangerous currents could develop

Do not dive into shallow water. If you can't tell how deep it is, don't dive!

Always swim with a buddy

Take care with inflatable toys, an offshore wind can blow you away in seconds

Get out if you feel cold, even strong swimmers get tired in the cold

Remember to keep an eye on the tides, make sure you don't get cut off by the tide

Have any safety tips you'd like to add? Email us with it.