The Oldman River. Photo taken July 3, 2020. (Lethbridge News Now)

By Shane Clausing

Alberta RCMP reminding Albertans to stay safe while out on the water

Aug 10, 2020 | 10:34 AM

Alberta RCMP is reminding Albertan’s travelling to lakes and rivers throughout the summer to stay safe and be cautious while on the water.

Mounties say from January 2016 until July 2020, there were 67 drowning fatalities in the province. Approximately 75 per cent of those individuals who drowned were over the age of 21, while 70 per cent of the incidents occurred on a lake or river.

In 2020, there has been five drowning fatalities.

Cpl. Tammy Keibel with the Alberta RCMP says when it comes to children being close to the water, it’s best to always keep an eye on them.

“We’re suggesting and advising that children be supervised by an adult while swimming, and that children and an inexperienced swimmer should always wear a life jacket while in the river.”

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As for if you’re heading out on a boat, Keibel says all the proper safety precautions should always be taken, including checking the water and weather conditions before you leave.

“You want to ensure that there are enough life jackets or personal floatation devices for every person on a watercraft if they go out in one. Ensure that the boats have a safety kit and a cell phone on board in case of emergencies. It’s always good to let others know where you are going.”

Keibel also mentioned that you should never operate a boat, like any other motor vehicle, while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

If you’re not heading out on a boat this year, but you’re hiking near water, Keibel says you should be careful climbing rocks near the water.

“Avoid climbing rocks and cliffs near water for photo-op purposes. A selfie should never compromise your safety, which at times has.”

Alberta RCMP say that by being properly prepared and implementing water-safety best practices, we can all do our part to prevent incidents on the water.