With so many lakes and rivers, Canadians are avid boaters. Canoes, kayaks, motorboats, houseboats - there are so many ways to enjoy the water. But when approximately one fifth of drownings each year occur during boating activities, it's important to know the key things that keep you safe.
Boating safety facts
- All powercraft boaters are required by law to carry a Personal Craft Operator Card (PCO).
- Around nine in ten boating deaths involved boaters are not wearing lifejackets.
- Alcohol or drug consumption is a factor in most boating deaths and accidents.
- Impaired boating can result in losing your driver's licence.
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Key boating safety tips
- Cold water is deadlier than you think. Prepare for the shock of cold water by always wearing a life jacket.
- Impaired boating is illegal. Leave the alcohol onshore.
- Check the forecast before you go out. Return to shore immediately if bad weather approaches.
- Familiarize yourself with local bylaws before you go.
- Operate powerboats responsibly – don’t speed close to shore and slow down when the water is choppy.
- Stay seated! You can easily fall out of a small powerboat, canoe or kayak.
- Properly load your boat. An unbalanced or overloaded boat could take on water or capsize.
- Be prepared. Ensure your vessel has the required safety gear on board, and sufficient fuel. We sell a boating essentials kit!
- Carry a VHF radio or cell phone in case you need to call for help.
- Consider wearing/bringing a personal locator beacon (PLB) as extra safety gear, especially if you're boating in a more remote area.
- Always tell someone where you are going, when you will return and who to call if you are overdue.
- Get trained. Boating is fun and easy if you know how.
- Wear a lifejacket! Most boating fatalities occur when not wearing lifejacket.
- Lifejackets aren't one size fits all - check for proper fit.
- Most drownings occur within 15 metres of shore; wearing a lifejacket alone can save your life.
Learn to Swim
Basic swimming ability is a fundamental requirement in any meaningful attempt to eliminate drowning in Canada. The Lifesaving Society offers training programs from learn-to-swim through advanced lifesaving, lifeguarding and leadership.
Our Swim for Life program stresses lots of in-water practice to develop solid swimming strokes and skills. We incorporate valuable Water Smart® education that will last a lifetime.
Swim to Survive is a Lifesaving Society survival training program. Swim to Survive is not a subsititute for swimming lessons; instead, it defines the minimum skills needed to survive an unexpected fall into deep water. People of all ages should be able to perform the Society's Swim to Survive standard.