Alcohol and drugs are major contributing factors in one third of drownings while boating.
Although progress has been made in the reduction of impaired automobile offences over the past 10 years, incidences of impaired boat continue to be commonplace.
If you drink or do drugs, don't drive your boat. In Ontario, if you are convicted of driving a boat while under the influence, you will lose your license to operate your boat and your car.
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.