Are you going on an adventure? From Muskoka to the Maldives, water is often a part of a fun vacation. No matter how far you are traveling, make sure you are prepared to be safe at your destination.
Follow these tips to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
Overview
- Know the rules at your destination, including regulations for lifejacket wear.
- Swim in designated zones that are supervised by lifeguards and pay attention to all safety signage.
- Make sure safety equipment is in place at short-term rental locations that are on or near the water. Bring it with you if needed. Lifejackets, boating kits, rescue equipment like throw ropes or ring buoys, first aid kits, and other location-specific equipment may be needed.
- Stay within arms’ reach of children at hotel pools, on the beach, on the dock and on the boat. If you are in, on or around the water, children must always be within arms’ reach.
- Only work with trusted, licensed agencies for boating, snorkeling, scuba diving, and other water-related recreational activities.
- Learn to Swim! Take first aid and Bronze Medallion courses to learn how to safely help yourself and others in an emergency.
At a hotel or resort
Before You Go
- Research local water conditions, currents, marine life and rules.
- Ask about access to properly fitting, approved lifejackets or PFDs for all your family members. If there is any doubt about access to properly sized lifejackets, bring your own.
- Learn to Swim! Take first aid and Bronze Medallion courses to learn how to safely help yourself and others in an emergency.
While There
- Swim in lifeguard supervised areas.
- Always swim with a buddy. It is more fun and safer than swimming alone.
- Stay within arms’ reach of children when they are in, on, or around the water.
- Assign an adult to be the supervisor to watch over everyone while in the water.
- Stay in the designated swimming areas. If you are not sure where they are, ask the lifeguard or staff in the area.
- Read and follow all safety signage.
- Always wear a lifejacket when boating.
At a cottage or on a dock
Before You Go
- Make sure the dock is in good condition. Clean it often to prevent slippery surfaces.
- Know the depth of the water around the dock. Make sure that it is deep enough and there are no obstacles under the surface before you jump or dive in.
- If you don’t know how deep the water is, or can’t see below the surface, choose a foot-first entry into the water.
- Make sure there is an easy way to get out of the water, such as a ladder.
- Boats and swimmers don’t mix. Keep designated areas for swimming and boats separate.
- Learn to Swim! Take first aid and Bronze Medallion courses to learn how to safely help yourself and others in an emergency.
- Practice docking and moving watercrafts around the dock.
- Keep a buoyant aid such as a throw rope, ring buoy, and extra lifejacket nearby.
While There
- Restrict access to the water. Make sure that children can’t access the water unsupervised.
- Set Water Smart rules to be followed when outside the cottage and around the water.
- Assign an adult to be the supervisor to watch over everyone while in the water.
- Always stay within arms’ reach of children and keep your eyes on them. It’s not enough to be nearby on the dock reading a book while your child is playing near or in the water. If you’re not within arms’ reach, you’ve gone too far.
- Ensure children always wear a lifejacket or PFD when playing near the water.
- Ensure that everyone wears a lifejacket or PFD when out on a boat.
- Carefully supervise the use of inflatables. It is easy to fall off an inflatable or be dragged away from the shore by wind or currents.
- Keep a buoyant aid such as a throw rope, ring buoy, and extra lifejacket nearby.
- Always swim and boat sober.
At a waterpark or public pool
Before You Go
- Make sure there are enough adults to properly supervise the number of children.
- Bring properly sized lifejackets.
- Review the park/pool rules with your children before getting there.
- Learn to Swim! Take first aid and Bronze Medallion courses to learn how to safely help yourself and others in an emergency.
While There
- Actively supervise children and avoid all distractions. Lifeguards are supervising everyone, not babysitting your children. You are responsible for the safety of your children.
- Stay within arms’ reach of children at all times.
- Water slides can be disorienting, so, if possible, wear a lifejacket the first few times you slide.
On boats or other watercrafts
Before You Go
- Be prepared. Check the condition of the boat, pack all required equipment and ensure you have sufficient fuel.
- Ensure you have proper fitting, Canadian Coast Guard approved lifejackets or PDFs for everyone who will be on the trip, plus at least one extra.
- Tell someone who is staying on shore where you are going and when you will be back.
- Get trained. Take a boating safety course.
- Teach kids about boating safety before you leave the dock.
- Be weather-wise – check multiple marine forecasts.
- Learn to Swim! Take first aid and Bronze Medallion courses to learn how to safely help yourself and others in an emergency. Falling overboard is never planned, but it can happen, especially on smaller crafts like stand-up paddleboards and windsurfers. You may end up in the water and knowing how to swim is important.
- Pick a boat or craft that meets your needs. Think about weight, size, quality, skill level, and how you will be using it.
- Go with someone who is experienced in the activity.
- For towing activities like tubing and water skiing, make sure the riders, spotter and driver know the hand signals.
While There
- Use equipment correctly (wearing ankle leashes while paddle boarding, don’t cross ropes while water skiing…)
- Watch carefully for changes in weather or water conditions. They can happen fast.
- Boat, swim and play water sports sober. Alcohol and drugs don’t mix with water sports. Save the drinks for when you’re back on land.
- Carry a cell phone or VHF radio.
- Obey all speed limits, signs and buoys. Take special care around dams and hydroelectric facilities.
- Avoid getting close to swimmers and other boats.
- Always wear a lifejacket or PFD.