Safe Recreation in the Shuswap
The Shuswap Watershed Council wants the Shuswap to be a safe place for people to play.That is why we are reaching out through public education campaigns focused on safety in water recreation. This is especially important for issues that are unique to the Shuswap, and for issues of which there is little public awareness. 8 Top TipsHere are eight top tips for having fun and staying safe in the Shuswap:
Silent Drowning
Did you know that drowning victims are usually silent? All of their energy and focus is put into staying afloat, not calling for help. That is why it's so important to always watch – not listen – when you are there to supervise swimmers. Here's an article on how to watch for signs of drowning: Getting to Know "Silent Drowning." Lifejacket Loaner StationsWearing a lifejacket or personal floation device (PFD) greatly reduces drowning incidents. You can borrow a lifejacket for a child free of charge from a “Kids Don’t Float” Personal Flotation Device (PFD) loaner station, provided by the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCM-SAR), Station 106 Shuswap. Ensure your child’s lifejacket fits snugly and that it is properly secured every time you head out on the water. The Shuswap Watershed Council is pleased to support this great initiative by helping to finance three PFD loaner stations. Thanks to RCM-SAR and many community sponsors, there are now 20 loaner stations in the Shuswap.
Bruce Weicker, Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue Station 106, and Erin Vieira, Program Manager for the Shuswap Watershed Council, hang lifejackets at the self-serve lifejacket loaner kiosk located at Old Town Bay in Sicamous. Photo taken May 2022. Credit: Cliff Doherty.
See the "Kids Don't Float" Lifejacket Loaner Kiosks
Visit Safety SitesRoyal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue, Station 106 Shuswap Transport Canada – Office of Boating Safety
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Water Safety TipsHere are 8 Tips for Having Fun and Staying Safe in the Shuswap, in quick-to-download format. Keep it handy on your phone! RCM-SAR Safe Boating AppDownload the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCM-SAR) Safe Boating app for iPhone or Android. You'll find boating equipment requirements, helpful checklists, VHF radio channels, and more. Check it out!
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