Safe Recreation

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. It’s especially important for issues that are unique to the Shuswap, and for issues of which there is little public awareness.

8 Top Tips

Here are eight top tips for having fun and staying safe in the Shuswap:

  • 1
    Whether boating, floating, paddling or SUPing, always wear a lifejacket.
  • 2
    Have a sober skipper! Never boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  • 3
    Be prepared. Check your pre-departure checklist.
  • 4
    Be extra safe in cold water — it can disable you from resurfacing.
  • 5
    Always use a spotter for tow sports.
  • 6
    Watch for floating and partially submerged debris.
  • 7
    Watch — don’t just listen — for trouble in the water. Don’t be distracted while supervising children.
  • 8
    Always swim with a friend — it’s safer than swimming alone.

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 Stations

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 by Cliff Doherty.

Wearing 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.

Top Banner Photo: Darren Robinson, Shuswap Tourism