New stats on accidental drowning deaths in B.C. saw 101 people die in 2023 with 32 of them occurring on Vancouver Island, the most out of any region in the province. (The Canadian Press)

By Jordan Davidson

stay water safe

Water safety urged during summer as Vancouver Island sees most drowning deaths in 2023

Jun 26, 2024 | 12:43 PM

NANAIMO — More British Columbians died from accidental drownings in 2023 than at any point in the last decade with Vancouver Island leading the way.

The latest report from the B.C. Coroners Service stated 101 people died by accidental drowning in the province last year, with 32 of them occurring on Vancouver Island.

Executive director of The Lifesaving Society of BC & Yukon Lenea Grace said they were not surprised to see most deaths occurred in natural bodies of water, particularly in July.

“When the weather heats up, people are looking for ways to cool down. And that’s why we really urge people to assess the conditions, everything from weather to water temperature to whether those areas are supervised by a lifeguard.”

In 2022, 23 people drowned on Vancouver Island, with the lowest number occurring in 2013 with 9.

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Province-wide, 94 people drowned in 2022, with the lowest number in the last ten years occurring in 2016 with 66.

In total, 858 people have drowned in B.C. between 2013-2023. (BC Coroners Service)

More drowning deaths occurred in rivers/creeks (28 per cent) and lakes and ponds (28 per cent), with the Fraser River having the most with 51 deaths in the last decade.

The warmer months from May until August are when more drownings occur, peaking at 13.1 deaths per year in July, while Nov-Feb usually sees the lowest number of accidental drowning deaths.

Grace told NanaimoNewsNOW to be cautious even in your own home, with less than one per cent of drowning deaths in Canada occurring in lifeguard-supervised areas.

“Designating an adult to be watching and within arm’s reach at all times. And we want people to also be vigilant when it comes to their small children and bathtubs as the report does contain data on small children who have unfortunately drowned in bathtubs without proper adult supervision.”

The report said out of the total deaths in the last decade, 12 per cent (100) were in a bathtub, while boating (158), falling into water (155), and swimming (152) each accounted for 18 per cent of the total drowning deaths.

Grace stressed the importance of wearing a lifejacket at all times while boating regardless of age or skill level.

“Swim with a buddy and actively supervise their children, that means keeping small children seven and under within arm’s reach. And really important especially heading into a long weekend is never to mix alcohol and or drugs with swimming or boating. We really want to urge people not to drink and drown.”

Alcohol and/or drugs were found to be contributing factors in 39 percent of all drowning deaths from 2013-2022 and were involved in more than half of the drowning deaths for people aged 30-39. Alcohol/drug data for 2023 are currently not available.

Individuals aged 19-29 represented 20 per cent of the deaths, followed by 50-59-year-olds and those 70+, each representing 16 per cent.

Most incidents involved males (79 per cent), and 89 per cent resided in B.C.

A recent study out of Quebec said at least one child per day is taken to the emergency room due to drowning or near-drowning, with children between the ages of one and four most at risk.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow