Lifesaving Society Responds To Sandy Bay Drowning

Lifesaving Society Responds To Sandy Bay Drowning

Monday, March 27, 2006 at 14:56

The Lifesaving Society says a tragedy in Sandy Bay last week could be avoided in the future with more water safety and swimming survival training in the North.

A four-year-old boy was swept into the Churchill River last week while playing along the river’s edge with two other children.

His body hasn’t been recovered despite a massive search effort.

Lifesaving Society CEO Dale Measner says the delivery of basic swimming skills in northern Saskatchewan continues to face two main challenges — a lack of funding and a lack of year-round or seasonal aquatic facilities.

Measner says his group’s research indicates that drownings are reduced by 70 per cent for children who can tread water for one minute and swim 50 metres.