Lifesaving Society Targets Northern Communities

Lifesaving Society Targets Northern Communities

Thursday, July 15, 2004 at 14:32

Disproportionate drowning statistics in northern Saskatchewan have caught the attention of the Lifesaving Society.

A representative is conducting water safety training in the La Ronge-area this week as part of a northern campaign.

Last week, Jamie Lekivitz held sessions in Beauval. This week, she is working with young people from Sucker River at Wadin Bay.

Lekivitz says her organization is targetting the North because the region has had a high rate of drownings over the last few years, and it might benefit from increased training.

Lekivitz says non-use of lifejackets and a lack of self-rescue training seem to be the biggest factors in drowning deaths in the North.

Lekivitz says of the 11 drownings in the province last year, 4 took place in northern Saskatchewan.