Youth Drownings Spur Demand For Swimming Lessons

Youth Drownings Spur Demand For Swimming Lessons

Tuesday, July 18, 2006 at 15:11

The Lifesaving Society says more northern communities are getting serious about water safety following the tragic drowning deaths of four children earlier this year.

Spokesman Dale Measner says there’s no question his group has been getting more requests this year to schedule swimming lessons in the North.

He believes drownings in Sandy Bay, Pelican Narrows and Sucker River in the last few months are behind the spike in interest.

Measner says the Lifesaving Society is in the middle of a nine-week water safety campaign in six northern communities.

The Lifesaving Society has also released some sobering statistics from last year.

It says 64 per cent of drowning victims in Saskatchewan in 2005 were of Aboriginal ancestry — up from 42 per cent in 2004.

As well, 10 of the 14 drownings in 2005 were in the La Ronge and Prince Albert areas.