New Brunswickers spend a lot of time on the water, and Saint Andrews Paddling Club (SAPC) member Caroline Davies is no exception.
“Knowing that you do have these tides, knowing that we do have a river that empties into the bay, and that the water always is flowing, and respecting that,” Davies said. “I think it should be respected rather than feared.”
Davies said the SAPC promotes water safety from day one. Members are first-aid trained, must take boating safety courses, must wear a properly fitted lifejacket and must carry safety equipment.
The SAPC has been paddling this week during National Drowning Prevention Week.
This year’s theme, “Prepare to be Water Smart,” encourages Canadians to plan ahead and make safe choices around the water.
The Lifesaving Society of New Brunswick, a charitable organization dedicated to preventing drowning and water-related injury, said more than 400 Canadians die in preventable water-related accidents.
About 78 per cent of boating-related fatalities occurred when the individual was not wearing a personal flotation device (PFD), according to the 2012-2021 report by the Drowning Prevention Research Centre of Canada (DPRC).
Transport Canada is encouraging boaters to wear a properly fitted lifejacket or PFD, avoid alcohol while operating a boat, complete pre-departure safety checks and carry all required safety equipment.
“Check the weather,” Davies said. We do have a lot of storms that come through here. Wind can be a hazard on water, especially open waters like we have here.”
Davies emphasized the danger of thunder and lightning when on the water. Transport Canada includes monitoring the weather on its pre-departure checklist.
Boating Safety Officer Christopher Hanlon with Transport Canada, emphasized the importance of flotation devices when on the water.
“Lifejackets and PFDs have proven time and time again to save lives,” Hanlon said. “We want to encourage everyone to always have that lifejacket, make sure it fits, make sure it’s on board, make sure it’s on your person.”
Hanlon said people often think they’re strong swimmers and don’t need a PFD. Often, deaths happen when people are knocked unconscious or they are incapacitated.
The other cause of preventable fatalities involving a watercraft is alcohol consumption.
Roughly 31 per cent of deaths occurred when the individual was impaired by alcohol, according to the DPRC.
“You wouldn’t drive your car while intoxicated. You shouldn’t drive your boat while intoxicated,” Hanlon said.
National Drowning Prevention Week is from July 19-July 25 2026.
