Campbell River’s Centennial Pool is hoping to teach 200 people not just how to swim, but how to swim to survive.
Lifeguards at the pool will be teaching “swim to survive standards” as part of Swim to Survive Day on July 23, according to a press release from the City of Campbell River.
Instruction will include learning how to roll into deep water, tread water for one minute and swim 50 metres.
The city says lifeguards at the pool are aiming to teach 200 people how to swim to survive and that the initiative is part of National Drowning Prevention Week, which runs from July 18 to 24.
“It’s a common misconception that drowning is a noticeable, loud, or visible event; but often, drowning is silent and fast,” Dayna Stevenson, head lifeguard at Campbell River’s Centennial Pool, said in the release, adding. “It can take as little as 30 seconds for someone to drown.”
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“It has been over a year since most people have access swimming lessons or even been to a pool. National Drowning Prevention Week aims to teach and refresh our water safety knowledge so that everyone can be safe this summer,” said Centennial Pool lifeguard Braden Majic.
In addition to Swim to Survive Day, the City of Campbell River has planned an event at McIvor Lake on July 22 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. The city will also be holding two contests throughout National Drowning Prevention Week — a colouring contest and a daily water trivia challenge.
The city also says Centennial Pool is now open for drop-in swimmers, and change rooms and lockers are available.
For more information visit www.campbellriver.ca.
The City of Campbell River is hosting Swim to Survive Day on July 23 at the Centennial Pool, where lifeguards will be teaching swimmers how to roll into deep water, tread water for one minute and swim 50 metres. Admission to the pool is free all day on July 23. Swim to Survive Day is part of National Drowning Prevention Week, which runs from July 18 to 24. (City of Campbell River photo)
Justin Waddell
