A rash of drownings on Okanagan Lake this summer has the Lifesaving Society of Canada concerned. The total number of drownings in BC so far this year there are 23. That’s down from last year, when there were 36 drownings by this date. However, 10 of the deaths were in the Thompson-Okanagan, which is unusual. “Actually, five of them in Okanagan Lake, and that’s very unusual,” says Dale Mitchell, executive director of the Lifesaving Society-BC & Yukon Branch. “That’s 45 percent of the total drownings, which is much higher than most other years.” Mitchell says that, like the last person lost in the lake, tourists are especially vulnerable and often unaware of the dangers they face. He says public education is important, including signage and online outreach. “So someone who might not be familiar with the body of water has some knowledge of what to expect. For example, droppings in some lakes that are unexpected by visitors who do not know the lake. “Also drafts and cold water too. “Even though we’re almost at the end of August, some of these glacier-fed lakes are still cold, and that’s a shock when someone jumps in that they might not expect,” notes Mitchell. He says several drownings this year have also been the result of attempted rescues. “Whether it’s rescuing a dog or another human, we see people jumping into the water just on instinct to make that rescue and then getting into trouble themselves,” he explains. Mitchell urges people to curb that instinct and grab a flotation device or make sure they’re in a safe place first before attempting to help someone else. The Canadian Red Cross announced earlier this year that it was ending its long-standing swim lessons and handing over the reins to the Lifesaving Society. Mitchell notes that their program includes training specifically for swimming in lakes, which pose very different challenges than a pool.

title: “Lifesaving Society Says Drownings In Thompson Okanagan Are Unusually High This Year Especially On Okanagan Lake Kelowna News Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-10-25” author: “Darlene Setser”

A rash of drownings on Okanagan Lake this summer has the Lifesaving Society of Canada concerned. The total number of drownings in BC so far this year there are 23. That’s down from last year, when there were 36 drownings by this date. However, 10 of the deaths were in the Thompson-Okanagan, which is unusual. “Actually, five of them in Okanagan Lake, and that’s very unusual,” says Dale Mitchell, executive director of the Lifesaving Society-BC & Yukon Branch. “That’s 45 percent of the total drownings, which is much higher than most other years.” Mitchell says that, like the last person lost in the lake, tourists are especially vulnerable and often unaware of the dangers they face. He says public education is important, including signage and online outreach. “So someone who might not be familiar with the body of water has some knowledge of what to expect. For example, droppings in some lakes that are unexpected by visitors who do not know the lake. “Also drafts and cold water too. “Even though we’re almost at the end of August, some of these glacier-fed lakes are still cold, and that’s a shock when someone jumps in that they might not expect,” notes Mitchell. He says several drownings this year have also been the result of attempted rescues. “Whether it’s rescuing a dog or another human, we see people jumping into the water just on instinct to make that rescue and then getting into trouble themselves,” he explains. Mitchell urges people to curb that instinct and grab a flotation device or make sure they’re in a safe place first before attempting to help someone else. The Canadian Red Cross announced earlier this year that it was ending its long-standing swim lessons and handing over the reins to the Lifesaving Society. Mitchell notes that their program includes training specifically for swimming in lakes, which pose very different challenges than a pool.

title: “Lifesaving Society Says Drownings In Thompson Okanagan Are Unusually High This Year Especially On Okanagan Lake Kelowna News Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-29” author: “John Richardson”

A rash of drownings on Okanagan Lake this summer has the Lifesaving Society of Canada concerned. The total number of drownings in BC so far this year there are 23. That’s down from last year, when there were 36 drownings by this date. However, 10 of the deaths were in the Thompson-Okanagan, which is unusual. “Actually, five of them in Okanagan Lake, and that’s very unusual,” says Dale Mitchell, executive director of the Lifesaving Society-BC & Yukon Branch. “That’s 45 percent of the total drownings, which is much higher than most other years.” Mitchell says that, like the last person lost in the lake, tourists are especially vulnerable and often unaware of the dangers they face. He says public education is important, including signage and online outreach. “So someone who might not be familiar with the body of water has some knowledge of what to expect. For example, droppings in some lakes that are unexpected by visitors who do not know the lake. “Also drafts and cold water too. “Even though we’re almost at the end of August, some of these glacier-fed lakes are still cold, and that’s a shock when someone jumps in that they might not expect,” notes Mitchell. He says several drownings this year have also been the result of attempted rescues. “Whether it’s rescuing a dog or another human, we see people jumping into the water just on instinct to make that rescue and then getting into trouble themselves,” he explains. Mitchell urges people to curb that instinct and grab a flotation device or make sure they’re in a safe place first before attempting to help someone else. The Canadian Red Cross announced earlier this year that it was ending its long-standing swim lessons and handing over the reins to the Lifesaving Society. Mitchell notes that their program includes training specifically for swimming in lakes, which pose very different challenges than a pool.

title: “Lifesaving Society Says Drownings In Thompson Okanagan Are Unusually High This Year Especially On Okanagan Lake Kelowna News Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-30” author: “Alice Nelson”

A rash of drownings on Okanagan Lake this summer has the Lifesaving Society of Canada concerned. The total number of drownings in BC so far this year there are 23. That’s down from last year, when there were 36 drownings by this date. However, 10 of the deaths were in the Thompson-Okanagan, which is unusual. “Actually, five of them in Okanagan Lake, and that’s very unusual,” says Dale Mitchell, executive director of the Lifesaving Society-BC & Yukon Branch. “That’s 45 percent of the total drownings, which is much higher than most other years.” Mitchell says that, like the last person lost in the lake, tourists are especially vulnerable and often unaware of the dangers they face. He says public education is important, including signage and online outreach. “So someone who might not be familiar with the body of water has some knowledge of what to expect. For example, droppings in some lakes that are unexpected by visitors who do not know the lake. “Also drafts and cold water too. “Even though we’re almost at the end of August, some of these glacier-fed lakes are still cold, and that’s a shock when someone jumps in that they might not expect,” notes Mitchell. He says several drownings this year have also been the result of attempted rescues. “Whether it’s rescuing a dog or another human, we see people jumping into the water just on instinct to make that rescue and then getting into trouble themselves,” he explains. Mitchell urges people to curb that instinct and grab a flotation device or make sure they’re in a safe place first before attempting to help someone else. The Canadian Red Cross announced earlier this year that it was ending its long-standing swim lessons and handing over the reins to the Lifesaving Society. Mitchell notes that their program includes training specifically for swimming in lakes, which pose very different challenges than a pool.