| 10 |
| In 1998 there were 551 preventable water-related deaths in Canada. |
 |
| 10 |
| In 1998 there were 551 preventable water-related deaths in Canada. |
|
| 9 |
| Recreational users of small powerboats account for nearly 80% of drownings in Canada. |
 |
| 8 |
| Every year, more than 100 children and youths drown. Drowning is the leading cause of death for Canadian children aged 1 to 4. |
 |
| 7 |
| 20% of boaters admit that they would not wear a PFD if no one else on board was wearing one. |
 |
| 5 |
| Males account for 83% of water-related fatalities, making men aged 14 to 34 four times more likely to drown than women. |
 |
| 6 |
For every drowning that occurs in Canada, there is approximately one near-drowning incident. |
| A near drowning occurs when a drowning victim is rapidly resuscitated, and survives. Near drowning can result in various degrees of brain injury, as severe brain damage occurs after just ten minutes without oxygen. |
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| 4 |
| Only 14% of those who drowned in 1999 were non-swimmers or weak swimmers. EVEN STRONG SWIMMERS DROWN! |
 |
| 3 |
| Drowning is the second most important cause of death in Aboriginal communities across Canada, making up 11% of all boating deaths. |
 |
| 2 |
| Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death for Canadians under 65 years of age, and in some locations in Canada, drowning deaths exceed the number of traffic fatalities. |
 |
| 1 |
| Nine out of every 10 recreational boaters who drown each year are not wearing a PFD or Life Jacket, and in 1 out of every 4 cases, a life jacket was on board but not worn. |
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