Blunt message sent to prevent drowning

If you were out at Gyro Beach in Kelowna on Wednesday, you may have noticed a 10 foot tall beach ball floating in the water.

But it’s what’s written on that beach ball that water safety experts are hoping you’ll remember: Before you think only other swimmers drown, have a word with yourself.

The slogan is part of a water safety campaign this summer organized by Preventable.ca, the Canadian Red Cross and B.C. Hydro.

Towels emblazoned with the slogan were laid out on the sandy beaches of Gyro Beach in hopes of catching the eyes of swimmers and families out enjoying some fun in the sun.

Sean O’Keefe with Preventable.ca says the campaign is meant to not only raise overall awareness of water safety but to get people thinking before they head into the water.

“During the summertime, everyone’s out at the beach,” O’Keefe said. “A lot of people don’t take the proper precautions. They always think that it’s not them that’s going to drown, it’ll be someone else.”

O’Keefe says while parents should keep a close watch on their kids, it is actually teenagers and young adults in their 20s that are more vulnerable when in the water.

“They think they’re invincible and they won’t get hurt. They’re the ones that definitely need to take those precautions,” he said.

O’Keefe says the bluntness of the message is necessary to grab eyes.

“Fear is a great way to grab people’s attention. As much as we don’t want to scare anyone, it’s a good way to reach out and make think that something could happen to them,” he said.

Fifty British Columbians had drowned by August long weekend of last year, according to Derek Mahoney, water safety expert with the Canadian Red Cross in the Okanagan.

To prevent drowning, Mahoney says boaters should always wear life jackets, those in the water should avoid alcohol and parents should be vigilant while supervising their children.

“We want people out there enjoying this environment and enjoying the water,” Mahoney said. “We live in arguably the most beautiful place in the world but let’s be aware of the risks that are involved in the activities we enjoy and prepare for it.”