Northern Lights Aquatic Centre
1201 Main Street South East T0G 2A3 Slave Lake, AB, Canada

Important Update about the Aquatic Centre

Labour Day Holiday Facility Closure

Summer vibes = lakes & rivers! Safety expert Lesley Anne's top tips: Tell someone where you're going Wear a life jacket Check the weather Avoid goin...g alone More on water safety https://bit.ly/2VKKKL3

In todays Slave Lake VLOG, Director of Community Services Garry Roth provides an update on what is happening behind the scene at the Aquatic Centre.

Did you know? Drowning is silent. A small child can disappear in seconds and can drown in only a few centimetres of water-enough to cover the mouth and nose. Learn how to stay safe this summer: www.redcross.ca/watersafetytips

KNOW YOUR LIMITS The highest water-related fatality rates in 2011-2015 included Baby Boomers 50-64 years of age and young adults 20-34 years of age. Baby Boomers need to adjust their risk taking behavior as they age. They may be older but not as resilient in a life-threatening situation. Know your current swimming ability. Young adults tend to participate in high risk activities. Know your limits and know the dangers of being in, on or around the water. Stay sober ...when in, on or around the water. Alcohol was a factor in many boating fatalities. Both cannabis and alcohol affect judgement, balance and reflexes. The major risk factors for drowning among adults aged 35 and older include not wearing a lifejacket when relevant, being alone and alcohol consumption. Choose It. Use It. Always wear a lifejacket. Lifejackets don’t work if you don’t wear them (see Boat Smart key messages). Lifejackets are a boats version of a seatbelt - always wear a lifejacket when boating. Plan your activity, be accompanied, follow instructions and stay away from at risk areas. Communicate your itinerary with someone you trust. Be aware of your environment. Make sure to be informed of weather forecasts and any changes related to the swimming area. #NDPW2020 #drowningispreventable #drowningprevention #knowyourlimits

BE WATER SMART SWIM WITH A BUDDY Every year many drownings occur while engaged in aquatic activities - where people intended on being in the water, but something went wrong. 20% of people drowned unexpectedly and 2/3 occur in open water. Always swim with a buddy. Many drowning deaths happen when swimming alone. If you’re not within arms’ reach, you’ve gone too far! Always actively supervise children. ... Open Water Messages Know before you go! Check weather and water conditions before heading out. Know what’s below! Protect your neck. Go feet first into water the first time. Never dive into shallow water. Substance use and swimming don’t mix. Stay sober when in and around the water. Lifejackets don’t work if you don’t wear them or wear them correctly. #NDPW2020 #drowningispreventable #drowningprevention #bewatersmart

LEARN TO SWIM TO SURVIVE Swim skills need to be taught, they are not innate. Most drownings occur close to safety can you survive an accidental or unintentional fall into the water? Swim to Survive is different than swimming lessons - not a replacement for them.... Swim to Survive teaches the necessary skills to survive an unexpected fall into deep water. Meeting the Canadian Swim to Survive Standard is an important first step to being safe around water. Basic swimming ability is a requirement of any meaningful attempt to eliminate drowning in Canada. Swim to Survive defines the minimum swim skills needed to survive an unexpected fall into deep water. Everyone deserves to learn swim survival skills. Make sure all family members can learn the 3 skills: Roll into deep water Tread water for 1 minute Swim 50 metres #NDPW2020 #drowningispreventable #drowningprevention #swimtosurvive

BE BOAT SMART Get carded! Get the Pleasure Craft Operator Card. STARTboating is a national program from the Lifesaving Society designed to educate new boaters on the basics of how tobe safe and responsible boaters. Boat Sober! - Alcohol consumption is a factor in 32% of boating-related fatalities. Don’t boat alone. Boating alone was a major risk factor in boating-related fatalities (21%).... Stay seated. You can easily fall out of a small powerboat, canoe or kayak. Check the condition of your boat and accessories. Always have a boat safety kit on board. Know before you go. Check the weather forecast and learn about local hazards. Watch out for other swimmers and boaters. Always have a spotter when towing water - skiers and tube riders. WEAR A LIFEJACKET Choose It. Use It. Always wear a Lifejacket. Lifejackets don’t work if you don’t wear them. Not wearing a lifejacket was a factor in 74% of boating deaths. Even strong swimmers need to wear lifejackets. #NDPW2020 #drowningispreventable #drowningprevention

WATCH ME, NOT YOUR PHONE In Alberta and the Northwest Territories, between 2007 and 2016, 100% of drowning deaths among children occurred due to absent or distracted adult supervision. Drowning is the 2nd leading cause of unintentional injury death among Canadian children under 10 years of age. Drowning is fast and silent, often occurring in less than 30 seconds. It is critical that parents and caregivers watch their children while they are in the water and not be dis...tracted - watch your child not your phone. Stay Within Arm’s Reach! Adults and caregivers should be within arm’s reach of young children when in or near the water. Unattended toddlers are high risk because they are mobile, curious and require close and constant supervision by an adult. Children under 5 years old are the least capable of self-rescue of any age group. Most of these children were alone and playing near water when they fell in and drowned. Infants and young children under 5 years are especially at risk in the bathtub. In 2011-2015, 100% of drowning deaths among infants under a year old occurred in a bathtub. Lifejackets are a layer of protection, but do not replace adult supervision. Backyard Pool Safety As a result of Covid-19 it is expected more Canadians will stay home and utilize their backyard in the summer and this may present an increased risk of drowning for homes with toddler pools, hot tubs, and backyard pools. Empty toddler pools after it rains and anytime an adult cannot provide active supervision. Private backyard pools continue to be the primary setting where children 1-4 years of age most often drown. Control and restrict access to water with layers of protection such as gates, fences, alarms, and other barriers. Provide active, direct supervision by designating a responsible adult to be a ‘backyard pool lifeguard’. #NDPW2020 #drowningispreventable #drowningprevention

Civic Holiday Facility Closures