After a tragic summer of water-related fatalities in British Columbia, a group of four friends from Squamish is pushing for the installation of rescue gear at provincial parks. The province has seen a significant increase in drownings this year, with 42 reported deaths compared to 27 during the same period last year, according to the B.C. and Yukon Lifesaving Society.
Lenea Grace, the society’s executive director, expressed concern over the rise in fatalities and emphasized the importance of promoting water safety among British Columbians. She highlighted that a significant number of drowning incidents in the province involve individuals not wearing life jackets.
In response to a tragic incident at Browning Lake in Murrin Provincial Park, where a couple lost their lives after falling off a paddleboard, friends Auni Dayton, Ella Henriques, Zoë Prescott, and Zeia Dayton united to advocate for enhanced safety measures. They penned a letter to the District of Squamish authorities in July, urging for improvements such as life jacket-loaner systems, better signage, and enhanced swimming education at local swimming spots.
Henriques stressed the need for additional safety measures like rescue buoys at popular lakes such as Alice Lake, Browning Lake, and Cat Lake. The group believes that these initiatives, which are relatively inexpensive, can significantly reduce the risk of drownings.
District of Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford echoed support for the safety initiatives and penned a letter to the Ministry of Environment and Parks, emphasizing the responsibility to ensure safety at water bodies within the region. However, both the mayor and the advocates are yet to receive a response from the province.
While the Ministry of Environment and Parks stated that provincial parks do not provide life jackets or rescue stations and have no plans to change this practice, Grace from the Lifesaving Society emphasized the importance of such equipment in preventing tragedies. The society remains hopeful for Transport Canada to mandate life jackets for adults on paddleboards.
Despite the lack of immediate response from authorities, the group of friends remains committed to spreading their message and advocating for improved water safety measures. Henriques emphasized the urgency of installing necessary safety equipment to prevent drownings and save lives.