JOINT MEDIA RELEASE July 13, 2026

For immediate release

This summer, Alberta Blue Cross and the Lifesaving Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories are teaming up to urge Albertans to take precautions to reduce the risk of drowning.

“We’ve seen record-breaking precipitation in Alberta over the last few months which has led to exceptionally high river levels and overflowing stormwater retention ponds, leaving natural bodies of water in dangerous conditions,” says Brian Geislinger, senior vice-president of Corporate Relations and Community Engagement with Alberta Blue Cross. “This summer the risk of drowning has become even higher—which makes it even more important for all Albertans to take precautions to ensure safety around open water.”

As a champion for wellbeing, Alberta Blue Cross has an active interest in health promotion and injury prevention, including drowning prevention. Drowning is a swift, silent threat that claims the lives of 450 Canadians each year according to the 2025 National Drowning Report. Drowning deaths are often preventable with simple, proactive steps.

This National Drowning Prevention Week, the Lifesaving Society encourages Albertans to prepare before enjoying the water. By planning ahead, building skills and making smart choices around water, drownings can be prevented and lives can be saved. Alberta Blue Cross and the Lifesaving Society encourage Albertans to take action by understanding the risks and practicing water safety.

National Drowning Prevention Week is the third week of July every year, coinciding with Canada’s peak drowning period. This week promotes awareness of the need for individuals, communities, organizations and governments to take action in an effort to save lives—with a different key message each day. This year, National Drowning Prevention Week concludes on July 25, which marks World Drowning Prevention Day.

The World Health Organization has announced this year’s World Drowning Prevention Day theme as Unite to Turn the tide on Drowning. Drowning does not discriminate, and anyone can be affected. Through education, advocacy and shared resources, we can work together to raise awareness and promote simple actions that help prevent drowning.

“Together, we can turn the tide on drowning as a global community,” says Madison Lalonde, interim managing director with the Lifesaving Society Alberta and Northwest Territories. “We encourage you to discuss water safety with your loved ones throughout the week, and to be vigilant when in, on or around the water this summer. Safety is a shared responsibility, because anyone can drown. And no one should.”

National Drowning Prevention Week drowning prevention and awareness tips

• July 19—fatal and non-fatal drowning: drowning doesn’t necessarily look like you would expect, and too often, it happens when someone is alone. Swim with a buddy, keep an eye on one another, and be ready to call for help.
• July 20—open water: about 7 in 10 drownings occur in natural bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers and oceans. Open water adventures are always better with friends. Explore the great outdoors as a team, look out for each other and make safety a shared priority.
• July 21—pool safety: only 1 per cent of drownings occur in lifeguard supervised settings. Lifeguards are your ultimate poolside companions. Swim in supervised settings where professionals are on watch. If you have access to an unsupervised pool, swim with a buddy, maintain active supervision and keep rescue equipment nearby.
• July 22—Swim to Survive®: more than 1 in 3 people who fatally drowned while swimming were weak or non-swimmers. Many drowning victims never intended to enter the water. Swimming is a life skill that can save your life. Contact your local pool or take lessons as family. You can learn more about Swim to Survive® and other essential water survival skills here.
• July 23—supervision: kids need more than just a lifeguard. They need you. Always directly supervise children in, on and around the water. If you are not within arm’s reach, you’ve gone too far. The 2025 Alberta Drowning Report states that 100 per cent of drownings in children under the age of 5 occur because of absent adult supervision.
• July 24—substance use: alcohol and water don’t mix. Your safety depends on clear judgment. Both alcohol and cannabis can impair balance, judgement and reflexes. Their effects are heightened by environmental factors such as sun exposure, wind, waves and dehydration, making it more difficult to get out of trouble. Make smart choices, celebrate responsibly and save the party for after the water.
• July 25—boating safety and Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs): safety starts with a simple step: buckle up your lifejacket. Whether you’re boating, paddling or fishing, your lifejacket can save your life. Look out for each other and make safety a priority on the water. Choose it, use it.

For more information about National Drowning Prevention Week, please visit www.lifesaving.org.

(All statistics are sourced from the 2025 Alberta Drowning Report.)

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About the Lifesaving Society

The Lifesaving Society, Alberta and Northwest Territories Branch is a non-profit charity, with a mission to prevent drowning and water-related injury. This mission is accomplished through our training programs, WaterSmart® public education, aquatic safety management services, lifesaving sport programs and water incident research.

About Alberta Blue Cross

Alberta Blue Cross is a lifelong partner in health and wellbeing, helping people and organizations navigate life’s meaningful moments with clarity, care and confidence. For more than 75 years, we’ve supported individuals, employers, communities and governments through coverage and guidance to help people live well. Rooted in Alberta, we invest locally in initiatives that strengthen the communities we serve.

For more information, please contact Angela Giacobbo, communications officer, Alberta Blue Cross at agiacobb@ab.bluecross.ca or Madison Lalonde, interim managing director, Lifesaving Society Alberta and Northwest Territories at Experts@Lifesaving.org or 780-415-1755.