Personal Floatation Device (PFD)

Date / Period
2005
Place
Ottawa
Object Type
Other
Credit
Mustang Survival
Topics
Swimming and Water Safety

For over 60 years, the Canadian Red Cross has been offering swimming and water safety instruction across the country. In 2005, swimming and water safety classes were revised in order to better instruct and prepare Canadians across a diverse range of ages and ability. 

The program was developed with three pillars -- swimming, skills and water safety, and fitness. Swimming programs were divided into Red Cross Swim Preschool, Red Cross Swim Kids and Red Cross Swim Basics. Later, Red Cross Swim @ School, Red Cross Swim @ Camp, and Red Cross Swim for Adults and Teens would be included. 

Red Cross Swim programs were again reviewed and updated in 2010. The Canadian Red Cross worked closely with instructors and training partners when revamping the programs to get a sense of where improvements could be made. During this time it became apparent that there was a need to increase the number of levels of the Red Cross Swim Preschool program, and the Red Cross Swim Basics program needed an additional level to help adult swimmers progress comfortably while improving their skills. 

"In addition to swimming lessons, the Canadian Red Cross strongly advocates for the use of lifejackets, or Personal Floatation Devices."

In addition to swimming lessons, the Canadian Red Cross strongly advocates for the use of lifejackets, or Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) for their critical role in reducing water-related injuries and fatalities. The importance and proper use of lifejackets is shared through events such as  National Lifejacket Day, and sharing drowning research with training partners and key stakeholders. 

Today, the Canadian Red Cross continues to champion water safety and swimming skills across the country through a variety of classes designed to suit of wide variety ages and skills of students and raised awareness of the importance of lifejackets. Today over a 1.2 million Canadians enroll in Red Cross Swim programs, and over 20,000 Canadians are trained and certified as Water Safety Instructors every year. 

Personal Floatation Device (PFD)

Personal Flotation Device
Mustang Survival Personal Flotation Device
 
Water Safety

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