Swimming and Water Safety

Read blog posts from the Canadian Red Cross about our Swimming and Water Safety programs

Latest Posts

Honouring Canadian Red Cross Swimming & Water Safety Program Volunteers

A woman with short light hair standing beside a large framed award holding a bouquet of flowers

During 2022, Red Cross is supporting its current Training Partners in making the transition to the swimming, lifeguarding, and aquatic leadership programs of the Lifesaving Society of Canada. As the transition is underway, the Canadian Red Cross looks back on the program and the volunteers who contributed to it with gratitude and acknowledgement of their life changing work.

A woman with short light hair standing beside a large framed award holding a bouquet of flowers

Indigenous Swimming and Water Safety program expands in Alberta

A young woman, named Kailee, smiling in her Red Cross lifeguard sweater

The pandemic provided opportunities for program instructors to innovate and expand delivery of water safety and injury prevention courses in Indigenous communities, says Kailee Berezowski, a program coordinator for the Canadian Red Cross Indigenous Swimming and Water Safety program in Alberta.

A young woman, named Kailee, smiling in her Red Cross lifeguard sweater

Remembering Barney Chanda: Red Cross volunteer, lifelong learner and mentor

Barney holding a toddler in a swimming pool, smiling, while the child squirts water out of a toy.

The Canadian Red Cross family experienced a great loss last week. Long-time volunteer, mentor, Master Instructor Trainer (MIT), and friend, Barney Chanda, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, October 13th. Many will recognize Barney for his many appearances over the years in Red Cross first aid and water safety manuals, videos, and resources.

Barney holding a toddler in a swimming pool, smiling, while the child squirts water out of a toy.

Resources for educators and parents to help kids stay safe around water

Young child swimming underwater, smiling

Parents, teachers and caregivers can all play an important role in keeping children safe when they are in, on or around water. Drowning is preventable. Through education, we can help children enjoy the water safely this summer.

The Red Cross has put together a series of educational resources on water safety intended for both children and those who care for them.  
 

Young child swimming underwater, smiling

Blue ice and red flags: How to stay safe when skating on lake ice

Picture of a lake with people skating and the sun shining in the sky.

Maybe it’s happened to you: You’re skating along the frozen surface of a lake, when CRACK! You see a fracture in the ice shoot out from under your skates. Suddenly you’re wondering… How thick is this ice? Should I be this far out? Tips from Canadian Red Cross ice safety expert Lynn Kolba for having a safe day on the ice.

Picture of a lake with people skating and the sun shining in the sky.

Water safety and representation with Justice Vandale-Niccolls

Alberta Coordinator of the Indigenous Swimming and Water Safety Program for the Canadian Red Cross, Justice Vandale-Niccolls discusses water safety, representation and cultural connection.

6 things every pool owner should know

With summer in full swing, we are all looking for ways to beat the heat while having fun, and what better way than to go for a swim? This year there has been a rise in new backyard pool owners, and whether it’s inflatable or above ground we want to help you ‘S.P.L.A.S.H.’ into summer fun while keeping your family safe!

“Diving” into the difference between a lifejacket and PFD – what you may not know about the two

We’ve all seen the terms “lifejacket” and “PFD” mentioned when talking about water safety, but what many people don’t know is that the two items are different in material, level of protection, and purpose. It’s like a bike helmet and a motorcycle helmet– both have similar purposes, but different circumstances will call for more appropriate use of one over the other.
 

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About The Blog

The purpose of this blog, quite simply, is to talk. This blog is an opportunity for Red Cross staff, volunteers, supporters and friends to share stories about what is happening in your community and the important work you are doing. It is a tool that will help keep all of us connected.

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