With good weather and some free time, Canadians turn eagerly to the water. Here are some places to bone up on those swimming and boating safety rules you might have forgotten since last year.
Water Safety Courses from the Red Cross
A good place to learn about water safety is with a Canadian Red Cross swimming course. Red Cross swimming courses include:
- AquaTots Swimming- The Red Cross offers three levels of water skills courses for children 1 to 3 years old. The course descriptions include some of the tips you'll learn for teaching your young child to swim.
- AquaQuest Swimming- A 12-level program for children over 3 years old.
- AquaAdults Swimming- This course for adults will teach you how to swim and improve your swimming strokes at your own pace. It will also give you information on supervising children around water.
For information on courses in your neighbourhood, call the local Red Cross office. If you have difficulty, try the regional Red Cross offices.
Boating Safety in Canada
The federal government Safe Boating Guide from Transport Canada is the best source of information on the laws and responsibilities of boat owners and operators in Canada.
Pat Drummond's Boating in Canada also has some excellent safety information, including distress signals, fueling safety, a sail plan form, security and prevention of hypothermia.
For information on boating safety courses, check the Transport Canada database of accredited course providers in Canada.
