The millions spent each year in B.C. as a result of those who drown or experience near-drowning is entirely avoidable, according to a spokesman for Preventable.ca, a non-profit organization aiming to raise awareness around water safety.
Preventable.ca spokesman Ian Pike said: “That $17 million reflects direct costs to the health care system and indirect costs based on potential years either lost or potential years of life living with an injury, a disability, where your earnings are reduced.”
There was an average of more than 50 deaths and 244 hospitalizations in B.C. due to drowning and near-drownings between 2003 and 2007.
Those figures have remained level for the last several years. He said a simple solution could be to buy a $20 life jacket.
“We are not killjoys. We’re not trying to suggest that people shouldn’t engage in adventure and real activities. We’re just saying if you choose to do those activities, recognize the inherent risk and take steps to mitigate it.”
Preventable is the first organization to launch a B.C.-wide social marketing strategy focusing on preventable injuries. It also uses guerilla marketing activities to urge people to adjust their behaviours.