British Columbians reminded to use life jackets amid recent drowning deaths
The society says 27 people have drowned in the province this year and warns the total could top 2025’s 93 deaths.
- Lenea Grace, executive director of the Lifesaving Society, reports 27 drowning deaths in British Columbia so far in 2026, warning the province could face a record-breaking year for fatalities.
- Data from the Coroners Service shows 93 fatal drownings in 2025, with 43 deaths occurring in the first six months and one-third happening during summer months.
- Advocating for legislative change, the Lifesaving Society pushes for mandatory life jacket laws for adults, since Transport Canada currently requires them only for children, which Grace likens to vehicle seatbelts.
- Grace recommends swimmers "do not swim alone" and "try and swim with a buddy at all times," while also advising they "assess the conditions" and "keep children within arms' reach."
- Drowning "can happen in seconds" and is often silent rather than noisy, Grace noted, since less than one per cent of drownings occur in lifeguard-supervised areas.
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British Columbians reminded to use life jackets amid recent drowning deaths - Creston Valley Advance
There have been more than 20 fatal drownings so far this year, and a society that advocates for water safety warns it could be a record-breaking year for deaths. Lifesaving Society’s B.C. and Yukon branch says – by its count – there have been 27 drowning deaths so far in the province in 2026. Lenea Grace, executive director of the society, said there has been a recent spike in drownings in B.C., pointing to a recent reported drowning on Okanagan…
Vernon Morning Star
British Columbians reminded to use life jackets amid recent drowning deaths
There have been more than 20 fatal drownings so far this year, and a society that advocates for water safety warns it could be a record-breaking year for deaths. Lifesaving Society’s B.C. and Yukon branch says – by its count – there have been 27 drowning deaths so far in the province in 2026. Lenea Grace, executive director of the society, said there has been a recent spike in drownings in B.C., pointing to a recent reported drowning on Okanagan…
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