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Is there an exciting lifesaving program or initiative happening at your facility or community? If so, we would love to feature it in an upcoming edition of the Lifeliner. Contact Krystyna at krystynad@lifesaving.bc.ca for more information.
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Rescue Profile
Tofino Rescuers Nominated
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The Lifesaving Society sends our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Sunday’s drowning victims as well as to the community of Tofino. This is one more example of how unpredictable water and weather conditions can quickly turn a pleasant adventure into a terrible tragedy.
Our sincere appreciation goes to those involved in the extensive rescue operation that resulted in 21 lives being saved. After appropriate investigation, the Lifesaving Society will be nominating those rescuers for Commonwealth Rescue Awards to be presented at our annual awards ceremony next March under the patronage of Her Honour, Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon. These awards are presented each year to members of the public who save others from drowning in BC waters.
In regard to the discussion of whether those on board should have been wearing lifejackets or Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs), our understanding is that Transport Canada does not require passengers on this type of vessel to wear lifejackets and in fact, having them wear them could further endanger safety and hinder evacuation in case of an incident such as capsizing.
The suggestion that there should be mandatory legislation for all boaters to wear a lifejacket or PFD should be put in context. To compare it to seat belt legislation would suggest that all bus riders should be wearing seat belts as this was a large 20 metre vessel, not a canoe or kayak.
From our annual collection of drowning statistics, the Lifesaving Society knows that lifejackets will most certainly save lives in smaller vessel situations. However, even organizations committed to drowning prevention such as the Lifesaving Society and the Canadian Safe Boating Council realistically recommend that mandatory legislation would read, "All operators and passengers should wear lifejackets or PFDs, when they are in all sizes and types of kayaks, canoes and self-propelled vessels and all other types of craft that are 6 meters or less in length, while passengers are on deck and while the boat is underway."
To compare with other jurisdictions, 40 US states and some parts of Australia have mandatory PFD legislation, but only for children (mostly under 12 years of age) in small craft. While the Lifesaving Society would encourage similar legislation here, our statistics show that males in the 18 to 34 year old category account for a larger number of drownings in BC (40% in 2015 to date).
The Tofino incident is tragic, but thanks to responsible operators and evidence-based Transport Canada legislation, these incidents are rare in BC waters. We hope to never see another one like it. (Image Albert Titian/Facebook)
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Competition
KLSSG Debuts at the 2015 Kamloops Lifesaving Classic
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The newly formed Kamloops Lifesaving Sport Group (KLSSG) had their debut at the 2015 Kamloops Lifesaving Classic Meet at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre.
The KLSSG is comprised of swimmers age 11-18 years old; many are current or former competitive swimmers of the Kamloops Classic Swim club. The group was formed through a partnership with the City of Kamloops, Kamloops Classic Swimming, and Lifesaving Society BC & Yukon representatives.
Sixteen Lifesaving Sport athletes competed in four events; 50 m Obstacle Swim, 100 m Lifesaving IM, Line Throw, and 50 m Manikin Tow with Fins. The meet was combined with the KCS Fall Jamboree Swim Meet to enhance the calibre of the event by the use of Swim BC Officials, the Omega electronic timing system and the championship atmosphere.
The next Lifesaving Meet will be held in April 2016 during the Spring Long Course Swim Meet.
For more information on the KLSSG contact:
Heidi Ogilvie, Technical Director
Kamloops Lifesaving Sport Group
P: 250-828-3660
E: lessons@swimkamloops.com
W: swimkamloops.com
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Professional Development
Ripple Effects
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The 11th bi-annual BCRPA Ripple Effects conference took place October 21 to 23 at the Pinnacles Hotel in North Vancouver and was acclaimed by many as the best yet. With the Lifesaving Society and Canadian Red Cross as partners, BCRPA hosted a record number of nearly 130 delegates.
The opening keynote address from Dr. Steve Beerman was informational and inspiring with many concurrent sessions referring back to his session. A wide array of topics from air quality in pools to the aquatic life in Iceland provided something for everyone to learn and take back to their community. As always, the networking was an important part of this conference.
The final keynote from Paralympian and world record holder Elisabeth Walker-Young brought the room to their feet as she endearingly related her start as a ‘pool rat’ and her experiences at several Paralympic Games.
The next Ripple Effects conference will be merged with the 2017 World Conference on Drowning Prevention to be hosted by Lifesaving Society Canada at the Westin Bayshore Hotel. Put the week of October 16, 2017 in your calendar and budget now to take advantage of the rare opportunity to attend an international aquatics conference in Vancouver!
We would love to hear about your experience at the Aquatics Workshop! Your feedback helps to keep the Workshop relevant and valuable for the future.
Please complete the delegate survey below, by November 6, for a chance to win free admission to Ripple Effects 2017.
Complete the Delegate Survey now.
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First Aid
Update on CPR and First Aid Guidelines
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Changes in first aid and CPR protocols are made every 5 years based on a review of the latest scientific research. The most recent recommendations were released on October 15, 2015 by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) in collaboration with the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada and the American Heart Association.
The Lifesaving Society is collaborating with its national partner agencies to ensure a consistent Canadian interpretation of the new science and best practices applied to resuscitation and first aid protocols. The Society will study the recommendations in detail before determining what changes, if any, may be required in Lifesaving Society training programs and literature.
Lifesaving Society instructors, examiners and lifeguards should not change their teaching, evaluation or performance of resuscitation or first aid skills until the Society officially announces changes to its programs and literature.
Instructors and examiners should continue to follow Lifesaving Society Award Guides for the performance requirements for Lifesaving Society certifications. The Society will advise when any changes are to be introduced.
If you have any questions, please contact us at awards@lifesaving.bc.ca
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Around the Branch Office
Farewell
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After 15 years of amazing commitment to the Lifesaving Society we are sad to report that Kathy Fedyk will no longer be working with us.
Kathy began with the Society in August 2000 as a receptionist and provided a new standard of customer service that endeared her to anyone she dealt with. Her computer expertise and ability to self-teach brought our web presence to a new level.
For the Branch’s Centennial year of 2011, Kathy and her husband spent an incredible amount of time combing the archives and compiling an historical timeline and an excellent video showing photos and video footage from the early days of the Society in BC. It was a passion for both of them and added a great deal to the Centennial celebrations.
Kathy saw many Affiliates and office staff come and go while being a mentor and friend to many. We’re sure that many of these relationships will endure. She will now be moving on to spread her sunshine and positive spirit to others in some capacity. We wish her well and know that it’s the ‘end of an era.’ Thank you Kathy!
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Professional Development
Advancing Your Career in Aquatics
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Recreation professionals help people improve their quality of life. It is a profession that builds people and by this action builds communities.
The two-year Langara Recreation Leadership Diploma Program is for students who like to work with people and help them experience the benefits of quality recreation.
We spoke to two graduates of the Langara Recreation Leadership Diploma about their experience and how their education has helped them to advance their career in aquatics.
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Lisa Coleman is an Aquatic Programmer at Canada Games Pool in New Westminster. She is responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of all aquatic programs as well as supervision, training, mentoring and development of staff.
Prior to her studies, Lisa began working in aquatics in 2004. She worked as a lifeguard and swimming instructor and later began teaching Lifesaving programs including Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross as well as Aquafit classes.
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What drew you to the Recreation Studies program at Langara?
It was a practical program that would teach me skills I could apply to my job and also to help me obtain a higher level position within the field of recreation. I liked the close location of the Langara campus and knowing that I would be going to school with people who were all working in recreation really appealed to me.
How has your education contributed to success as an Aquatic Programmer?
My education gave me confidence, exposure to different areas of recreation, an understanding of the scope of recreation and introduced me to a whole new network of people who 6 years later I still continue to keep in touch with.
What do you find most rewarding about a career in recreation?
Working in recreation is never boring. Every day is different and there are always new challenges. I think the most rewarding thing about my job is that I get to do so many different things from staff training, mentoring, programming, marketing, the list goes on. It keeps things fun and interesting.
Finding a job after graduation is a challenge for many post-secondary students. What was your experience searching for a job after graduating?
I had been in aquatics all my life and while I was going to school I was still working part time in aquatics. This made it easier for me to find a job after graduation. I knew I wanted to stay in aquatics so I sought out an aquatic internship while taking the Langara Recreation program which was also a huge help. I was the Assistant Aquatic Programmer at the Newton Wave Pool in Surrey. My experiences and knowledge I gained from my internship greatly assisted me in obtaining a job out of school. A posting came up right as I was graduating in 2009 for an Aquatic Programmer position at Canada Games and I wasted no time in applying. I got the job and the rest is history.
What advice would you give a Lifeguard at your facility if they were interested in advancing their career in aquatics?
Take advantage of all the facility has to offer! Teach aquatic leadership courses, do specialized training like Aquafit, diving, coaching, etc. Keep building your aquatic portfolio and it will pay off. Make connections, meet people, check out new facilities, put yourself out there. The more experience you can get the better.
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Taylor Venner is a Lifeguard/Instructor and Community Services Assistant 2 for Athletic Field Operations with the City of Surrey.
Before completing the Langara Recreation Leadership program, aquatics was, and still is, a major part of his life. Taylor was in swim club for twelve years and water polo for nine competing in the Jr. Worlds in Volos Greece with the U20 Canadian National team.
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How did your previous aquatic experience help you during your program?
I strongly believe that my background in both aquatics and athletics gave me the work ethic that I needed to complete the program while balancing a job with the City of Surrey. Without my experience in aquatics my life would be completely different.
How has your education contributed to success in your current role?
Having just recently graduated from the Langara Recreation Leadership program, I am still noticing how my education has contributed to my ability to be successful in aquatics and has provided me with applicable knowledge.
What do you find most rewarding about a career in recreation?
The most rewarding aspect of a career in recreation is seeing the final product that you present to the public. Organizing a successful event or lesson and seeing patrons smiling or developing their own skills makes all of the hard work you put into the project worth the time and energy.
What advice would you give a Lifeguard at your facility if they were interested in advancing their career in aquatics?
I would strongly recommend the Langara Recreation Leadership Program to any Lifeguard looking to further their career in aquatics. If you already have the program in mind, take the time to set-up informational interviews with professionals in the field who have similar leadership styles to yourself. It is a great way to network as well as to develop your reputation in the industry.
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Feature Product
Allerject Recall Notice
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Sanofi Canada is voluntary recalling all Allerjects currently on the market to include both the 0.15 mg/ 0.15 mL and 0.3 mg/0.3 mL strengths.
The products have been found to potentially have an inaccurate dosage delivery - in Canada, 9 suspected device malfunctions were reported out of an estimated 492,000 units distributed.
None of these device malfunction reports have been confirmed and no fatal outcomes have been reported among these cases.
All Lifesaving Society Instructors will continue to teach candidates about the Allerject in First Aid and National Lifeguard courses unless otherwise directed.
For more information on this recall please visit Sanofi Canada.
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Fall 2015/Winter 2016
Calendar of Events
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2015 World Conference on Drowning Prevention
November 4 to 6
Penang, Malaysia
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D.B. Perks Scholarship Application Deadline
January 31, 2016
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