TORONTO -- As sweltering temperatures lure people to pools, lakes and rivers to cool down, the Lifesaving Society is hoping to prevent drownings among teens by strengthening their swimming skills before they hit high school.
Data collected by the society shows the overall number of drowning deaths nationwide decreased from 409 in 2010 to 347 in 2011.
But the number of drownings among teens aged 13 to 17 was up 18 per cent, from 22 in 2010 to 26 the following year.
Lifesaving Society spokeswoman Barbara Byers says adolescents are at an increased risk of drowning because they are likely to be swimming or boating with groups of friends and without adult supervision.
The new program called Swim to Survive Plus teaches grade seven students the basic skills needed to survive an unexpected fall into deep water.
It also teaches pre-teens how to help a friend who is in trouble in the water without jeopardizing their own safety.
