Basic swimming ability is a fundamental requirement in any meaningful attempt to eliminate drowning in Canada. This is what the Lifesaving Society’s Swim to Survive campaign is all about. This drowning prevention program aims to reduce drowning by 50 percent within 10 years.

Why is the Lifesaving Society introducing Swim to Survive?

• We believe swimming is a life skill that all children need to learn. It’s no different than fire safety or street proofing.
• Our research shows that most drownings occur close to safety.
• After bicycling, swimming is the second most popular activity in Canada among school-age children between 5 and 12 years of age. The Lifesaving Society wants to make sure they each have the basic skills to survive.
• Swim skills are not innate – they need to be taught – and all children deserve the chance to learn.
• Swim to Survive is an important first step to being safe around water. If every child in Canada could pass our Swim to Survive standard, we would reduce the number of drownings by half.