The Lifesaving Society encourages all backyard pool owners to
fence in their pools on all four sides and to ensure the pool gate
is securely fastened, self-closing, and can be locked
when the pool is not in use.
The recommendation for latched access from the house may seem
excessive; however, safety experts, including the Lifesaving
Society, strongly believe it is especially necessary to protect
toddlers, even those who are just visiting, from inadvertently
accessing a backyard pool when the door is left unlocked or
open.
Most North American municipalities require only a three-sided
fence (with the fourth side being the house).
Learn to Swim
Basic swimming ability is a fundamental requirement in any
meaningful attempt to eliminate drowning in Canada. The Lifesaving
Society offers training programs from learn-to-swim through advanced lifesaving, lifeguarding and leadership.
Our Swim for
Life program stresses lots of in-water practice to develop
solid swimming strokes and skills. We incorporate valuable Water
Smart® education that will last a lifetime.
Swim to
Survive is a Lifesaving Society survival training program. Swim
to Survive is not a subsititute for swimming lessons; instead, it defines the
minimum skills needed to survive an unexpected fall into deep
water. People of all ages should be able to perform the Society's
Swim to Survive standard.