Calls are increasing for lifeguards or lifesaving equipment at popular swimming lakes after the death of a 17-year-old boy.
Belmont Secondary student Dequan (Keron) McKay slipped under the water’s surface unnoticed at Langford Lake on Saturday, and was found on its murky bottom several minutes later.
Former lifeguard Alison Ambroso, who with two others dove into the water to pull the teen out, is calling for lifesaving equipment on the dock of Langford Lake and all popular swimming lakes to prevent future tragedies.
Kimiko Hirakida, director of programs and services for the Lifesaving Society of B.C. and Yukon, wants to see a personal flotation device station or a life ring at all public beaches.
The life-ring unit can cost up to $1,550 depending on the length of rope included, said Hirakida.
The Lifesaving Society also advocates for lifeguards where feasible and said it is working with the Capital Regional District on the idea, including a proposal for lifeguards at nearby Thetis Lake.
“There used to be lifeguards at Thetis Lake, and it is something that they are considering going back to,” Hirakida said.
Lifejacket loaner programs that are in place at many lakes in B.C. and Yukon have been very successful, she said, adding a new one is coming to Cultus Lake in Chilliwack, organized by an RCMP officer. Hirakida said there also needs to be clear, visible signage at public beaches about risks.
“Even if you can swim in a pool, it’s not the same as swimming in open water,” said Hirakida. “So it’s really important to understand the dangers of open water and doing an evaluation of your site so that you make sure that you understand the depth of the water, the temperature of the water, and any changing conditions.”
Signs should be easy to understand by those who speak other languages, she said, adding she would also support the province offering school-age kids, typically in Grade 3, swimming lessons as well as opportunities to learn CPR.
Ambroso has rued the fact that the many youth and other bystanders at the Langford Lake dock on Saturday didn’t have access to lifesaving equipment or possess the skills to help after the teen went under.
Derek Gent, chief operating officer of the YMCA-YWCA of Vancouver Island, said lifeguards and staff at the West Hills location plan to take part in site orientation and a mini-training exercise at Langford Lake just in case there’s an incident at the lake and they are asked to respond.
Gent said the YMCA-YWCA continues to face a shortage of lifeguards.
“We’re down upwards of 40 lifeguards from pre-COVID,” said Gent. “More are coming onstream now but we’re still shorthanded, as are most folks.”
The YMCA holds its summer camps at Camp Thunderbird at Glinz Lake, where it has lifeguards and lifesaving equipment, he said.
Gent said the news of Keron’s death is another example of why water safety is so important.
Dirk Popen, founder of both First Aid Near Me and Ready Set Kidz emergency training centres, said he was heartbroken to hear of the drowning death so close to home.
“With so many waterfronts in British Columbia and such an active community on Vancouver Island, we need to acknowledge the risks and how we can mitigate them,” said Popen, adding more resources are needed for waterfronts such as Langford Lake, Thetis Lake and Sooke Potholes.
“We have some of the most dangerous lakes in the province right here in Victoria,” said Popen. “Years ago we saw lifeguards on duty at some of these lakes but for over a decade they have been unguarded.”
Proper signage and publicly accessible equipment go a long way, but people won’t know how to use them if they aren’t taught, he said.
“Education is really what we need,” said Popen. “No one should go through life without taking a first aid and CPR course.”
There were 18 drownings in the Island Health region in 2022.
An online fundraising site, at gofundme.com, set up for the teen’s family reached almost $19,000 late Thursday. The goal is $50,000.
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