1. B
In 2000 (the most recent data available), there were 472 drownings in lakes, pools and rivers across Canada. Many of them could have been prevented.
2. C
Boating victims are almost never found wearing a PFD. (Only 12 per cent of recreational boating drowning victims were wearing a PFD properly at the time of the incident.) The law requires boats to be equipped with an approved PFD or lifejacket of an appropriate size for each person on board.
3. C.
Children under 16 are not allowed to operate a personal watercraft.
4. C.
Almost three out of every four children who drown in swimming pools are under five years of age. From 1996 to 2000, there were 67 pool drownings under age 15, of which 49 (73 per cent) were in the 1 to 4 age group. It only takes a few moments lapse in supervision for a young child to drown in a back yard pool.
5. A.
Impaired operation of a vehicle is a Criminal Code offence, with strict penalties and high fines - with good cause. About 1/3 of all boating fatalities involve alcohol.
