Drowning can happen quickly and silently. In Québec, it remains the leading cause of injury-related death among children aged 1 to 4.
Most incidents involving young children occur in a family pool or at the home of someone they know, often during a brief lapse in direct adult supervision.
Key takeaways
- Designate one adult as the water watcher, with no phones or distractions.
- Stay within immediate reach of toddlers and weak swimmers. Swimming lessons reduce risk but never replace supervision.
- Pools must be protected by a compliant enclosure when required by Québec regulations, with gates that close and latch automatically.
- A child can drown in very little water. Empty wading pools, bathtubs, buckets and containers immediately after use.
- In an emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately and begin CPR if the child is not breathing normally.
- No single measure is enough. Supervision, controlled access, swimming skills, lifejackets and emergency preparedness work best together.
How should you supervise children around water?
Clearly designate one adult as the water watcher. This person should keep the child in sight, remain close and avoid phones, prolonged conversations and other distractions.
- Stay close: Stay within immediate reach of toddlers and children who are weak swimmers.
- Hand over clearly: If the responsible adult must leave, the child should leave the water or supervision should be clearly transferred to another adult.
- Don’t rely on lessons or toys: Swimming ability and lessons reduce risk but never replace adult supervision. Inflatable toys and swimming aids are not lifesaving devices.
How do you make a backyard pool safer?
Pools must be protected by a compliant enclosure when required by Québec regulations, and gates should close and latch automatically.
- Check gates, latches, fences and access points regularly.
- Keep furniture, equipment and other climbable objects away from the pool.
- Remove floating toys after swimming so that children are not tempted to reach for them.
What are the pool fence requirements in Québec?
Requirements depend on the type of installation. Pool owners should confirm compliance with their municipality.
Can a child drown in shallow water?
Yes. A child can drown in very little water. Empty wading pools, bathtubs, buckets and containers immediately after use.
Lakes, rivers and boats
Near lakes and rivers or aboard a boat, children should wear a properly fitted and fastened lifejacket. A flotation device does not replace supervision.
Be ready for an emergency
Caregivers should learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and keep a phone and rescue equipment nearby.
What should you do if a child is drowning?
Remove the child from the water without placing yourself at risk, call 9-1-1 immediately and begin CPR if the child is not breathing normally.
- Remove the child from the water without placing yourself at risk.
- Call 9-1-1 immediately.
- Begin CPR if the child is not breathing normally.
- Use an automated external defibrillator (AED) if available.
- Follow the dispatcher’s instructions.
What symptoms need medical attention after a submersion?
After a submersion, breathing difficulty, persistent coughing, unusual drowsiness or a change in behaviour requires urgent medical assessment.
No single measure is enough
At Bina Clinic, we emphasize that no single measure is enough. Supervision, controlled access, swimming skills, lifejackets and emergency preparedness work best together.
Official sources
- INSPQ: Prévenir les noyades chez les enfants
- Gouvernement du Québec: Prévenir la noyade
- Gouvernement du Québec: Sécurité des piscines résidentielles
This article provides general information and does not replace a personalized medical assessment, diagnosis or treatment.
