Nova Scotians are already taking advantage of the warm weather by hitting the water.
However lifeguard coverage doesn’t start at provincial beaches and parks until July 1st.
Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service Special Projects Director Paul D’Eon is sharing tips to stay safe in the water when it’s unsupervised.
He talked about the most common drowning’s they see.
“A lot of the drowning related incidents are males and under the influence of alcohol,” says D’Eon. “So alcohol and aquatic activities don’t mix.”
Some tips from D’Eon are to keep kids close, swim with friends and swim close to the shore.
He adds they have an expression for your first time entering unknown waters: feet first first time.
D’Eon also says this is also a time of year when many people are taking their boats out for the first time.
“So make sure your equipment is working properly, that you have the proper safety equipment and check the weather. A lot of people think it’s nice and sunny and we all know, in Nova Scotia, how quickly that can change and the waves can come up.”
He says everyone aboard should be wearing a life jacket.