Natural Invironments
Quebec’s natural environments offer exceptional landscapes and countless opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, hiking, cycling, or skiing, or simply to enjoy nature in peace and quiet. Whatever the activity, proper preparation and safe practices are essential to making the most of the outdoors.
How to Properly Fit a Lifejacket
Wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of drowning during boating activities. However, to provide optimal protection, a PFD must fit properly.
A PFD that is too large, too small or improperly fastened may lose much of its effectiveness when it is needed most. Read more
Safe Practices for Outdoor Activities
Activities in natural environments often take place far from emergency and other essential services, which can result in significant delays when an emergency occurs.
Here are four tips to help you stay safe and alert during outings on or near rivers. Read more
Stand-Up Paddleboarding: How to Prepare for an Outing
Incidents involving stand-up paddleboard (SUP) users are not uncommon. In 2021, six people found themselves in distress on Lac Saint-Jean on the same day, and a young man tragically drowned during a SUP outing in Charlevoix.
With the sport’s growing popularity since 2020 and its increasing accessibility, the Lifesaving Society would like to remind new paddlers of the risks they may encounter and the importance of being properly prepared. Read more
Enjoy the Best of Fall, Safely
With its crisp air and vibrant colours, fall is the perfect season to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, such as hunting, fishing and hiking.
However, the gradually cooler temperatures can pose a risk when participating in activities near or on the water. Since the water is already very cold at this time of year, the risk of hypothermia in the event of an unexpected fall into the water is particularly high. Read more
Near the Water, Think Safety
Nautical and aquatic activities are an important part of summer recreation in Quebec. With its vast network of lakes, rivers and other bodies of water, the province offers countless opportunities for swimming, paddling, fishing and recreational boating.
To fully enjoy these activities in a safe environment, responsible behaviour is essential, whether near, on or in the water.
Here are a few recommendations for an active, enjoyable and safe summer season. Read more
Caught in a Rip Current
Swimming in the waves can quickly become dangerous when a rip current pulls a person away from shore despite their efforts to swim back. Rip currents, also known as rips, can form in any body of water where waves break across a wide stretch of shoreline.
They generally occur in areas where the depth of the bottom varies, particularly around sandbars. They can also form near structures such as docks and jetties. Read more
Best Practices Guide for Owners and Operators of Waterfront Sites
Research and coroners’ investigation reports show that drowning deaths in waterfront environments are often associated with specific behaviours, such as being unaware of the hazards associated with rivers, overestimating one’s abilities, attempting risky feats, and acting without considering the potential consequences.
It is therefore essential to raise public awareness of the potential risks and accidents associated with recreational activities in waterfront areas and on natural bodies of water. Read more