In an era where smartphones have become permanent extensions of our hands, the Lifesaving Society has issued an urgent warning to parents and caregivers: put down your devices when supervising children near water. The stark message comes amid rising concerns about water-related fatalities across Canada, with distracted supervision emerging as a critical factor in preventable drowning incidents.
“What we’re seeing is deeply troubling,” explains Barbara Byers, public education director for the Lifesaving Society’s Ontario branch. “Parents are physically present but mentally absent. Their eyes are on screens instead of their children, and those few seconds of distraction can have devastating consequences.”
Recent data compiled by the organization reveals that drowning remains the second leading cause of preventable death for Canadian children under 10 years old. Even more alarming is the finding that in approximately 75% of child drowning cases, adults were present but not actively supervising at the moment of crisis.
The Lifesaving Society emphasizes that drowning often occurs silently and rapidly. Unlike dramatic portrayals in movies, where victims thrash and scream, real drowning typically happens without sound or conspicuous movement. Children can slip underwater in seconds, with catastrophic outcomes occurring in as little as 20-60 seconds—roughly the time it takes to read a text message or scroll through social media.
“Water safety requires undivided attention,” says Dr. Christopher Gordon, pediatric emergency physician at Toronto Children’s Hospital. “I’ve treated too many children whose caregivers were just a few feet away but distracted by phones. These aren’t negligent people—they’re ordinary parents who didn’t realize how quickly tragedy can strike.”
The water safety campaign addresses what experts call “supervision deficit disorder”—a phenomenon where adults are physically present but mentally disconnected from their supervisory responsibilities. The Society recommends implementing a “designated water watcher” system at gatherings near water, where adults take turns providing undistracted supervision in 15-20 minute shifts.
Provincial data indicates particular risk at private residential pools, where supervision standards are often more relaxed than at public facilities. Last summer alone, Ontario reported 12 drowning deaths involving children under 10, with eight occurring in backyard pools where adults were present but temporarily distracted.
“The psychology behind this is straightforward,” explains Dr. Elena Mikhailov, behavioral psychologist specializing in parental attention patterns. “Our devices trigger dopamine responses that make it extraordinarily difficult to resist checking them, even when we know we should be focusing elsewhere. Parents often overestimate their ability to multitask in these situations.”
The Society’s campaign offers practical guidance for parents and caregivers: establish “phone-free zones” near water, use waterproof phone cases with lanyards if emergency contact is necessary, and understand that even shallow water presents drowning risks for young children.
“We’re not asking for perfect parenting,” Byers clarifies. “We’re asking for present parenting when it matters most. Twenty minutes of undivided attention near water can be the difference between a fun summer memory and an unthinkable tragedy.”
As summer temperatures rise and water activities increase across the country, the message is clear: when it comes to water safety, nothing on your phone is more important than what’s happening in the water. In a world of constant digital distractions, could this reminder be the most important notification parents receive this summer?
