With six people missing from a commercial charter boat that capsized on Sunday, and two recent potential drownings in the province — one on the Elk River near Fernie on June 20, and one in the Columbia River near Castlegar on June 21 — B.C. has now reached at least 20 confirmed drowning fatalities, potentially up to 28, in 2026, according to the Lifesaving Society’s B.C. and Yukon branch.

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“Life-jackets are an essential tool to save lives and can be the difference between life and death after an unexpected fall into water or capsizing of a boat/vessel,” said Lenea Grace, the society’s executive-director.

B.C. drownings: What are the regulations around life-jackets and charter boats? Back to video

According to Transport Canada, every watercraft must have a life-jacket or personal flotation device (PFD) for each person on board. Wearing life-jackets is not necessary for adults, but is mandated for children under the age of 12 in B.C., except in enclosed areas.

“Life-jackets save lives. If you are going to be on or near the water, make sure you have them on, especially youngsters who can’t swim or are weak swimmers,” said Brian Twaites, the paramedic public information officer with B.C. Emergency Health Services.

Twaites said the cold shock caused by sudden submersion in water 15 degrees Celsius or below is a life-threatening safety concern.

“Here in B.C., we have the Pacific Ocean, and many rivers and lakes that are glacier fed, including in Lynn Canyon where water temperatures rarely rise beyond 15 degrees Celsius.

“A lot happens in your body with sudden immersion in cold water. Your body has an automatic fight-or-flight response,” said Twaites. The body uncontrollably gasps for air, even underwater. If your head is underwater, you will bring water in.

“That gasp is followed by hyperventilation, strain on your cardiovascular system. Cold water incapacitation can occur within minutes,” said Twaites.

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Cold water incapacitation causes the arms and legs to rapidly lose strength, muscle control and motor skills, preventing self-rescue.

A properly fitted life-jacket will keep your head above water in the event you lose consciousness. A PFD is generally lighter and trimmer than a life-jacket, and will help you float, but won’t keep your head above water.

“If you do fall into the water, don’t panic. Focus on controlling your breathing, keep your airway above water, balance yourself in the water, and lie on your back if you can. Don’t swim immediately, but get control of your breathing and your panic first,” said Twaites. “If you don’t get control of the panic and breathing, you will get into trouble.”

If you can’t get yourself out of the water, use the heat escape lessening posture — also known as the HELP position — by bringing your knees up to the chest and bring your arms in around your knees, which will slow the escape of heat from your body.

Per statistics tracked by the Lifesaving Society (www.lifesaving.bc.ca/watersmart-education) in partnership with national drowning incident researchers, B.C. has now potentially reached up to 28 fatalities since Jan. 1.

While the circumstances of B.C.’s recent drownings vary depending on activity type, weather conditions, water temperature, swim skill level of the victims, and more, the most common factor has been the non-use or misuse of life-jackets, according to the Lifesaving Society.

“The society supports any policy change that ensures that boaters use life-jackets when enjoying time on the water, and urges people of all ages to be role models for safety for themselves and their loved ones during this dangerous year in B.C.,” said Grace.

dryan@postmedia.com