Like many organizations, the Lifesaving Society is concerned about the spread of the H1N1 influenza virus. The Society suggests that its affiliate members follow the recommendations of their local health authorities in developing policies and procedures to prevent the transmission of communicable diseases among their staff, participants and members of the community.

People who are sick should not participate in programs. The Society recommends that affiliate members review and adopt policies that encourage people to stay away from lessons or practices if they are sick. This may mean providing “rain checks”, credit notes or refunds for lessons missed.

The H1N1 virus is a new strain of influenza that can be transmitted from person to person. The Lifesaving Society believes it is important for individuals to continue to practice behaviours to prevent contamination and spread of this disease. All individuals should take the usual health precautions and usual prudent personal hygiene steps.

The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends the following to reduce an individual’s exposure. More information is available at their website www.fightflu.ca:

• Wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Cough and sneeze into your arm, not your hand.
• Get the H1N1 flu shot.
• Keep common surfaces clean and disinfected.
• If you are sick, stay home.

We offer these additional tips for Instructors, Coaches and Lifeguards:

• Adopt protocols to clean and disinfect equipment between users.
• Don’t share towels, water bottles, whistles, gloves, masks or fanny packs.
• Meet and greet without hand or face contact.
• Maintain your personal space at about an arm’s length away.
• Don’t share food or clothing.

The Lifesaving Society – Canada’s lifeguarding expert – is a charitable organization working to prevent drowning and water-related injury through its training programs, Water Smart® public education, water-incident research, safety management services, and lifesaving sport. Annually, over 700,000 Canadians participate in the Society’s swimming, lifesaving, lifeguard and leadership training programs.

For any questions, visit www.lifesaving.org or contact us at experts@lifesaving.org.

Barbara Kusyanto, Chief Administrative Officer
Lifesaving Society – Alberta & North West Territories Branch
11759 Groat Road, AB T5M 3K6
Telephone 780.415.1755 Fax: 780.427.9334
E-mail: experts@lifesaving.org
Web: www.lifesaving.org

Communiqué · Communiqué: Lifesaving Society Program Delivery & H1N1 · H1N1 · Lifesaving Society · Lifesaving Society - AB/NWT · News Release · Program Delivery

If its foreseeable, it’s preventable! As the Lifeguarding experts in Canada for the past 45 years, the Lifesaving Society provides expertise and services beyond lifeguard training programs. Coming this November, the Lifesaving Society will be piloting and launching new safety management programs for professionals in aquatic programming, facility management, swimming pool operations and recreation. These programs won’t
leave you puzzled.

http://www.aqua-edu.com/docs/AlbertaLifesavingSociety-SMI2009Promo.pdf

Registration & Location details are available online. www.lifesaving.org

Safety Management Institute 2009

Know how to manage the risks and operate safe facilities. The Lifesaving Society Safety Management Institute 2009, in Edmonton, AB is available to members, affiliates and the public. The benefits of recognizing and assessing the risks in recreation and aquatic environments is essential for public safety in all communities. Owners, operators and designated safety personnel need to have the education and capacity to ensure they have an appropriate safety and supervision plan in place.

Aquatic Management Training. For those who want the skills and knowledge to enable them to operate aquatic facilities to a standard established by provincial legislation and the Lifesaving Society. Prerequisite: none

aquatic safety inspector. For those who want the knowledge and practical experience to inspect aquatic facilities to a standard established by provincial legislation and the Lifesaving Society. Prerequisite: none

aquatic safety auditor. For those who want the knowledge and practical experience that
will enable them to conduct safety audits of aquatic operations within a community, through a process established by the Lifesaving Society. Prerequisite: Aquatic Safety Inspector

SEE auditor. For those who want the knowledge and practical experience that will
enable them to conduct Supervision evaluation & Enhancement (SEE) system audits of lifeguard and instructing operations at supervised swimming pools and waterfronts, through a process established by the Lifesaving Society. Prerequisite: NLS Instructor/Examiner

Drown · Lifesaving · Lifesaving Society · Lifesaving Society - AB/NWT · Safety · Safety Management · Safety Management Institute

Media Release – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Drowning Report 2009

September 4, 2009
Barbara Kusyanto, Chief Administrative Officer
PH: 780-415-1755 | EMAIL: experts@lifesaving.org
Alberta & Northwest Territories Lifesaving Society

STAY AFLOAT WITH THE FACTS

~ making our communities a safer place to live, work and play ~

Edmonton, AB – The Lifesaving Society has released the 2009 Drowning & Injury Prevention Report
for Alberta (AB) & the Northwest Territories (NWT).

The most current data available and collected by the Lifesaving Society reveals that in 2007, alcohol or
drugs were a factor in 34% of AB and 25% of the NWT drowning fatalities. Alcohol involvement is twice
as high among adult male victims then women, and every year, lives are needlessly lost due to
drinking-and-boating incidents. 80% of the Albertans and Northerners who drowned while boating were
NOT wearing their lifejacket.

“Although summer is the busiest boating season, the opportunity for Albertans & Northerners to
recreate in, on and around the water still exists in the fall time,” says Barbara Kusyanto, Chief
Administrative Officer of the Lifesaving Society. Be safe and think ahead. Be prepared for the
unexpected and take the appropriate equipment before going boating.

The Alberta and Northwest Territories Lifesaving Society is the standard setting, certifying body for
public aquatic safety. The Society has a public health and safety mandate for drowning, injury
prevention and active living and fitness.

The 2009 Drowning & Injury Prevention Report provides valuable insight for individuals, organizations
and governments, providing compelling reasons to make specific choices and take decisive actions to
make our communities a safer place to live, work and play.

The Lifesaving Society knows that if Albertans and Northerners would make Water Smart® choices
and learn basic swim survival skills, we could reduce the incidence of drowning and water related
injuries by more than half.

The fact is, while drowning is often silent and sudden, it is preventable!

For additional information or to arrange for an interview, please contact:
Barbara Kusyanto, Chief Administrative Officer
Lifesaving Society Alberta & Northwest Territories
11759 Groat Road
Edmonton, AB T5M 3K6
Office: 780-415-1755 | Cell: 780-289-1792

The Alberta & Northwest Territories Lifesaving Society provides PMTs for print media and PSAs for radio
broadcasts. To receive this information, contact the Lifesaving Society at 780-415-1755 or email
experts@lifesaving.org. For further information on drowning prevention, visit us online: www.lifesaving.org

Drown · Lifesaving · Lifesaving Society · Lifesaving Society - AB/NWT