The Elgin County Drowning Prevention Coalition by Peri Hayes Involved for five years and counting, Briar McCaw is Co-Chair of the Elgin County Drowning Prevention Coalition (ECDPC) alongside Mary-Kate Townsend. Meanwhile, Nathan MacIntyre is the Coalition Executive, about which he passionately shares, “The Elgin County Drowning Prevention could represent the framework for other communities to follow.” Briar dedicated her university degree to drowning prevention research, and is committed to directing her efforts where the needs in the community are. With five people on their team, Briar and Nathan express their gratitude for the upward of 30 members who have donated, sponsored, or been stakeholders for the ECDPC.
Guided by the Lifesaving Society Ontario and the Canadian Drowning Prevention Coalition, this pending not-for-profit organization is incredibly motivated to address the increasing number of drownings — and water-related injuries — occurring in Elgin County. As a means to protect community members and tourists visiting the Lake Erie shore, this initiative intentionally directs community attention toward drowning prevention education. Nathan is the Chair of their Rip Current Project, as he informatively voices, “We experience rip currents, not a riptide or undertow on the Great Lakes.” The Rip Current Information Project is its own non-profit corporation, with Nathan as Founder and CEO. The ECDPC is supporting the Rip Current Project within Elgin County, and Nathan is Chair of the Committee along with representing a position on the Board. “Misinformation has been spread for far too long, and this could be such a cohesive drowning prevention machine to spread a standard message,” Nathan declares. National Drowning Prevention Week (NDPW) is ongoing from July 20th until the 26th; an opportunity for the Coalition to integrate perspectives, and welcome the community to learn more about water safety awareness. They will be finalizing the official dates of their events, which will be posted to their social media platforms. NDPW will also entail two free community swims, along with their Life Jacket Fit Clinic -- with tip cards provided by the Lifesaving Society Ontario. The ECDPC is graciously accepting sponsors and volunteers in any capacity of respective interests. As Briar highlights, “The Coalition has come alive through appreciated partnerships. The beauty is that this is grounded in a community effort.” Through diligent advocacy work, the Coalition’s message is to prevent both fatal and non-fatal incidents of drowning. In addition to lakes and pools, it is important to recognize that drowning prevention involves bathtubs, creeks, irrigation ponds, rivers and more. Eager to prepare individuals and families for the various elements, Nathan will be offering his free ‘Understanding Rip Currents’ presentation on the following dates at Springwater Conservation Schoolhouse: May 1st at 6:00 pm, and May 4th at 1:00 pm. Moving forward, Briar and Nathan reveal their interest in facilitating a life jacket wear swap, as well as launching a PDF Loan Program: “Advocacy and ensuring accessible resources are the core pillar of our mission,” Briar emphasizes. Kindly email ecdrowningprevention@gmail.com with inquiries, or visit ecdrowningprevention.com to access their ‘Contact Us’ form and discover further information about this life saving initiative.
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