Approach swimming holes with caution, warns Lifesaving Society

A safety group is warning the public about the dangers of local swimming holes — and says conditions can be unsafe even on days when the sun is shining and the winds are low. 

The warning comes on the heels of a near-drowning in Flatrock last week, when 19-year-old Josh Conway was pulled under by a current.

• 'Don't screw around with Mother Nature,' says swimmer caught in Flatrock current

Scott Walters, with the Lifesaving Society Newfoundland and Labrador branch, says the public shouldn't be complacent about safety, no matter how exciting it is to see the sun. 

"In Newfoundland here, you want to take advantage of the sun while you can and after all that heavy rain that we would have had the previous few days it makes the river run faster," said Walters.

"You have to be careful that just because it's sunny out, doesn't mean that rough conditions in the river are over."

According to Walters, there is always risk involved when swimming in areas that don't have lifeguards on duty — much like the popular swimming hole Conway visited.

"There's always inherent risks around being in the water, but one of them is to never go swimming alone. This person was saved because there were other people around the swimming hole that were able to rescue him," he said.

"You shouldn't go swimming alone, don't go swimming at night, never combine alcohol and a swimming area like this, or any swimming area at all."

While the Flatrock spot has had at least one drowning fatality, Walters said people don't have to stay away from swimming holes altogether — so long as the appropriate precautions are taken.

"It's just an entertaining place to play and you always have to balance risk versus reward and, as much as there are accidents here, there are also tons of people who come out and have a great time," he said.

"You just have to be vigilant, be properly trained and have the proper safety precautions in place when you're using it."