Ottawa's waterways are beautiful — but they can be deadly, and the city's police service wants residents to understand just how seriously they take water safety.
The Ottawa Police Service's marine, dive and trails unit held a drowning prevention event this Monday, giving the public a rare look at the specialized gear officers use when responding to water emergencies on the Ottawa River, the Rideau River, and the region's many lakes and canals.
What's in the Kit
The unit's equipment is purpose-built for fast, safe rescues in challenging conditions. Officers work with dry suits and wetsuits that protect against Ottawa's notoriously cold water temperatures — even in summer, the Ottawa River can run dangerously cold beneath the surface. Alongside those, the team deploys throw bags (ropes designed to reach a struggling swimmer quickly), personal flotation devices, and inflatable rescue boats capable of navigating shallow or debris-filled water.
For dive operations — the kind needed when a person or vehicle goes under — officers rely on full scuba gear, underwater communication systems, and sonar equipment that can locate submerged objects even in low-visibility conditions. Nights and murky river water are no match for the unit's tech.
Why These Events Matter
Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in Canada, and Ottawa is no exception. The city sits at the confluence of three major waterways, and each summer brings a tragic handful of preventable drownings — often involving people who underestimated currents, water temperature, or their own swimming ability.
Events like Monday's are designed to close that knowledge gap. By showing the public what a rescue actually looks like — and how quickly conditions can deteriorate — the marine unit hopes to nudge Ottawans toward safer choices: wearing life jackets, swimming with a buddy, and staying away from fast-moving water after heavy rain.
The Unit's Broader Role
The marine, dive and trails unit isn't just a rescue squad. Officers also patrol the Rideau Canal, Ottawa River, and city trails year-round, responding to everything from boat collisions to missing persons searches in wooded areas. In winter, the same team handles ice rescues — a sadly regular occurrence in Ottawa winters when people venture onto ice that isn't as solid as it looks.
The unit works closely with Ottawa Fire Services and Ottawa Paramedic Service, with the three agencies often responding together to water emergencies under a unified command structure.
Stay Safe This Summer
With the long weekend and swimming season now in full swing, Ottawa police are reminding residents of a few basics: always wear a life jacket on open water, never swim alone, avoid alcohol near water, and keep a close eye on children at all times near any body of water — including backyard pools.
If you see someone in distress on the water, call 911 immediately rather than attempting a solo rescue, which can put both you and the victim at greater risk.
Source: CBC Ottawa. Reporting by Omar Dabaghi-Pacheco.
