Newfoundland and Labrador has one of the highest drowning rates per capita.

Brian Harris from the Red Cross says one of the keys to preventing these deaths is preparedness.

He say nobody talks about the worst case scenario every time they go out, but it could make all the difference and that’s the conversation we need to be having.

Harris says talking about safety and ensuring you’ve got the right equipment in case the worst should happen can make all the difference.

This includes having flotation devices and ice picks if you’re travelling over ice, as well as keeping a cell phone in a water proof bag accompanied by a flare or whistle.