Nearly 88 per cent of 166 Canadians who drown each year aren't wearing life-jackets.
The city hopes to help change the odds on National Life Jacket Day on Thursday (May 14) Swim to Survive, an afternoon of challenges, games, personal floatation device and boating safety demonstrations to raise awareness about the importance of wearing life-jackets.
The event at the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre, from 3-6 p.m., is open to the public and participants will have a chance to win a new life jacket.
National Life Jacket Day is an annual campaign by the Canadian Red Cross to promote the use of life jackets and personal floatation devices among boaters.