Manitoba has had seven media reported drownings so far in 2018.

Most recent data from the Lifesaving Society shows an average of 23 water-related fatalities per year between 2006 and 2015. This is National Drowning Prevention Week.

Jane Hansen is a local lifeguard. She says when a person is drowning, their distress can look much different in reality compared to what it might resemble in the movies. On TV, the person drowning is often screaming for help and waving their arms. According to Hansen, when a non-swimmer is drowning, they might just silently slip below the water.

"They generally are not yelling for help," she explains. "Simply because they are trying to get another breath and so if they do manage to get their heads above the water, they are gulping in air and don't have time to yell."

Hansen says if you are out swimming and notice someone struggling in the water, only extend your arm if you yourself can touch the bottom.

"If you are in water where you would be over your head, I would never, ever go into the water to help them out," urges Hansen.

She says in scenarios where you can not touch the bottom, it is recommended to use the reaching assist method. That means extending a towel or life jacket for them to grab onto and then pulling them in. Hansen warns, if you can't touch the bottom, the person in distress will grab onto you and pull you down with them.

If you are out swimming and get tired in deep water, Hansen suggests flipping over and lying on your back. This will allow you to float and relax. You could then also yell for help while on your back because at that point your face is no longer in water.

Meanwhile, Hansen says parents have a huge responsibility when taking their kids swimming. If there is a lifeguard on duty, they are there to watch all children, they can't keep an eye on just one family. Hansen says a parent's responsibility is to watch their kids vigilantly, staying within arm's reach of young children.

"Stay in a position in the water where you are in deeper water than your kids," urges Hansen. "So that the deep water is behind you and your children are in front of you in shallower water."

According to Lifesaving Society Manitoba, 81 percent of those who drown are male. Twenty-five percent of drownings are by those between the ages of 20 and 34. The Lifesaving Society reports lakes, ponds and rivers are where most drownings occur.