The Lifesaving Society of Canada found those who have been in Canada fewer than five years are at the greatest risk of drowning. (CBC)

Institutions involved with foreign students need to ensure water-safety education is part of their orientation, the Lifesaving Society of B.C. says.

"I think any organization dealing with international students or new Canadians in general needs to be cognizant of the need for preparation [in water safety]," said the organization's executive director Dale Miller.

"So, making sure people understand the area they're going to, instituting a buddy system and talking about what will happen [and] what actions should be taken if an incident were to occur."

The call comes after a 23-year-old student from Korea almost drowned outside Vernon, B.C., on Friday. The student, who was on a summer study tour at Okanagan College, is in critical condition in hospital.

Earlier this month, a 17-year-old student from China who was going to school in North Vancouver drowned at Alice Lake Provincial Park, near Squamish, B.C.

New Canadians more likely to drown

Miller said the two incidents affirm a report recently released by the Lifesaving Society of Canada that suggested newcomers to the country are at a greater risk of drowning in boating and swimming mishaps.

"We learned new Canadians are more likely to not be able to swim," he said. "They have a higher likelihood of getting into an aquatic emergency."

Miller said the risk for newcomers to Canada is two-fold — they may come from a country where swimming isn't a high priority and they may be in water conditions they're not familiar with.

He said the onus is on institutions to ensure foreign students are trained in water safety.

Okanagan College spokesperson Allan Coyle said new water safety guidelines for foreign students will be introduced as a result of the accident.

"We've been talking about perhaps integrating some water safety orientation into our summer study tours."

Coyle said those changes will be in place by the end of the summer.