As the winds travel farther north, the winds will also create waves and dangerous currents such as long-shore currents, rip currents and structural currents, Benjamin said. And those life-saving devices work. You wouldnt try to put your seatbelt on during a car crash. If you ask anyone anywhere in the United States, What do you do if your clothes catch on fire? they will tell you, Stop, drop and roll. But ask them What do you do if you are drowning? and youll most often get silence and blank stares, explained Dave Benjamin, executive director of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (www.GLSPR.org). 07/12/2017 WCMU Public Radio 2017 may be deadliest year on Great Lakes Its important to understand what drowning looks like for two reasons, one so you can spot someone whos in dire need of flotation, and two if you ever find yourself struggling in water and doing the signs of frowning you stop doing the signs of drowning and flip, float and follow., 07/09/2017 WTMJ 4 414Ward How to prevent drownings, 07/03/2017 UpNorthLive Your Health Matters: Increase drowning awareness, 07/03/2017 NBC 5 Man Dies Trying to Rescue His Nephew in Water Near 63rd Street Beach, 06/30/2017 MLIVE East Grand Rapids working to prevent drowning with SwimEGR, 06/30/2017 Northwest Indiana Times NWI surfers featured in film Southend, 06/30/2017 The Detroit News Michigan Rescue: Reduce Drownings, 06/28/2017 WJR News Talk 760 a.m. Dave Benjamin of the Great Lakes Surf Project talks to Paul W. Smith about the dangers of Lake Michigan rip [currents] tides. Thats where the need for education comes in. From shore, Freeman had been keeping a close eye on her kids in the water when she noticed they drifted down a bit. 04/11/2018 WSBT New Buffalo leaders consider cutting lifeguard program Having no lifeguards at the beach makes it a lot less safe. Lifeguards are trained to recognize the signs of drowning, which Benjamin said many people misunderstand. Knowing how to swim doesnt mean you wont drown, Benjamin said. Drowning death rates vary from state to state. The childrens mother, Cari Mews-Fryman, 29, was later rescued by a passing ship captain, according to a report in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Once again Great Lakes drownings are on a record pace when compared to previous years, Benjamin said. Knowing the statistics helps look for who is more likely to get into trouble. 74 drownings in 201087 in 201199 in 201267 in 201354 in 201455 in 201599 in 201688 in 2017117 to date in 2018740 since 2010, To date in 2018 by Lake:43 in Lake Michigan5 in Lake Superior8 in Lake Huron36 in Lake Erie25 in Lake Ontario117 to date in 2018, 625 Great Lakes Drownings since 2010 (+/-). The lakeshore attracts local residents and visitors alike and some may not be aware of the powerful impacts that strong winds, storms and high water levels can bring. Many public pools may be closed or have delayed openings, which means that many more people will be going to the beach.. 08/26/2019 NBC 5 Chicago Lake Michigan Safety Warning Strong winds and dangerous waves continued to kick up on Chicagos lakefront Monday after a weekend in which two people died in drownings. Add in record high Lake Michigan water levels, which can create bigger waves and stronger rip currents, plus erosion that has reduced the size of some beaches, and its no wonder Great Lakes water safety officials are worried. LAKE MICHIGAN =40 plus 4 critical orunknown condition, Lake Michigan Critical or Unknown Condition = 4, Lake Ontario Critical or Unknown Condition, LAKE MICHIGAN = 46 Plus 6 listed in Critical Condition, LAKE MICHIGAN6LastListed in CRITICAL CONDITION, 2012Great Lakes Drowning Statistics = 99; 260 since 2010, 2011Great Lakes Drowning Statistics = 87; 161 since 2010, 2010Great Lakes Drowning Statistics = 74433, 09/23/2020 MLIVE Lake Michigan Documentary The Deadliest Great Lake, Good Morning AmericaBoater helps rescue toddler stranded on inflatable duck, Inside EditionToddler Sobs as He Drifts Out on Lake Michigan on Giant Duck Float, NBC 5 ChicagoClose Call Caught on Cam on Lake Michigan After Toddler on Inflatable Duck Carried Away by Wind What began as a peaceful day at the lake in Michigan City, Indiana, quickly turned to panic Monday afternoon. Pratt said nearly half of all drowning deaths take place on Lake Michigan, a powerful body of water thats often underestimated. The tremendous force and energy thats created reverberate some length down the beach and there are going to be conditions where I dont think its going to be safe even with those safety features in place.. They absolutely came in handy, Wright told the paper of the rescue in high winds and choppy water. Benjamin has given classroom presentations in Oak Lawn, Palos Heights and Blue Island this past spring. Dr. Houser and Vlodarchyk found the number of drownings were lower than the historical average early in the pandemic, but the number began to increase as stay-at-home orders were lifted. Yet theres so little education regarding water safety, and we live on the shores of one of the most beautiful lakes in the country., Erin Breen, a kindergarten teacher at Marsh Elementary School, said, Living in a beach community, our kids need this training. Theres usually no screaming or thrashing in the water. Specifically, as stay-at-home orders were lifted and residents were able to visit the beach, there was an increase in the number of drownings close to the main city centres.. Since pools closed for summer, more people are heading to the beach. Most deaths occurred on Saturdays, suggesting people were visiting beaches close to home, not away on holiday. Daniel Saik, 66, of Niagara Falls, Ont., whose body was recovered Aug. 31 along the lake shoreline in Burt. He talks about a recent rescue effort that he personally joined in, at Washington Park beach in Michigan City, and offers tips to swimmers when they step into Lake Michigan. Through the efforts of the city and ArcelorMittal, two girls were rescued in rough waters on Tuesday, the mayor said in late July. Of course, residents are used to having lifeguards at the Washington Park beach. It was the first mistake, of several, documented in the report. Dave Benjamin is executive director of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. So, thats what motivated me to take the position that this year were not going to have lifeguards., 05/11/2020 HF Chronicle After nearly drowning, Homewood man works for prevention. The boy washed up on shore after a short time. Just last week a father and daughter died after being rescued from dangerous currents in Lake Superior. According to GLSRP data, overall since 2010 they have tracked 858 Great Lakes drownings. 07/28/2017 Detroit Free Press 5 teens rescued from Lake Michigan, 3 hospitalized This year, 49 people have drowned in the Great Lakes, at least 22 of them in Lake Michigan, where hidden rip currents are known to pull people away from beach areas, causing them to panic. I never thought of any of that before jumping into the water, Bokun said. His first novel, The Treasure of Namakagon (2012), features a boy in an 1883 northern . One thing for sure is it takes a community willing to come together to prevent drownings. Benjamin said a lifeguard would have an immediate impact. He was recovered and lifesaving measures were taken, but he succumbed. Since drownings happen within minutes, calling 911 to summon help often means first responders end up recovering bodies rather than saving lives. Donovan Andersons body was recovered from Lake Michigan near Carthage College on Sept. 12, 2018. Ive written too many columns on drowning deaths in Lake Michigan. In 2020, at least 50 people have drowned in Lake Michigan, according to the Great Lake Surf Rescue Project, which tracks drownings. You know there have been drownings over the years, but its not until you start adding them up that you go, Wow, she said. After a record year for drownings in Lake Michigan in 2020, the number of drownings in the lake and across the Great Lakes waterways are up year over year as of July 4, 2021. The diver, whose identity has not yet been released, was taken to Northshore Evanston Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Tolle died shortly after 1 p.m. Monday. The training was conducted by the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. Good swimmers drown, Benjamin said. Instead, drownings are subtle and look like someone with their head above water. Boys dont know that, moms dont know that. NBC 5s Regina Waldroup has the remarkable story. Don Olson from the DNR said that the most visited parks are along Lake Michigan, and that state parks surrounding other Great Lakes have less visitors. Recognizing the unique qualities of this resource, the United States and Canada are working to restore and protect the Lake Superior Basin. The presentation will include information about drowning statistics; the signs of drowning; survival strategies, including flip, float, follow; how, why and where dangerous currents occur; basic water rescue; and basic water resuscitation. The two summers this decade warmer than this past one 2012 and 2016 were the equally deadly years on the Great Lakes. 05/04/2018 Holland Sentinel 3. What we hope is that, perhaps through our tragedy, more harms can be prevented, and lives can be saved, James Schmidt said. 04/12/2018 WSBT No lifeguards this summer? And several deaths each year occur when people are blown or washed off breakwaters, docks, cliffs and other similar nearshore structures. Speakers from theGreat Lakes Sea Grant Network,National Weather Service,Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project,universities, and many others will share the latest science, techniques, and technologies. Flip, float and follow should be second nature to them the way stop, drop and roll is. However, the Park District is still looking to hire more lifeguards. And if youre drowning education comes from what youve seen on movies and television, you may miss the moment when your help is needed most. Call or text during the show to 312-591-8900. Advance registration is required for the meeting. You change the attitude and position of the bow which causes more water to come under the bow, which could cause someone to think they were sinking, Schmidt said. Another resolution aims to educate middle and high school students about water safety. According to the Great Lakes Surf and Rescue Project, 2017 has been the deadliest year for the start to drowning season. The stigma surrounding drowning, as well as the lack of industry-backing and scarce funding, also contribute to the epidemic, said Benjamin. We asked if lifeguards would ever come back to South Haven? I didnt know that panic is the first stage of drowning. Weve talked about defining a swim area that would be no farther than 4-feet deep and move it away from the pier, White said. I didnt know that 80 percent of all drowning victims are male. 06/09/2020 MLIVE Double drowning tragedy underscores danger of Great Lakes The thing about drowning is its 100 percent preventable, said David Benjamin, executive director of public relations at the Great Lakes Rescue Surf Project. MUNSING, Mich. (WLUC) - UPDATE: The body of the second kayaker that died on Lake Superior near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore was recovered on Friday . A cargo and passenger steam ship that suffered a number of maritime accidents before its final wreck into the Manitoba in Whirefish Bay. Any month of the year there is the potential for high waves in the Great Lakes. 06/07/2017 UpNorthLive Benzie County nurse, Barbara Smith, recognized as hometown health hero She was awarded for her water safety advocacy efforts at the State Capitol during public health week in April. The south sides (windward sides) of all piers will be the most turbulent and dangerous spots on Lake Michigan.. Since 2010, the project has reported 710 drownings on the five lakes, 291 in Lake Michigan. Warning people about the dangers in Lake Michigan. At least 29 people have downed in Lake Michigan so far in 2020, according to the Great Lake Surf Project, which tracks drownings. Its not like the movies, with a lot of splashing and yelling, he said. Two other important tips from the Coast Guard: avoid alcohol and wear a life jacket. A green flag means there are no swim restrictions, and the water quality is good. According to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, at least 99 people drowned in the Great Lakes in 2016; 622 since 2010. The Pacific north-west's heat dome-related surge to record temperatures has already been blamed for a spate of water deaths . Most public swimming pools will be closed due to COVID-19 concerns and other entertainment options such as fairs and festivals are getting canceled for the summer season. Hawke said it would be great to have the funds to pay for lifeguards. Shortly after 6:45 p.m., emergency crews found the body of the missing person in the water close to the marina. According to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, there have been eight drownings, along with one unknown condition, at Lake Michigan since Jan. 1. I didnt know, yet there I was I was male. 07/17/2018 WNDU Facebook Live Beach Safety, 07/17/2018 WNDU How to know if its safe to swim in Lake Michigan, 07/17/2018 Holland Sentinel Second man drowns in Allegan County in two days. Another water safety tip Benjamins notes is when renting a kayak or paddle board, you should always ask for a safety briefing beforehand and make sure there is a leash attached to the equipment so you can be pulled back to shore if you have any problems. Superior is the coldest, deepest, and highest in elevation of any of the Great Lakes. 10/25/2019 NBC 5 Brandt Miller In 2012 the GLSRP pioneered the Flip, Float, and Follow drowning survival technique to the public and media, and here is a Chicagoland woman crediting it for saving her life when she was on vacation this October. The mans death, Pratt said, marks the 560th fatal drowning on the Great Lakes since 2010. About the Author: Bayfield County, WI, author, James Brakken, began writing in college when "Muskie Madness," his story of a fishing trip with his father, appeared in Boy's Life Magazine in 1974. While the water provides plenty of great opportunities for fun, it is important to take precautions and be safe because summer fun can turn to tragedy quickly. A 66-year-old man from Kensington, Minn. Douglas County, Minnesota. I think thats had a lot to do with paddle-boarding and an increase in the amount of watercraft on the Great Lakes.. Officials began a search by 6p.m. A U.S. Geological Research Vessel, the Kiyi, saw a light in the distance, and found Mews with the kayak. 07/15/2019 WZZM 13 Water safety advocates continue push to bring back lifeguards on Michigan beaches The drowning of a boy in South Haven has ignited the debate again if Michigan beaches need lifeguards. The man was fortunate because Sunday was one of the last days lifeguards were on duty this season. 06/11/2020 WNDU TV 16 Safety reminders on avoiding beach hazards this summer, 06/11/2020 WNDU TV 16 Great Lakes Beach Hazard & Safety Awareness Week.