It takes three minutes of submersion in water for a persons heart to stop; after four minutes irreversible brain damage begins. Ever since I moved here, we had always heard of different drownings, and it wasnt until this past season somebody decided to actually do something about it.. Sturgeon Lake, Minnesota. I didnt know, yet there I was I was male. Last year in 2020, there was a total of 108 Great Lakes drownings in 2021 reported. WBBMs Mike Krauser talks with Dave Benjamin, Executive Director at the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project about the risk of drowning and water safety. 09/02/2022 LAKEWOOD, OH Adam J. Schwertner, M-38, Olmsted Falls Schwertner, was reported missing to Westlake police on Sept. 2. Information is not being delivered effectively or efficiently to the public.. It doesnt do you any good if your life jacket just sits in the boat. We asked if lifeguards would ever come back to South Haven? Two other important tips from the Coast Guard: avoid alcohol and wear a life jacket. City officials countered that the pandemic interfered with their ability to recruit and train lifeguards and argued that rescues could put guards at risk of the virus, The Times reported. Hiring full-time lifeguards is a significant, on-going budget commitment which is a challenge for lakeshore communities, Hawke noted. If youre stuck in a rip current, first flip on your back. According to GLSRP data, overall since 2010 they have tracked 858 Great Lakes drownings. Thats according to a tally by the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, a nonprofit water safety group that keeps a comprehensive database of Great Lakes drownings. The project wants everyone to learn the drowning survival technique; flip, float and follow. He said that according to the World Health Organization, drowning continues to be a neglected public health issue. 07/12/2019 The News Dispatch Busy weekend for Beach Rescue Unit Tragic drowning one of several calls about Lake Michigan, 07/10/2019 WSBT 22 Crews back on Lake Michigan to find missing teen, what they now call a recovery operation, 07/09/2019 WSBT 22 Officials give water safety tips after a dangerous weekend on Lake Michigan, 07/09/2019 WSBT 22 Facebook Live Michigan City, IN Water Safety tips, 07/09/2019 The Herald Argus Search continues for missing swimmer South Bend teen went under Saturday evening off Washington Park, 07/08/2019 ABC 57 Lake Michigan the deadliest of the Great Lakes07/08/2019 The News Dispatch Weather hinders search in Lake Michigan SB teen missing since Saturday off Washington Park, 07/07/2019 Herald Argus SB teen missing in Lake Michigan. Knowing how to swim is not enough. As of April 9, there have been five drownings in the Great Lakes so far in 2020, three in Lake Michigan. We dont advocate pier jumping, but we know people will do it. Officials said 16 people drowned in Lake Michigan in 2021 and six people drowned in each of Lake Huron, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Their swimming endurance may be down, even if their confidence is not, he said. But, out of the 582 drownings since 2010, only five wore life jackets all of whom died because they were in really cold water for a prolonged time, says Bob Pratt, the projects director of education. It was during one of those breaks that Gerard, owner of the Third Coast Surf Shop, noticed commotion near the pier. In addition to the confirmed drownings, there are an additional 3 drowning incidents where the victims were last listed as Critical Condition, Unknown Condition, Serious Condition, or Missing. 06/05/2017 ABC 7 Weather service warns of high waves at Chicago beaches It was training day for lifeguards at Whihala Beach in Whiting, Ind., where the strong winds and choppy waters actually created the ideal conditions for water safety education. The Coast Guard recommends you play it safe. For those who arent from Michigan, the power of the big lake is often underestimated. 09/11/2020 Chicago Sun-Times Young woman pulled from Lake Michigan in cardiac arrest on South Side First responders pulled her from the water Friday afternoon near 87th Street. Since 2010, 631 people have drowned in the five Great Lakes; and 295 of those drowned in Lake Michigan. 06/18/2017 ABC 57 Michigan Lake named deadliest Great Lake Over half of the drownings in the Great Lakes so far this year have occurred in Lake Michigan. It could be a matter of a few weeks depending on the complexity of the situation. It was a deadly weekend on the Great Lakes, according to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, an organization that tracks drownings on the Great Lakes. 06/21/2020 NBC 5 Illinois Coronavirus Updates: New Social Distancing Ambassadors, More People at Beaches Water Safety Concerns Are on the Rise as More People Head to Area Beaches. 10/25/2020 MLIVE Why most Lake Michigan beaches dont have lifeguards despite repeated drownings. Awards Conferred 2019-2020. Bokun has read too many stories about people whove drowned in that lake without the stereotypical image of flailing arms and desperate screams. 09/24/2017 Holland Sentinel A much better summer: Drownings down from 2016 Five people died in Ottawa County waters last year. Then, a Lake Superior limnologist shares new evidence suggesting that algae blooms can survive winter temperatures. The key is not panicking. So far this year, at least 10 other people have drowned in Lake Michigan, according to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. Another option Benjamin suggested, updating the signage to be specific to the dangers at the beach, is already underway. People assume drowning is a lot of waving, yelling and splashing as a long traumatic even at the surface of the water, but when someone is drowning it often appears as if theyre treading water, Benjamin said. Keeping in mind three simple steps if you find yourself in dangerous water can be a life saver. Normally, Michigan City doesnt start their lifeguards until Memorial Day weekend, he said. His cause of death has not been determined. 08/13/2020 WISN The Milwaukee County Parks Department decided to close McKinley Beach for the rest of the summer after three people have drowned in rip currents. I want to get the word out and make this a wonderful turnout for this incredible deserving family.. Ive written too many columns on drowning deaths in Lake Michigan. 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. The weather can change at the flick of a switch with the wind and the waves. Strong winds and high waves contributed to the deaths of two kayakers at Lake Superior following a two-day search, officials said. The DNR called it a tragic accident; the contributing factors: overloading of the kayak, operator inexperience and passenger behavior. One former lifeguard said with so many deaths the lack of a lifeguard on the beach is dangerous. He owned a michelada mix business called MixChelada. Did you know? When they hit that pier, they go out and around that pier and one of the duties of lifeguards at that beach is to keep people from swimming in the water around that pier, said Benjamin. Dave Benjamin with the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project says hes seen lifeguards save lives in New Buffalo. The meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, and will focus on gathering public feedback on the draft of the new general management plan. The two kayakers who went missing in Lake Superior at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore have been identified as Troy resident Kimberly Aiello and David Delegato of Shelby Township. Almost half of those drownings take place in Lake Michigan. Unfortunately, a drowning person can climb all over you, and a drowning person can take you under, Benjamin said. Since drownings happen within minutes, calling 911 to summon help often means first responders end up recovering bodies rather than saving lives. A few days later, Hamburg fisherman Robert Maccubbin, 50, died after apparently going overboard from a raft into the 46-degree lake off of Athol Springs. We train harder than professional athletes in many cases. Theres this thing called the stigma of drowning, Benjamin said. Each year since 1994, Lake Superior Magazine has chosen an organization or individual to honor for making a significant contribution to the well-being of Lake Superior and its people. The water beckons visitors like a dip under a waterfall. 07/07/2020 WBBM News Radio 780 Swimmer In Critical Condition After Being Pulled From Lake Michigan Near Grant Park. There were four drownings in Lake Erie and four more in Lake Superior, where a father and three children ages 3, 5 and 9 drowned when their kayak overturned near Madeline Island off Bayfield, Wisconsin. died despite efforts to revive him the National weather service says waves could be as high as 6 feet today through the evening great lakes Surf Rescue Project says more than 30 people have down like michigan illinois and other States, 08/22/2019 CBS 2 Chicago 34 Drownings In Lake Michigan So Far This Year, Advocacy Group Says, 08/20/2019 Detroit Free Press Warren teen falls in Lake Huron at Port Austin, nearly drowns, 08/06/2019 WTMJ 4 Search for missing swimmer changed to recovery effort, 08/06/2019 MLIVE Search continues for teen who went missing in Lake Michigan, 08/06/2019 MLIVE South Haven residents push for lifeguards after rash of Lake Michigan drownings, 08/06/2019 Holland Sentinel Report shows Lake Michigan drownings up 87 percent, 08/05/2019 CBS 3 WWMT UPDATED South Haven public brings lifeguard concerns to city council, 08/05/2019 CBS 3 WWMT South Haven public scheduled to bring lifeguard concerns to city council, 08/05/2019 CBC 2019 on track for record number of Great Lakes drownings. At Tuesdays meeting, several people gave suggestions of limiting the area where swimming is allowed to a shallower depth. 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 (+/-). In addition, check local sandbar formations. Accomplished kite-surfer Jeff Biehler, who owned Biehlers Village Square Liquors in Hamburg, died after taking to Lake Erie on a warm and gusty afternoon on Aug. 15 and running into trouble in choppy waters. She called the Coast Guard and 911, but the calls kept dropping. These are things every parent should know and are reasons to watch your kids like a hawk, Benjamin said. The terror. 08/19/2018 Fox 6 2 killed, 1 in critical condition in separate drownings this weekend; bringing total to 64 across Great Lakes Unfortunately the boy in critical condition died. If theres a red flag out there dont go in the water, said Adam Bueling, assistant manager of beaches and pools for the Chicago Park District. In November of that same year, she went to the Port Sheldon Township Board and pleaded for warning signs and other safety equipment. Were going to have a lot of people at the beach, Benjamin said. We couldnt go on at our current expenditures like nothing is wrong because we would have been out of money by July 15. Being able to swim is not the same as being able to survive a drowning event, he said. He woke Friday morning to find he couldnt get back to shore because 3- to 4-foot waves were crashing over the walkway. Theres a huge disconnect. People blame the victim., Benjamin added: Thats getting in the way of getting funding for public education. Its false. MICHIGAN (WPBN/WGTU) The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Projects debuted its latest water safety illustration to address the dangers of offshore winds and side-offshore winds. Story about the drowning: The body of Samuel Clark was found floating in Lake Superior near Barker's Island Marina on August 30. That means there may be bacterial contamination. 06/05/2017 Lakeshore Public Radio Dont become another drowning statistic. Last year was the deadliest on the Great Lakes since the GLSRP began tracking drownings in 2010. One thing for sure is it takes a community willing to come together to prevent drownings. Its always cold, so thats a concern, he said. The Chicago Park District assigns each beach a color-coded flag. At around 3 minutes of submersion, the heart stops. We noticed that at that time there was no signage about the rip currents or the dangers of Lake Michigan, James Schmidt said. Drowning is a huge, huge problem. That was the sobering message Barker Middle School students received at the beach this week via Bob Pratt, the executive director of education for the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. Forsythe Jr. was attempting to bring a fish on to the boat when he lost his balance and entered the water. This summer with this grant (through the Indiana Department of National Resources), we can provide 24 hours of lifeguard in-service training for each Lake Michigan lifeguard.. Certificates: 199; Diplomas: 156; Associate Degrees: 642; Total: 997; Note: Full-Year Equivalent (FYE) is defined as total student credit hours divided by 30. 08/27/2018 9 and 10 News Ohio Man Dies After Falling Off Frankfort Pier into Lake Michigan. Some people are pretty unhappy about that. Waves of 2 to 4 feet had been forecast for the lake Monday, with wind gusts up to 20 mph, resulting in potentially dangerous conditions for boaters and swimmers.