Its the time of year when thousands of you head to the beach. Educators like Benjamin want the phrase Flip, Float and Follow to become as well known as the Stop, Drop and Roll instructions for those who catch on fire. Plus, he says, theres the cost of lifeguards versus a body recovery. During the first 200 days of the Covid-19 pandemic in Poland, lower morbidity and mortality due to SARS-COV-2 infection were recorded in three regions covered by many small and large lakes (West Pomerania 5.8 deaths/100 000 population, Warmian and Masurian 7.6 deaths/100 000 population, Lubusz 7.3 deaths /100 000 population, compared . Full statisticshere. Signs at the park advise visitors to swim at their own risk. There are also another 5 outcomes who are unknown on the other lakes. This could be a result of whats being referred to as COVID fatigue. 10/31/2018 UP Matters Stay off piers, breakwaters during high winds, storms, wave action Water Dangers. 09/10/2018 WILX Beach hazard issued with high waves, rip currents expected I hoped the Great Lakes drownings would subside after the 13 Labor Day weekend fatalities, but it doesnt look like its going to slow down any time soon, said Dave Benjamin, Executive Director of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. While there may be a little bit of splashing, lifeguards call it climbing the ladder, it will be this vertical motion of just trying to keep their head above the surface of the water, and especially with children it may only last a matter of second, says Pratt. The training was conducted by the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. Benjamin said a Red Cross report showed 54 percent of Americans who say they can swim dont have basic swimming ability to survive a water emergency. First off, life rings really do save lives. Additionally, one person pulled from Lake Michigan was last listed in critical condition, and two scuba divers from Illinois who died in the big lake. And the worst part of this weekend are the people on social media abusing the stigma of drowning and attacking the victims and their family members.. 08/20/2018 WLS THEY SHOULD HAVE SAID SOMETHING Maliks mother, Micah Freeman, said she did not know that a 10-year-old boy had been pulled from the water just an hour before her son went under. I could no longer swim. Swimming parallel to shore typically is the most effective way of getting out of a current. And so we sent out a letter on Feb. 6 announcing that we were going to be recruiting lifeguards; and then we did a press release on Feb. 7. His office is researching a warning system that records wind and wave activity and could set off an alarm or strobe light when its too dangerous to be in the water. If you are planning an event or party, themes are excellent ways to engage your guests and make your celebration one to remember.Discover 32 of our favorite wedding entertainment ideas: 1. The diver, whose identity has not yet been released, was taken to Northshore Evanston Hospital where he was pronounced dead. No drownings were reported in Lake Superior, according to the GLSRP. A wide audience of police officers, firefighters, everyday people and surfers showed up, and the project grew. Lake Superior has been described as " the most . 1. Lake Superior Fun Facts. Benjamin cautioned that most drownings dont look like what happens in a movie people dont wave their arms and thrash around. You need to know how to survive, Benjamin said. 10/08/2022 TOWN OF EVANS, N.Y. Lake Erie Beach Park Point Breeze area John Doe, M-48 According to police, a man was pulled from the water and citizens at the scene initiated resuscitation efforts. 05/28/2020 NWI Times Pandemic squashes hiring of lifeguards, officials say; safety advocates contend dangers ahead, 05/28/2020 Journal Sentinel Wisconsins closed pools, lack of beach lifeguards and high water levels create the perfect storm for Great Lakes drownings. Such was the case with Biehler, the Hamburg kite-surfer. The surviving crew members were rescued by SS Scott, which resulted in fewer deaths than estimated. All in a matter of seconds. Sat. 04/14/2020 Patch Homewood Man Wins Lifesaver of The Year Award Dave Benjamin has been recognized for his efforts to prevent drownings across the Great Lakes. Experts said the distinctive shape of the lake, which is 307 miles long with parallel, uninterrupted shores running north to south, makes it susceptible to dangerous currents. Great Lakes drownings are just the tip of the iceberg of the nationwide drowning crisis., 09/10/2018 WTMJ Non-profit hopes to teach Flip, Float & Follow water safety, 09/10/2018 FB Promo Todays TMJ4 LAKE MICHIGAN DROWNINGS: 33 people who have drowned in Lake Michigan this year. Dave Benjamin, executive director of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, said at least 16 people have drowned in Lake Michigan so far this year, more than all the other Great Lakes combined. Susan Foster lost her son five years ago on the same pier. This year, seven have drown so far. 05/11/2017 LaPorte County Life City of Michigan City Shares Swimming Safety Swimming is a fun and enjoyable activity for children and adults alike, and its an easy way to stay physically active and improve strength, flexibility and stamina, said Park Superintendent Jeremy Kienitz. 07/05/2018 Kenosha News Another tragedy too easily avoided Its happened again someone has drowned in Lake Michigan. Its not like the ocean where there is a lull in the wave. (Link in article.). 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. The release also links to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, a nonprofit geared toward eradicating drownings in the Great Lakes. 04/04/2018 Journal Review Water safety group to debut public safety announcement today via Facebook Live, 03/30/2018 The Herald Argus Flip, float and follow Surf Rescue educator gives advice for surviving in rough water, 03/29/2018 The News Dispatch Bob Pratt, executive director of education at the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, spent the past week providing water safety education to Michigan City Area Schools students, and opened each of their 16 different presentations with the quiz [which ended with, What do you do if you are drowning?. A minute later, irreparable brain damage beings, [and at 10 minutes theres only a 14% survival rate]. The father decided to swim towards the shore with five-year old Annaliese on his back and three-year old Jansen in his arms, yet another fateful decision. 06/11/2017 WLNS 6 Staying safe around water as summer approaches Its shaping up to be a very hot summer and unfortunately that means that well have an increase in the number of drownings, says Bob Pratt, Director of Education at Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. 05/24/2020 Record Eagle Warm air, cold water create deadly situation The frigid water, high water levels and the fact that public pools are closed because of COVID-19 have created the perfect storm for cold water drownings, said Dave Benjamin, executive director of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, a nonprofit that tracks drownings and advocates for Great Lakes water safety. The seven local drownings in 2018 and two others with local connections make up whats also been among the deadliest years throughout the Great Lakes. Benjamin said a lifeguard would have an immediate impact. The project wants everyone to learn the drowning survival technique; flip, float and follow. The waves were 2 to 3 feet, he said, the current running north extremely hard.. Last year was the first season the park had lifeguards on both sides of the creek for the entire week. 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. 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. One thing for sure is it takes a community willing to come together to prevent drownings. What about a life ring or water safety classes and other measures to help educate or offer resources to prevent drownings? Knowing how to swim is not enough; you need to know how to survive.. People drown every year during red flag conditions and every year, the system proves to be a failure. 08/27/2018 9 and 10 News Ohio Man Dies After Falling Off Frankfort Pier into Lake Michigan. 04/23/2018 ABC 57 New Buffalo votes to keep lifeguards this summer The New Buffalo city council voted Monday to keep lifeguards on duty at least for one more summer. Note: * = (+/-) Awaiting 100% confirmation of drowning. 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. Keeping in mind three simple steps if you find yourself in dangerous water can be a life saver. at 8:15 p.m., one operator was thrown into the water. Well talk with the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project about the dangers the lake still poses on these hot, final days of summer into fall. Is Lake Michigan the deadliest Great Lake or just the most frequented? This isnt just a little gasp, like the kind youd experience if somebody jumped out of a closet and scared you, says the National Center for Cold Water Safety. 7 drownings have taken place on Lake Erie this month, including 5 in Northern Ohio. A water safety school curriculum needs to be mandated and funded in the Great Lakes region as well as nationwide. 06/06/2018 CBS 2 Mobile Weather Lab: Drowning Prevention CBS 2s Ed Curran is live with the Mobile Weather Lab to discuss drowning prevention. Lake Superior is a vast fresh water resource that has not experienced the same levels of development, urbanization and pollution as the other Great Lakes. And on a stand-up paddle board, he says, attach the leash to your ankle, which helps you to retrieve the board after you fall off. But the No. The CPD Marine Unit is still searching for that person. Beachgoers behaviours may have become more reckless during the pandemic, leading them to ignore or simply not notice posted warning signs. They can be as dangerous as they are beautiful. Hollinside and Cornelio both drowned Tuesday in separate swimming accidents on Chicagos north lakefront, lured to their deaths by balmy 80-degree-plus air temperatures that belied a fatally frigid Lake Michigan. I know he positively impacted so many during his short time on campus and losing him is going to be difficult.. Preventing these drownings in the Great Lakes can be as easy as checking the weather report. From 2019 to 2020, the estimated age-adjusted death rate increased by 15.9%, from 715.2 to 828.7 deaths per 100,000 population. Schools with pools teach children water safety, but that should happen at all schools, Benjamin said. In open water surf there are winds, waves, dangerous currents, drop-offs and holes, temperature fluctuations of 10 to 20 degrees in pockets, and thousands of people coming and going, he said. County Supervisor Sheldon Wasserman said the drownings at McKinley Beach could have been prevented. This is why lifeguards are so important. Thats why you need a survival strategy. Floating can calm people down. 07/19/2017 South Bend Tribune Paddle in awe of Great Lakes in Michiana and up north The nonprofit Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project reports 45 drownings in the Great Lakes so far this year. Many piers, docks and portions of breakwaters may not be visible above the water surface due to high water and waves. Pretty sweet, 04/18/2018 Harbor County News Dont balance budget on backs of swimmers, 04/14/2018 Southbend Tribune New Buffalo considers eliminating lifeguardsOfficial: Understaffing creates false sense of safety. The park will have 20 lifeguard positions this year, comparable to last year, he said. Our son passed away here almost two years ago, and theyre installing a plaque in his memory along with those safety changes., He was out here at the beach with some friends and unfortunately came under the water and he didnt come up, said James. The Great Lakes saw 118 drownings in 2018, by far the most since the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project began keeping track in 2010. Menu. He hopes the effort will span to all Michigan beaches. Its not like the movies, with a lot of splashing and yelling, he said. Southernly winds blowing this weekend can cause offshore wind conditions for Indiana, side-offshore winds for northern Illinois, southwest Wisconsin, and southeast Michigan. It calls for the U.S. Coast Guard to make safety presentations to students in middle and high schools, in cooperation with the KPD, Kenosha Fire Department, Kenosha YMCA and the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. Ive hosted benefits and fundraisers many times before so I offered to host a benefit, she said. A rescue flotation device also now hangs along the boardwalk to the beach access, just beneath Brandon Schmidts memorial plaque. And float, Benjamin would add. In September 2016, Tyler, 21, went kayaking without a life jacket in Lake Michigan and never returned. Something happens in the water that causes panic. 07/29/2017 NBC 5 Brandt Miller, Flip, Float, and Follow & Weather App. 10/08/2020 MLIVE Letter from the Editor: Lake Michigan drowning video shows the power of nature, and the power of journalism to save lives. Thunder Bay has the highest Opiod death Rate in Ontario. Follow. 07/22/2022 RIPLEY, NY FISHING NO LIFE JACKET Fred Forsythe Jr, M-70 The body of a charter boat captain who fell into the waters of Lake Erie earlier this month have been recovered. Locally, since 2002, there have been 17 related deaths at Lake Michigan beaches from Sheboygan to Kenosha. He was wearing a grey hoody with a RED MTN logo of the front of the sweater that is blue, black and grey in color. 04/04/2019 Kenosha News Safety Around Water coalition plans May event. There were slightly fewer deaths on Lake Erie and no change in the number of deaths on Lake Superior. Here the wave is breaking every moment so it will suck you right out and down faster than you can expect. The warnings come after three boys died this weekend after they were pulled from Lake Michigan in separate incidents. A 12-year-old Chicago Heights boy drowned Thursday at Marquette Park Beach in Gary while visiting the beach with family, according to officials. Bokun has read too many stories about people whove drowned in that lake without the stereotypical image of flailing arms and desperate screams. A person easily can fall into hidden holes in shelf ice, with little chance of climbing out. This is Michigan Lakes highest death count this time of year since 2012. There were 307,205 deaths in Canada in 2020, the year in which the COVID -1 9 pandemic began, an increase of 21,935 (+7.7%) over the 285,270 deaths observed in 2019. 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. Even when it comes to a fun, enjoyable activity like a day at the beach, beachgoers still should understand the risks before going in the water. Knowing how to swim is not enough. My other prediction: There will be more drownings than usual in our nearest Great Lake. About 30 moms, dads and kids learned how to tell when a swimmer is in trouble and some basic first aid that can save lives. Drowning victims often appear to be treading water and often do not wave their arms or yell. The timing of the drownings in Lake Michigan and Lake Ontario appear to be associated with the early reopening phases of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ontario, the two write in their research paper. Last year was the deadliest on the Great Lakes since the GLSRP began tracking drownings in 2010. Since 2010, 631 people have drowned in the Great Lakes, said Bob Pratt, director of education for the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. The Coast Guard encourages anyone who plans to use a watercraft whether a boat, Jet Ski, kayak or canoe to seek the appropriate training first. The week of education programs was part of a larger series of initiatives to improve safety at the lakefront, including larger warning signs, throw bags for police squad cars and the installation of life ring kiosks at areas where there are dangerous currents, including near the mouth of the Pike River and at the North Pier. 07/13/2022 FERRYSBURG, MI NORTH BEACH PARK WAVES & DANGEROUS CURRENTS Ryan Leany, M-16, was visiting North Beach Park in Ferrysburg last evening with a church youth group when he got swept away by the waves. The average underwater visibility of Lake Superior is 8.2 meters (27 feet), making it easily the cleanest and clearest of the Great Lakes. MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) - A Marquette woman has been sentenced to prison for a fatal crash that happened in October 2020. 03/28/2017 WSBT Lake Michigan drownings up 84% in 2016; 19 Great Lakes Water Safety presentations in 9 Michigan City schools this week, 03/27/2017 Northwest Indiana Times Lake Michigan was deadliest Great Lake last year Water Safety School Presentations this week in Michigan City, 03/26/2017 PR Great Lakes Drownings up 78% Last Year over 2015; Water safety presentations this week for Michigan City, 03/20/2017 UpNorthLive Increase in drownings brings high need for water safety education, 03/19/2017 PR 2016 Great Lakes Drownings increased 78% over 2015; Water Safety School Presentations this week in Benzie County, MI. We were told NO MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL WAS AVAILABLE. They released their latest report Thursday. Every year in the United States there are over 4,000* fatal unintentional drownings, including boating-related drowning. Stacy Fishbein, 21, of Vaughan, Ont., whose body was recovered July 28 near Olcott. She died from hypothermia. Bob Pratt, one of the two people who runs the project says there have been at least 640 drownings on the Great Lakes since 2010. 09/03/2020 NBC 5 Body Recovered From Monroe Harbor Four Days Into Search For Missing Boater The body is believed to be that of a 32-year-old man who fell off a boat Sunday evening in the harbor near the 400 block of East Monroe Street, police said. 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. 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 (+/-). Her efforts, which include water safety classes for Madison and Ashtabula students in partnership with the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, earned her the honor as the Great Lakes Water Safety Consortium 2016 Water Safety Superhero of the Year. Brandon Schmidts mother, Brandi Donley, turned grief into resolve, and then action. Find an obituary, get service details, leave condolence messages or send flowers or gifts in memory of a loved one. The 17-year-old boy was with friends when he jumped off the north pier at the harbor and was overcome by strong currents Thursday. 12/27/2019 MLIVE Beach town seeks input on lifeguards, fines for swimmers after spike in Lake Michigan drownings SOUTH HAVEN, MI Residents in a Southwest Michigan city are encouraged to take a survey meant to help city leaders make the shoreline community safer after an increased number of drownings seen in Lake Michigan this year. Not yet. But its more likely school-aged children will die from drowning. 07/28/2017 WLS 7 Life threatening waves, rip currents lead to swim bans The latest statistics from the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project report 49 drownings in the Great Lakes so far this year. 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. The presentation focused on a number of ways people can prevent drownings, including the use of flotation devices, wearing life jackets, knowing weather and water conditions and identifying what drowning looks like. Police said shortly before 7 p.m., Wednesday, their marine unit responded to a report that a person fell off a boat in the Playpen near the Jardine Water filtration plant, was pulled back on the boat. Benjamin decided he wanted to teach others about water safety and drowning prevention, and [organized] a surfboard rescue class in June 2011 [led by Bob Pratt]. Dave Benjamin with the Great Lakes Surf Rescue project couldnt disagree more. It may mean theres high wind or high waves or theres no lifeguard on duty.. The film also features NDPA Community Lifesaver Award winner Dave Benjamin, of Homewood, and drowning survivors Evelyn Hernandez, of Chicago, and Jamie Racklyeft, of Ann Arbor. read more. My sister and I have rescued 17 people, said 21-year-old Emily Richards while setting up for another day of guarding the beach on Friday, Aug. 25. We take the research, statistics and data and break it down, so beachgoers know its one of the leading causes of accidental deaths, which most people dont know, Benjamin said. The Michigan Canoe Racing Association announced in a Facebook post that the kayaker was one of their members. 07/15/2020 Detroit Feee Press 2 children seen running as high waves almost take them underwater, 07/15/2020 CBS 2 Chicago Video Shows Two Kids Nearly Swept Away By Waves On Michigan City Pier, 07/15/2020 Northwest Indiana Times WATCH NOW: Footage of children nearly swept into Lake Michigan amid crashing waves. 09/13/2018 Kenosha News Life rings helping save lives in beach locations There should be no question that life rings are an important step toward public safety. 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. 06/24/2020 ABC 7 CHICAGO Keeping Chicago beaches closed could be dangerous, safety experts say. I was in a structural current. Melissa Zirkle, of Madison, who is organizing the fundraising dinner, said she reached out to the Nugent family because she knew from experience their biggest need, aside from prayers, was help with funeral expenses.