. Lifeguards not only have to worry about saving a swimmer in trouble, but also themselves. 07/13/2022 SOUTH HAVEN, MI NORTH BEACH PARK WOULD-BE RESCUER WAVES & DANGEROUS CURRENTS 7:30 p.m. Anthony Paul Diehl M-33, of Beaver Creek, OH. Those interested in sharing their opinion about the future of Holland State Park will have an opportunity in an upcoming virtual meeting. We heard a call come over the scanner that a man had fallen off the pier and hit his head, Michigan City Parks Superintendent Jeremy Kienitz said. 05/04/2018 Holland Sentinel 3. In 2019, a total of 48 people drowned in Lake Michigan. Many accidents and incidents near harbor structures occur during the turbulent weather season late in the year and higher than normal water levels pose an added threat, the release notes. Were going to have a lot of people at the beach, Benjamin said. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in five people who die from drowning in the United States are children age 14 and younger. 08/02/2017 David OShaughnessy, M-? Lake Superior College - Institutional Research Source: Minnesota State Operational Data (30 th day) Updated: 3/2/2023 06/22/2020 ABC 57 Man sacrifices life to rescue 8-year-old drowning in Saint Joseph River We see someone in trouble and we immediately want to help, its our instinct to just take action, said Dave Benjamin from Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. It gives kids something to focus on if they are struggling in the water. Register by March 20for the early-bird rate of $49 ($59 after). Ive written too many columns on drowning deaths in Lake Michigan. But her other life on a hilltop overlooking the lake she lives among the descendants of Vikings. A viral post claimed that Lake Superior "has three quadrillion gallons of COLD water," which was "so cold, a dead body will never float to the surface, because the water is never warm enough to grow the bacteria needed to cause a body to float.". The GLSRP is awaiting updates on these incidences. 09/25/2019 The Great Lakes Echo Would lifeguards make the Great Lakes safer? When a drowning happens, people often blame the victim or the parents or Darwinism. What about a life ring or water safety classes and other measures to help educate or offer resources to prevent drownings? He was a football player for Mona Shores High School. The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project is another resource for water safety. When youre floating and in control of your natural urge to panic, you can then wave your arm or shout for help, Benjamin said. 11/17/2019 Valliant News Michigan mission: Reduce drownings Nonprofit groups, such as the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, have been teaching school children of all ages about water safety and what to do in the event of a potential drowning. Since 2010, the GLSRP said there have been 762 drownings in the Great Lakes. In 2020, approximately 3,358,814 deaths occurred in the United States. Its being presented by the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project in partnership with the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, the Great Lakes Water Safety Consortium and the Matthew Kocher Foundation. Basically a remote controlled life ring, or drone, that could be kept at swimming beaches, on board vessels for man overboard situations or in emergancy response vehicles for cases involving potential drownings. Richards says the council has special meetings Thursday and Friday. The configuration of Lake Michigan as well as its residential population density and tourism population density creates a higher probability for accidents; i.e. Search Wisconsin Obituaries. I cant employ enough qualified lifeguards, and we are creating the illusion of providing a lifeguard service; which I dont think is fair to the community or to the beach users.. According to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, there have been eight drownings, along with one unknown condition, at Lake Michigan since Jan. 1. Applicants will have to pass a lifesaving test at a local indoor pool before being hired. Rescuers pulled Jarail C. Lee Jr., from the water at about 6:24 p.m., a little more than an hour after the boy disappeared under the water and did not resurface. Just remember: Flip, float and follow. Water safety is not common sense, but people assume its common sense, Benjamin said. A lifeguards job is to get to the drowning victim before the submersion, interrupt the drowning process, provide flotation and bring the victim back to shore alive, he said. Were utilizing our social media pages to post conditions. Especially the lake, Hoop said. The . The Ashland County Sheriff tells Fox 9 his investigation should wrap up shortly and he expects very similar conclusions. He said not only do Lifeguards save lives, but they educate the public about their specific beach hazards when patrons come to the beach. 07/29/2017 NBC 5 Brandt Miller, Flip, Float, and Follow & Weather App. A green flag means there are no swim restrictions, and the water quality is good. 08/08/2022 SOUTH HAVEN, MI SOUTH BEACH NO LIFEGUARDS YELLOW FLAGS WAVES 2 FEET BYSTANDER RESCUE & CPR This would have been routine lifeguard rescue under calm conditions Kory Ernster, M-22 from Novi, MI. Its for this reason that after Martins death, the city checked the beachs condition each morning to see if it was safe to open. I could no longer swim. There have been 53 drownings in Lake Michigan this year. 08/24/2018 WKYC 16-year-old swimmer drowns at Ashtabulas Walnut Beach; 26 Lake Erie fatalities this year. 11/15/2020 Herald Palladium South Haven officials form committee to address beach, water safety concerns After 3 drownings this year, some residents want to bring back lifeguards Three drownings in Lake Michigan this past summer along with more than a dozen water rescues has prompted City Council members to form a committee to examine whether changes need to be made to the current beach and water safety plan. OVERVIEW OF GREAT LAKES DROWNINGS 01/01/2010 12/31/2019, 74 drownings in 201088 in 201199 in 201267 in 201354 in 201455 in 201599 in 201688 in 2017117 in 201897to date in 2019838since 2010, 2019 = 97Lake Michigan = 48Lake Superior = 5Lake Huron = 8Lake Erie = 28Lake Ontario =8. The body of Emery, who was a native of Hamilton, was recovered later that afternoon about 60 feet from where he jumped in, according to a CTV News report. While many victims who have fallen or jumped off these structures were said to have been very good swimmers, the reality of past statistics paint a sad picture. 11/01/2020 SUP Connect SUP BASICS: WHATS YOUR SWIM SCORE? Since 2010, there have been 854 drownings in the Great Lakes, according to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. Flip over onto their back so they can breath when they want to, float to calm themselves down, float to conserve their energy and then follow a safe course back to safety. A 12th drowning was reported on Lake Ontario. He says people dont realize that the lakes have dangerous waves and undercurrents, too. But Benjamin says jumping in isnt the first thing we should do in an emergency. The Kochers only child, Matt, drowned in Lake Michigan while at camp in 2013 at the age of 15, pulled from the shore by a rip current. Body Recovered 01/19/2023 near Dunkirk in Chautauqua County, New York. Overall since 2010, the GLSRP has tracked 625 Great Lakes drownings. The not-for-profit group says drowning numbers will go down as more people, especially children, are educated about the many aspects of water safety. But leaders with the city say that protection isnt real, and is a liability. There are also another 5 outcomes who are unknown on the other lakes. This year, two drowned. The Superior Fire Department personnel responded to a call that the body of Samuel was found who was underwater for about 12 hours. 08/19/2020 Detroit Free Press 60 people have drowned in Great Lakes this year: How to stay safe For years, the GLSRP has argued the flag system doesnt work. Great Lakes CoastWatch is a nationwide National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) program within which the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) functions as the Great Lakes regional node. Knowing how to swim is not enough. There have been 892 drownings in the Great Lakes since 2010, with the majority occurring in Lake Michigan, according to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. Dave Benjamin is executive director of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. Many deaths in the Great Lakes happen off of these structures, he said, pointing to the pier, and last summer was probably one of the roughest in a few years. A full-time seasonal officer is also assigned to off-road vehicle patrol of the City Beach and state park, Hawke said. read more. With many beaches closed due to erosion, Washington Park will see an increase in visitors, said Dave Benjamin, co-founder and executive director of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. 05/21/2018 Chicago Tribune From one end of the regions Lake Michigan shoreline to the other, officials who oversee beaches are making similar plans to line up lifeguards before Memorial Day weekend, the official kickoff of beach season. 07/30/2018 Kenosha News Water safety initiative calls on greater action to prevent drowning deaths The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project gave a presentation Monday on water safety education to a group that included YMCA Executive Director Cindy Altergott, Somers Fire Chief Carson Wilkinson, John Raquet, and Peggy Burke, a Kenosha resident whose husband drowned in Lake Erie while on a fishing trip, among others. 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. In this most recent drowning, a 10-year-old girl was swimming near the area where the Pike River meets the lake Saturday evening when she began having trouble in the water. 07/26/2022 EAST CHICAGO, IN BOATING Dexter Trendell Sain, M-36, was found in Lake Michigan at Whihala Beach in Whiting around 4 p.m. Tuesday, 08/16/2022. But people often overestimate their swimming ability, Benjamin said. It took him another 38 minutes to float and backstroke back to the shore. There are also life rings, an emergency phone and camera system reinstalled on the pier since the recent catwalk replacement. But along with beautiful sunsets on the shoreline and family memories, the Great Lakes carry danger in their powerful waters. The initial lack of response was not concerning for Parry, he said, as it would be months until lifeguards would be needed. Lifeguards there are working hard to keep swimmers safe. During offshore winds, the water at the shoreline can be deceptively calm, but the farther one gets from shore, the winds become stronger and the water can become choppy. Since 2010, 662 people have drowned in the Great Lakes, with nearly half of those drownings taking place on Lake Michigan. Looking forward to the end of the year, our cash position to me is still concerning, Hoffmaster said. 06/11/2017 Lansing State Journal Bob Pratt, the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Projects director, told the State Journal the Lansing man was 27 years old. Benjamin says that the high water levels are shrinking Lake Michigan beaches. In any water emergency, the Great Lakes Surf and Rescue Project advocates a flip, float, follow strategy. simply said, the more people in and around the water, the more possibility for an accident to happen., Men, especially, are susceptible to drowning. National Drowning Prevention Alliance Lifesaver of the Year Award 2012 & 2020 Community Lifesaver Award 2016 & 2018, 45 of those in Lake Michigan (+6 unknown), (Last updated 12/31/2022, 11:59 p.m. CST), 74 drownings in 201088 in 201199 in 201267 in 201354 in 201455 in 201599 in 201688 in 2017117 in 201897in 2019108 in 2020101 in 2021108 to date in 20221,156 since 2010, 2022 = 108 (+12 unknown final outcome)Lake Michigan = 45 (+6 unknown final outcome or Cause of death)Lake Superior = 6Lake Huron = 12 (+1 unknown final outcome)Lake Erie = 24 (+4 unknown final outcome or cause of death)Lake Ontario = 21 (+1 unknown cause of death), LAKE MICHIGAN = 45 (+6 Unknown Condition or unknown cause of death), 07/12/2022 GARY, IN MARQUETTE PARK SWIMMING WAVES 2 TO 4 Tianna Hatten, F-9 Visitors were able to pull one of the girls from the water at Garys Marquette Beach but the other remained underwater until a Lake County Sheriffs Department helicopter located her in the water and directed responders to her location. There may be a lot of first-time boat buyers on the Great Lakes and they need to understand the basics of water safety like filing float plans, understanding changing marine forecasts, avoiding extra debris in the water, wearing lifejackets, and surviving cold water immersion, Benjamin said. After death, a person's gut and the . Research by science dean Chris Houser and Masters student Brett Vlodarchyk found a significant increase in surf-related drownings on the Great Lakes this summer. Facing shore, mouth at water level, head titled back, their body is vertical, less than one minute until submersion, said Benjamin. Its something that can go unnoticed, unless its being watched. 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. In 2019, Grand Haven State Park and City Beach posted numbered area signs to help get first responders where they are needed more quickly. Benjamin said 80% of all drowning victims are male. Knowing how to swim is not enough. Lake Superior College - Institutional Research Source: Minnesota State Operational Data (30 th day) Updated: 3/2/2023 In 2017, 40 people drown in Lake Michigan. 07/07/2020 Cleveland U.S. Coast Guard saved 45 lives in Great Lakes over July 4 weekend busiest Independence Day weekend in at least five years, conducting more than 100 search-and-rescue cases and saving or assisting more than 300 people throughout the region. East Harbor State Park has a 1,500-foot sand beach on Lake Erie. She was missing and last seen around 2 p.m. that day at a marina on Bridge Street. Currents caused by wind or structures like piers can make swimming in the lakes dangerous. 3. This week Bradford Beach has been crammed as temperatures hit the 70s and 80s. The search was called off at about 4 p.m. Weve used literally everything at our disposal today firefighters, drones, a helicopter, sonar and have been unable to locate the victim at this point, said Battalion Chief Matthew Haerter. Unless you have the darn thing on, it doesnt do you any good, Belanger said. Benjamin says frequent winds from the north cause currents along the shore line. Office Party Entertainment Ideas in Denver Colorado . Even if theres calm water and a light breeze, inflatable beach toys can go out in the water and kids could chase it into water over their head., 07/04/2020 Ionia Sentinel Standard Family hopes memorial plaque reminds swimmers of Lake Michigan dangers, 07/03/2020 Holland Sentinel Family hopes memorial plaque reminds swimmers of Lake Michigan dangers, 07/02/2020 Fox 17 New signs warn swimmers, honor young victim New signs and safety rings were installed in his memory, 07/02/2020 WZZM 13 Beach memorial serves as reminder of water safety Brandon Schmidt drowned in Lake Michigan on August 15, 2018, The township has made some change for water safety which were very appreciative, says Brandons father James Schmidt. And its been one of the most important, too. 08/30/2017 Harbor County News Summer of Saving Swimmers: New Buffalo lifeguards reflect on busy season NEW BUFFALO The lifeguard crew at New Buffalos public beach has been very busy this summer. 08/24/1018 Cleveland.com Ashtabula teen dies after being caught in Lake Erie waves Nugent was not swimming alone on Tuesday, according to a GoFundMe to support his family. Even with lifeguards at many beaches, the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project expects to see an increase in drownings this summer. Place an Obituary. 10/01/2018 Buffalo News For Erie and the Great Lakes as a whole, 2018 ties a deadly record This year has been Western New Yorks deadliest for drownings in Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Dave Benjamin, executive director of public relations and project management at GLSRP, said he was aware of three other likely drownings in the last several days, including a father and son who capsized in Lake Erie and a body that was recovered from Lake Michigan in Chicago. 07/17/2019 The Weather Channel Beachgoers Rescue Kid Who Floated Away winds blew inflatable duck away from shore toward open water. Not yet. And most importantly, Benjamin says you should always have life jackets when around any body of water. In addition theres the lost revenue for closing the beach and negative publicity to overcome with the drowning. Ultimately, the children needed to be rescued. He was to be a sophomore at Waubonsie Valley High School in High School in Aurora.He was so much fun and he was so protective of me, you couldnt ask for a better kid, his heart was so pure, Freeman said. Its the only place they could cool off, and we should have had lifeguards here. The flash of memories. The two summers this decade warmer than this past one 2012 and 2016 were the equally deadly years on the Great Lakes. It may mean theres high wind or high waves or theres no lifeguard on duty.. 08/31/2017 ABC 10 & 13 August Was Deadliest Month So Far on Lake Superior in 2017 Five people drowned in Lake Superior in August, with four drownings in a 2-week span. 06/24/2020 Chicago Sun-Times Plainfield man drowns at Indiana Dunes National Park. 07/29/2019 WBBM News Radio 780 Drownings In Lake Michigan Up 80 Percent Over Last Year: Report, 07/29/2019 9 & 10 News Swimmers at Risk on Lake Michigan: Winds Cause High Waves, Currents, 07/29/2019 Chicago Tribune Lake Michigan Drownings up 80% over this time last year, 07/29/2019 Chicago Sun-Times Drownings in Lake Michigan up 80% over last year: report, Drownings in Lake Michigan account for over half of the total drownings in all five great lakes, 07/29/2019 NBC 24 Drowning victim identified, officials urge water safety, 07/29/2019 Detroit News Warning issued for dangerous swimming conditions on Lake Michigan beaches, 07/29/2019 CBS 3 WWMT South Haven beachgoers swim despite red flag warning of dangerous conditions, 07/28/2019 UpNorthLive GLSRP: Lake Michigan drownings up 80 percent over last year, 07/28/2019 Detroit News Lake Michigan drownings up 80% since last year 51 Great Lakes drownings in 2019; 27 in Lake Michigan, 07/28/2019 Huron Daily Tribune Warnings posted for Monday on Michigan side of Lake Michigan, 07/28/2019 Detroit Free Press Dangerous conditions expected at Lake Michigan beaches Monday. For those folks, Benjamin has some advice: Dont go out in an inflatable raft with an offshore wind, he says. 09/04/2017 Chicago Sun-Times 33 Lake Michigan drownings so far this year; down from 36 last year Thirty-three people have drowned in Lake Michigan so far this year, compared with 36 in the same period last year. 10/02/2020 Great Lakes Commission Lake Michigan drownings surge to new high in 2020 Drownings in Lake Michigan have reached record levels with at least 53 people dead so far this year, according to the water safety advocacy group the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. Invest in lake safety for summer With Lake Michigan temperatures reaching into the 70s, were happy to share Hollands beaches with tourists who come to soak up the West Michigan sun. 05/16/2017 PR CRITICAL UPDATE: Great Lakes Drownings Increase; Water Safety Presentation Wednesday on the beach in Michigan City, Indiana. Emily Richards said the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project organization (including Bob Pratt and Dave Benjamin) has worked with the New Buffalo lifeguards on water safety issues such as board rescue techniques (which she has since used in actual rescues). Largest freshwater lake in the world, one inch of surface water is equal to 553 billion gallons. They should have said something, a 10 year old was just pulled out of the water lifeless. The GLSRP offers the following reminders for those heading to the water over the holiday weekend: 05/24/2019 Star Beacon Take care when boating Many people will be getting their boats out on the water for the first time this weekend. According to Cook County Medical Examiners office, the diver, David OShaughnessy, died of asphyxia. This is a lot different than a pool. We are creating the illusion of providing a lifeguard service, which I dont think is fair to the community or to the beach users.. 08/06/2018 UpNorthLive Safety tips for swimming in the Great Lakes It blows my mind that water safety curriculum isnt in the state, statewide, because youre always near a body of water, said Dave Benjamin, the executive director of The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. 06/20/2020 ABC 7 Lake Michigan lifeguards emphasize water safety on 1st day of Summer to prevent unintentional drownings. If you dont understand that youre likely to exhaust all your energy and submerge, he said. Instead, drownings are subtle and look like someone with their head above water. The lawmakers' proposal, HB259, comes after 19 inmates died in Utah jails in 2020 matching a record-high in 2016 that made Utah's rate of inmate deaths one of the highest in the country .