05/04/2018 Holland Sentinel 3. He said if the current forecast for Friday night to Sunday holds true, Lake Michigan will have high and turbulent surf, especially at the south end of the lake. Cargo included 70 tons of Montana silver ore, and the "Comet" has been dubbed the only true treasure ship of Lake Superior. Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron above the seasonal long-term average Thursday, January 5, 2023 . In addition to the confirmed drownings, there are an additional 5 drowning incidents where the victims were last listed as Critical Condition, Unknown Condition, or Missing. The drowning of a 13-year-old girl last summer 30 minutes after lifeguards had ended their shift at Loyola Beach prompted the Park District to plant a red flag at all beach locations when lifeguards were not on duty. The U.S. Coast Guard does a fine job of keeping Michigans waterways safe, but theres clearly a need for more public education and eyes on the water to prevent us reporting on the 700th Great Lakes drowning later this year. Its not worth it. Finally, if you have to choose just one flotation device for your next trip to the beach, he says, make it a U.S. Coast Guard-approved, properly fitting life jacket., 06/07/2018 Detroit News Near-tragedy inspires [Jamie Racklyefts] Great Lakes anti-drowning effort, 07/06/2018 ABC 7 dangerous waves, rip currents make local beaches hazardous. Corporate Party Entertainment Ideas Denver Colorado 01/13/2020. A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist the Nugent family with funeral arrangements. 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. If there is a light offshore wind, it could blow the inflatable object into deeper water where the child or parent could go after it. And when they go after it, he says, swimmers can end up in currents or winds that make it impossible to return. Drownings in Lake Michigan are a statistical surety. Swimming may not even be the right word for what happened. The Chicago area has already had five people drown in Lake Michigan this year. Flip, float and follow should be second nature to them the way stop, drop and roll is. Shipwreck discovered in Lake Superior after 130 years: 'Still beautiful' 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. 04/29/2017 PR Come on out today for a Lake Michigan Water Safety Presentation at the Green Gary Earth Day Celebration Lake Michigan Drownings were up 84% last year over 2015; Tracking 14 Great Lakes drownings in 2017, 04/26/2017 Liquid Adventuring Drowning Its Not Just for Stupid People, 04/23/2017 Journal Sentinel With Great Lakes drownings spiking, rescuers look to education, technology, 04/19/2017 Tinley Park Patch Kochers Receive National Life Saving Award. Overall since 2010, the GLSRP has tracked 740 Great Lakes drownings. Because of the higher water levels and erosion, many beaches will have less beach space, so even as social distancing measures are put in place, beaches could still end up packed.. 08/06/2018 WZZM Tips for surviving a rip current in Lake Michigan Rip currents are quite common in the Great Lakes; here are some survival tips if you get caught in one. 04/01/2017 News Dispatch Staying Safe in the Water MICHIGAN CITY Flip. She was watching the rescue efforts on Friday. But a lack of widespread knowledge that drowning can happen to anyone means many visitors ignore red flags. She called the Coast Guard and 911, but the calls kept dropping. A Wisconsin DNR investigative report reveals a series of errors by the family who tipped their kayak in Lake Superior near Madeline Island in late August, leading to the deaths of the three . 06/21/2017 ABC 7 Floating water park set to open on Lake Michigan in Whiting, Indiana The $300,000 floating playground is a result of a joint venture between the city and the private company. Winds are the primary source of the dangerous currents on the Great Lakes, said Dave Benjamin, GLSRP Executive Director. Beaches There have been 27 drownings in Lake Michigan in 2019. But, he added, less than 5% know a drowning survival strategy such as Flip, Float and Follow when caught in a current or floating on your back and breathing deeply for added buoyancy. 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). Currents caused by wind or structures like piers can make swimming in the lakes dangerous. Chris Houser, UWindsors dean of science and an expert on rip currents, has co-authored a research paper with Masters student Brent Vlodarchyk that found there were 24 more drowning deaths on the Great Lakes this year than average. Hawke said it would be great to have the funds to pay for lifeguards. Experts say too often swimmers overestimate their abilities and underestimate dangerous conditions. Lifeguards are trained to recognize the signs of drowning, which Benjamin said many people misunderstand. We verified what is true using information from the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, a nonprofit that tracks drowning statistics and trains people in water safety, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. 08/18/2022 CHICAGO MONTROSE HARBOR 12:20 AM 200 BLOCK OF WEST MONTROSE DRIVE Francisco Gonzalez, M-38 His body was pulled from Montrose Harbor, hours after a person went missing in the water in Chicagos Playpen area of Lake Michigan Wednesday night, according to CPD. We noticed that at that time there was no signage about the rip currents or the dangers of Lake Michigan, James Schmidt said. We hope that this new illustration can educate the public as fast as these toys can float out.. This is especially true of teenage boys, who are some of the most likely populations to drown. Without a doubt, profoundly, though hes not quite sure how. it will explain why Compression Only CPR is inappropriate for drowning victims). Its surface area is 31,700 square miles (82,000 square kilometers). 04/23/2019 TMJ4 Leaders with the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project report there were 42 drownings in Lake Michigan last year alone. Overall since 2010, the GLSRP has tracked 751 Great Lakes drownings. Other beaches dont have that, she said, adding when unsafe conditions shut down swimming, swimmers sometimes go to an unguarded beach. The year prior to that had a record 117 fatalities. Pay attention to red flag days, where it is not safe to enter the water; bring along flotation devices in case you tire while in the water; and, most importantly, watch out for one another. He said that according to the World Health Organization, drowning continues to be a neglected public health issue. On Friday, his body was found in Lake Superior in Fort William First Nation. According to the Great Lakes Surf and Rescue Project, 2017 has been the deadliest year for the start to drowning season. The project is being headed by the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, with Lifeguards out of Whiting, Chesterton, and Michigan City. Three life rings were installed at the North Pier Monday, joining one life ring on the South Pier and another on the Pike River after a tragic year. Full statistics here. Benjamin said 80% of all drowning victims are male. He was pulled from the water, taken to the hospital and died. None of the victims wore life jackets. 06/07/2018 Post-Tribune Lifeguards train to save lives at Indiana Dunes On a windy day that caused the waves on Lake Michigan at Indiana Dunes State Park to be even more unpredictable than usual, Bob Pratt, Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project director of education, told the group of lifeguards that stood before him that they are going to train until they get it right. 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. I always tell people three things that precipitate an incident. 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. Males overestimate it by about 50 percent.. Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes. 06/06/2017 ABC 57 Training session for Lake Michigan lifeguards Lake Michigan lifeguards participated in an open water surf lifeguard training session Tuesday, June 6th in Michigan City. Flip, Float and Follow is the result of input from a variety of first responders and water safety groups that participated in the Great Lakes Water Safety Conference, sponsored by Michigan Sea Grant in 2011. One hundred people have drowned in the Great Lakes this year, more than any other year since the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project began tracking drownings in 2010. A flag has never gone into the water. Other Indiana beaches with lifeguards include Whiting, Gary, West Beach in the Indiana Dunes National Park, and Indiana Dunes State Park, he said. Exhausted and hysterical, she screamed, My babies, where are my babies?, Mews texted her brother, Coast Guard found me a half hour ago. Grief Support. 09/02/2022 LAKEWOOD, OH Adam J. Schwertner, M-38, Olmsted Falls Schwertner, was reported missing to Westlake police on Sept. 2. The third question Benjamin asks stumps almost everyone: What do you do if youre drowning?. According to the GLSRP, there have been 22 Great Lakes drownings so far for 2019. He said the most important aspect of what he learned was that floating is the key to survival.. 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 . For its broad reaching, solution-finding programs, for its willing Read more. Nearly all of the 30,000 people the organization surveyed knew the answers to those simple questions, and 90 percent of them knew how to swim. Even on a beautiful day like today, they say the Great Lakes can be dangerous. Also, the report states, most people who drown arent wearing life jackets. Southernly winds will be blowing today. The nonprofit annually tracks drownings in the Great Lakes and recently issued a warning about a summer spike in deaths. He was with several others when he slipped and fell into the water around 5 a.m. near the 2600 block of North Cannon Drive, Chicago officials said. Cliff Schmidt is a marine investigator with nearly 40 years experience and a former deputy with the Hennepin County Sheriffs Department. 09/06/2018 The News Dispatch MICHIGAN CITY A man who fell off the pier in Washington Park onto the rocks on Sunday was pulled from the water by lifeguards and taken to a hospital in stable condition. Be aware that icy buildups can increase your risk of falling in even on relatively calm days. The GLSRP recorded 117 in 2018, 07/26/2019 Cleveland 19 Officials warning swimmers of dangers in Lake Erie; 2019 could set record for drownings, 07/26/2019 WZZM ABC 13 NWS warns beachgoers of dangerous swimming conditions Saturday We strongly advise NOT going into the water., 07/26/2019 Detroit News Beware boaters and swimmers: High winds on Great Lakes this weekend Dave Benjamin, executive director of public relations and project management for the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, said looking at the warm weekend, southerly winds can cause offshore wind conditions for southeast Michigan. 06/07/2020 WNDU Great Lakes Beach Hazard & Water Safety Awareness Week runs from June 7-13, 06/03/2020 South Bend Tribune How to avoid crowds and COVID-19 at shrunken beaches of Lake Michigan Michigan City decided against posting lifeguards at its beach this summer, a move that drew sharp criticism from the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project as its director, Dave Benjamin, said, Removing lifeguards will cost lives and the cost to recover a body is much greater than the lifeguards salaries.. 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. We need to make a cultural change, Benjamin said, to teach water safety skills early and often. And theres life-saving flotation devices.. Lake Superior | Great Lakes Guide ], We do such a great job teaching kids about fire safety, tornado drills, earthquakes, school shooters; but the fact of the matter is that drowning kills more people than all of those things combined, Pratt said. And it blows my mind that you have all these beaches with no life guards.. Knowing how to swim is not enough. And 2020 had already been a more deadly year on the lakes than 2019. Benjamin said he hopes to eradicate tragedy with the mantra: Flip, float, follow. Full statistics here. In fact, it's so large that it could hold the water from all of the other Great Lakes, along with three more Lake Eries! 04/14/2017 PR Tinley Park Parents Win National Drowning Prevention Alliance Lifesaver of the Year Award for water safety advocacy after sons Lake Michigan drowning Announces Illinois Water Safety School Presentations May 8 12. The beach also plans to have kayak and paddleboard rentals. 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. He said not only do Lifeguards save lives, but they educate the public about their specific beach hazards when patrons come to the beach. 47.478089N 90.999858W. 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. According to the groups figures, last year there were 97 drownings in the Great Lakes and Lake Michigan claimed 48 of those lives. Follow. This year, seven have drown so far. Unless you have the darn thing on, it doesnt do you any good, Belanger said. Bystanders and medical personnel tried to resuscitate the girl, but she later died in a Buffalo hospital. After 10 minutes underwater there is about a 14 percent revival rate, and most will be left with a traumatic brain injury, Benjamin said. The number nearly doubled the previous year, and was the worst for drownings since 2012. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. 05/17/2017 Chicago Sun-Times Balmy temps and frigid Lake Michigan a lethal mix Tianna Hollinside, 13, and Juan Cornelio, 23, may have never known what hit them before they joined the ranks of Chicagoans who died too young. To him, it speaks to a larger need for overall water safety education. Who. We did one in Port Washington that was completed in four weeks. You could also blame the heat. Ten deaths on Lake Superior were blamed on the storm; 66 died on Lake Michigan and 46 died on land in Minnesota, most of them duck hunters caught unprepared. The rule was coined by Gordon Giesbrecht, a Canadian physiologist who has studied the effects of extreme cold on the body. 09/25/2019 The Great Lakes Echo Would lifeguards make the Great Lakes safer? A local angler in the area recalled saying, Look at that when he saw the family crowded in the small kayak. While some news outlets are claiming Lake Michigan saw fewer drowning deaths this past summer season than in 2016, Dave Benjamin, executive director of public relations and project management for Great Lakes Surf and Rescue Project, says people need to look at the big picture, not just during peak swimming months. Mike was an outstanding young man, great teammate, great student, and a great person, said head football coach Brian Foos. 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. Some Dead Bodies Float in Lake Superior | Misbar 09/10/2017 The Cutoff News Surfing the Region: Filmmaker brings documentary to NWI. 09/03/2020 Chicago Sun-Times Body recovered from Monroe Harbor four days into search for missing boater, 09/02/2020 WZZM Practicing water safety and COVID-19 precautions this Labor Day Weekend, 09/02/2020 Fox 32 Body recovered from Monroe Harbor four days into search for missing boater, 08/31/2020 Chicago Sun-Times Search resumes for missing boater in Monroe Harbor, 08/31/2020 Journal Sentinel Life-threatening swim conditions expected along Lake Michigan beaches on Monday, 08/29/2020 MLIVE 8-foot waves, dangerous swimming conditions forecast for Lake Michigan, 08/27/2020 Record Eagle Editorial: Enjoy the lakes, but approach them with caution. It has done classes in Duluth (in summer, seen here) and we just liked the Baywatch image on its open along with the good statistics on drownings and its safety tips. GLSRP says half of the 44 Great Lakes drownings that have happened so far this year took place in Lake Michigan. Register by March 20for the early-bird rate of $49 ($59 after). When youre floating and in control of your natural urge to panic, you can then wave your arm or shout for help, Benjamin said. Its not like the movies, with a lot of splashing and yelling, he said. First off, life rings really do save lives. The cold water plays a part, the wind and waves cause a part, so unfortunately it turns out to be a tragic situation, says Pratt. Both are coming before the council tonight after at least three drownings over the last four months, including Donovan Anderson, 17, of Kenosha, who died after jumping into the lake at the pier with friends on Sept. 6. 2022 Crime Stats. Now there are warning signs so people understand the dangers of rip currents.. This year is on track to be the worst year on record for the Great Lakes. A total of 96 drownings have been reported on the Great Lakes this year, 33 in Lake Michigan. In addition, the council approved a resolution by Ald. Malewitz says after a very heated public meeting, the city council decided to stay the course for now, and keep lifeguards on New Buffalo beaches. The average elevation of Lake Superior is about 183 meters (600 feet) above sea level. 07/12/2018 NBC More Lifeguards, Signage Called for After Drowning Traged, 07/12/2018 WGN After girl drowns in Lake Michigan, petition seeks extended lifeguard hour, 07/12/2018 Chicago Tribune Darihannes death and lifeguard hours: Dealing with a fickle Lake Michigan, 07/12/2018 Chicago Tribune A nighttime drowning in Lake Michigan and no city lifeguards on duty prompts calls for change. In 2019 the GLSRP is tracking 44 Great Lakes drownings; 22 of those in Lake Michigan. Bubba was a polar bear loved for his personality and playfulness. 05/29/2017 Chicago Tribune Lake Michigan brings both beauty and danger to summer season Benjamin and Pratt partnered with city officials, lifeguards and sponsor ArcelorMittal to host the event, which offered lessons similar to those the pair present to audiences all around the Great Lakes region. 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. If you have a kid, or pretty much anyone and you have them at the beach, put them in a life jacket. Instead of lifeguards, he said, the beach would use existing flags and signs noting that visitors are swimming at their own risk. More than 100 people have drowned in the Great Lakes so far this year, making it the deadliest year this decade already. The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project is working to spread the word about what to do if youre struggling in the water: flip, float, follow. One of the biggest concerns with Lake Superior is the water temperature; it fluctuates very little in the summer time. 05/23/2020 Windsor News Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project looking to flatten the curve of drownings WINDSOR, ONT. 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. The weight of all five in the 13 ft. kayak was 442 pounds, just under its 500-poundcapacity. Paul Jarosik, 38, of Schererville, is on trial this week for the April 2, 2020 murder of Michelle Brown, 46, before Lake Superior Judge Samuel Cappas in Crown Point. Certificates: 377; Diplomas: 128; Associate Degrees: 656; Total: 1161; Note: Full-Year Equivalent (FYE) is defined as total student credit hours divided by 30. Geography of Lake Superior - Geography Realm Susan Foster lost her son five years ago on the same pier. What alarmed him most after reading the report was the type of watercraft used by the family. The panic. Removing lifeguards will cost lives and the cost to recover a body is much greater than the lifeguards salaries.. If you smelled smoke right now, you would look for a fire alarm. 08/01/2020 WZZM Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project to educate on lake safety This comes just days after three people drowned in Lake Michigan. 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. [NOTE: 2018 stats are currently under review for final confirmation], 740 Great Lakes Drownings since 2010 (+/-). Among them will be a resolution authorizing the city to install three life ring buoys on Kenosha Harbors north pier, a life ring set on the south wall of the harbor and another near the mouth of the Pike River which feeds into the lake near the band shell at Pennoyer Park. But according to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, Lake Michigan has taken 31 lives this year alone, marking it one of the deadliest summers since 2010. One of the hardest things to film was the moms talking about their kids, (holding) their photos, said Jeremy Marble, an MLive videographer who served as director of photography for the project. 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. And boat sales are up across the country as Americans search for socially distant fun, he said. The phase two plan covers at least the next decade of management strategies and upgrades that will help the Department of Natural Resources protect and preserve the parks natural and cultural resources as well as provide access to public recreation and education. They released their latest report Thursday. 11/09/2018 US News & World Report Safety Group: 2018 has been deadly year on Great Lakes, 11/09/2018 Great Lakes Commission Daily News Safety group: 2018 has been deadly year on Great Lakes, 11/08/2018 Wood TV 8 Safety group: 2018 has been deadly year on Great Lakes, 11/09/2018 Holland Sentinel, Holland, MI 2018 deadliest year for Great Lakes drownings, 11/09/2018 Fox 17, Holland, MI Safety group: 2018 has been deadly year on Great Lakes, 11/09/2018 Herald Courier, Holland, MI 2018 deadliest year for Great Lakes drownings, 11/09/2018 Herald Palladium, St. Joseph, MI Safety group: 2018 has been deadly year on Great Lakes, 11/09/2018 Detroit Free Press Safety group: 2018 has been deadly year on Great Lakes, 11/09/2018 9 & 10 News, Cadillac, MISafety group: 2018 has been deadly year on Great Lakes, 11/09/2018 WKAR, Michigan State University Safety group: 2018 has been deadly year on Great Lakes, 11/09/2018 WXYZ TV Detroit Safety group: 2018 has been deadly year on Great Lakes, 11/11/2018 Grand Haven Tribune Safety group: 2018 has been deadly year on Great Lakes, 11/09/2018 Northwest Indiana Times Safety group: 2018 has been deadly year on Great Lakes, 11/10/2018 South Bend Tribune, IN 2018 is the deadliest year for Great Lakes drownings, 11/09/2018 Chicago Tribune Safety group: 2018 has been deadly year on Great Lakes, 11/09/2018 The Pantagraph, Bloomington, IL Safety group: 2018 has been deadly year on Great Lakes, 11/09/2008 The News-Herald, OH Safety group: 2018 has been deadly year on Great Lakes, 11/13/2018The Crescent-News, Defiance, OH Safety group: 2018 has been deadly year on Great Lakes, 11/09/2018 KSTP ABC 5, Minneapolis, MN Safety group: 2018 has been deadly year on Great Lakes, 11/09/2018 CBS 4, MN Safety group: 2018 has been deadly year on Great Lakes, 11/09/2018 Lancaster Online, Lancaster, PA Safety group: 2018 has been deadly year on Great Lakes, 11/09/2018 Mankato Free Press, South-Central Minnesota Safety group: 2018 has been deadly year on Great Lakes, 11/09/2018 TribLive, Pittsburg, PA Safety group: 2018 has been deadly year on Great Lakes, 11/09/2018SF Gate, San Francisco, CA Safety group: 2018 has been deadly year on Great Lakes, 11/09/2018 New Jersey Herald Safety group: 2018 has been deadly year on Great Lakes. 07/02/2020 Chicago Tribune Beachgoers, park officials sound alarm for Lake Michigan safety: The majority of our drownings could be prevented. A group that promotes swimming safety says it is a good time to brush on some common sense rules. 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. . 04/23/2018 WSBT New Buffalo leaders have decided to keep lifeguard program for the summer, 04/19/2018 Record Eagle Free YMCA class encourages adults to test the waters, 04/18/2018 Water Safety in Racine The City of Racine, Wisconsin is using the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project projects illustrations, the Signs of Drowning and Flip Float and Follow. Call or text during the show to 312-591-8900. Southend: The Place Where I Go Surfing was screened Sept. 14 at The Towle Theater in Hammond and will be screened again Sept. 22 at Fire and Water At Washington Park in Michigan City. at 8:15 p.m., one operator was thrown into the water. Be safe this season. 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.