Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Great Lakes Drowning Epidemic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project
Dave Benjamin, Executive Director of Public Relations, 708-903-0166
Bob Pratt, Executive Director of Education, 517-643-2553



GREAT LAKES CAN MEAN GREAT PERIL
Drowning Epidemic
Public education in concert with safety measures a must

Since 2010 more than 262 people have drowned in the Great Lakes.  Eight of these fatal drownings recently occurred over this year’s Labor Day weekend

Karl W. Schmidt, 60, a grandfather, was one of those drownings.  He was enjoying Lake Michigan with his family over the holiday weekend when tragedy struck his 9-year-old grandson who was pulled from shore.  Schmidt was able to pass the boy to nearby surfers who took him to shore.  Sadly in the confusion Schmidt had used his last ounce of energy to save the boy and went under.

Bystanders began a frantic search and found his body 200 yards from shore where surfer, Burton Hathaway, paddled him in.  Schmidt’s children, grandchildren, and hundreds of holiday beach goers watched in desperation as bystanders performed CPR until officers and first responders arrived.  

(Rescue workers perform lifesaving efforts to Karl Schmidt)

Family and beach goers continued to watch Schmidt, unresponsive to the chest compressions, as he was carried from the water’s edge to a waiting ambulance.

The same day, Tyler Buczek, 15, an 8th grade valedictorian and incoming freshman quarterback disappeared in the waves at a Port Washington, WI beach as his closest friends watched.  

One of his friends was quoted as saying, “We're all freshmen.  It’s supposed to be we're all happy, we're in high school.  But I don't think that's going to be how it is this year.”   

Those who know Tyler recalled a boy with a big future.  He was supposed to start his first day of high school, but instead songs, prayers and tears flowed as nearly 1,000 people gathered for his beachside vigil to support the teenager's family.

Now multiply these tragic stories by 262 and counting and know that these drowning numbers will continue to rise unless a uniform water safety education program is in place.  

Two men and a mission
Bob Pratt and Dave Benjamin have worked fulltime for more than two years without pay in an effort to save lives through their nonprofit organization, the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP). 

Since 2010 they have been tracking drowning statistics and, in the summer of 2011 and 2012, they performed 17 “Water Safety Surf Rescue” classes on the beaches and in the waters of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior.  People who attended the classes consisted of the general public, surfers, lifeguards, Department of Natural Resource (DNR) officers, police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, water rescue team members, dive team members, and the U.S. Coast Guard. 

The GLSRP intends to expand its classes to all five Great Lakes, create a Water Safety Rip Current Survival national curriculum, in order to reduce these drownings.

Pratt recently retired after 25 years of service as paramedic, fire fighter, and fire marshal for the city of East Lansing, MI to take the helm of the GLSRP full-time.  He is also a certified lifeguard, CPR, and first aid instructor and has served as the lead trainer for the fire department’s water and ice rescue training as well as several police and fire agencies in Michigan including Lansing Community College’s Police Academy.  

Pratt became an advocate for Great Lakes water safety when he was going to teach his son to surf September 3, 2003.  On that day at the beach, U.S. Coast Guard helicopters and boats were in the water searching for Andy Fox, who got caught in a rip current at Grand Haven State Park. 

“We spent some time on the beach just reflecting and were deeply affected by the sight,” said Pratt.  “I was appalled to learn how common drownings were on the Great Lakes. Very few beaches have lifeguards, and bystanders are often the only hope a drowning victim has.”

Fox's death sparked Pratt’s interest in rip currents and he later worked with Fox's mom on several projects including the “Great Lakes Beach and Pier Safety Task Force” and the “Beach Safety Challenge”.

Benjamin has swum in Lake Michigan for 42 years and started surfing the Lake in 2009.  While surfing in 2010 he survived a nonfatal drowning accident which prompted his dedication to this cause.

“After swimming in the lake my whole life, I was pretty comfortable in the water,” said Benjamin, executive director of the GLSRP.  “But all it took was one moment of panic for all experience and rational thought to go out the window.”

According to Benjamin when he was drowning, he remembered an article titled, “Drowning doesn’t look like drowning” by Mario Vittone and it saved his life. 

“I was doing all the signs [of drowning] and when I stopped doing the signs I was able to eventually float to safety.”

This summer Benjamin participated in an unsuccessful water rescue and witnessed several bodies pulled from the water. 

“Going to the beach is supposed to be about family fun, recreation, love and happiness.  Not about tragedy, despair, and hopelessness,” Benjamin concluded.


THE SOLUTION
The GLSRP is working with the Michigan Sea Grant’s “Flip, Float, and Follow” rip current survival strategy, to develop a national curriculum similar to the Fire Prevention Services’ “Stop, Drop and Roll” program.

“Ask anyone anywhere in the United States and they probably know ‘Stop, Drop and Roll,’” Benjamin aptly noted, hoping “Flip, Float, Follow” can catch on as well.”



The GLSRP has been promoting the Michigan Sea Grant’s “Flip, Float, and Follow” rip current survival strategy through its “Water Safety Surf Rescue” classes this summer and it has received over 30 media mentions.

With some funding, the GLSRP is ready to launch a regional and then national water safety curriculum to teach the public how to:
·         Recognize the dangers and hazards of the Great Lakes surf environment keeping personal safety as THE primary responsibility
·         Implement Hands-on Adult Supervision –
·         Designate Water Watchers (The Water Watcher Card)
·         Recognize the “Signs of Drowning” – How to identify a person in trouble from within a crowd (The Hollywood version of drowning vs. the actual version of drowning)
·         Understand rip currents; i.e. how, where, and why rip currents occur;
·         Know the Dangerous Currents
·         Know the dangers of Offshore Winds
·         Use a flotation device or surfboard to rescue a person in distress or in a rip current
·         React when encountering swimmers who have suffered an injury or unconscious
·         Enroll in lifesaving, first aid and CPR training from accredited agencies.
·         Use the Michigan Sea Grants “Flip, Float, and Follow” rip current survival strategy

The Price of Apathy
If no uniform public water safety curriculum is funded, the Great Lakes drowning epidemic will definitely continue to rise, especially as the beaches receive national recognition and multimillion dollar restoration projects are under way.  More attractive beaches result in more bathers and, without effective intervention, more drownings.

Although the GLSRP is a young organization, it has made some huge accomplishments in less than two years and is ready to handle the challenge of delivering this national water safety curriculum.


PROPOSED INDIANA RIP CURRENT SWIM BAN
Indiana State Senator Jim Arnold is drafting legislation that, if passed, will make it illegal to swim in Lake Michigan when rip current warnings are issued.

Arnold was quotes as saying, “The whole purpose of this is to save lives and protect people who have shortcomings (with understanding how dangerous these conditions are).  This law provides a way to enforce this. This is a public safety issue.”

The bill would exempt those who want to surf Lake Michigan provided they wore the proper safety gear.

According to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, on average, fifty percent of all Great Lakes drownings occur in Lake Michigan and fifty percent of Lake Michigan drownings occur on the south end of the Lake from Chicagoland to the Indiana/Michigan border.  Approximately one-third of all Great Lakes drownings are rip current related.

“We are thankful that there is interest in water safety, but drowning is a complex problem and we need to make sure the lawmakers realize that this will not keep every swimmer out of the water nor prevent all drownings,” said Bob Pratt executive director of education of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. 

“Rip currents are only a piece of the drowning puzzle on the Lake.  Without addressing all of the factors that lead to drowning, we are not addressing the problem; factors such as the lack of lifeguards at most beaches, the lack of adult supervision, other dangerous currents, offshore winds, Seiches, or localized winds that arise before the National Weather Service can issue a warning.”

“This law may reduce a few drownings but we really need a comprehensive plan to address all the factors and not leave enforcement and interpretation to local jurisdictions.”

Pratt recently returned from the International Rip Current Symposium in Sydney, Australia where he presented the work of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project and the Great Lakes drowning epidemic.  In March Pratt will be presenting a Stand-Up Paddleboard curriculum at the National Drowning Prevention Alliance’s 12th Annual Symposium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

MAJOR BEACH RESTORATION PROJECTS
Amidst the drowning fatalities and possible swim ban, in Northwest Indiana there are two beach restoration projects totaling $70 million, which will bring even more people to the lakefront.

In Gary the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA) provided a $28 million grant for the Marquette Park Lakefront East Project.  “It will create an economic boom nearby and bring people to this important piece of shoreline,” said RDA Executive Director Bill Hanna.  In Whiting the focus of the $42 million redevelopment project is to transform the Whiting Lakefront Park into a destination point for all to enjoy.

“With all of this money for restoration projects designed to bring more people to the beaches, you have to ask the question, ‘How much money or funding is allocated for water safety drowning prevention programs,’” Benjamin said.

“These drowning numbers do not happen on the east coast and west coast combined, so what are they doing on the coasts that are not being done on the Great Lakes?”


###

Become a member of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project.  The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, Inc. (GLSRP) is about saving lives.  It is a nonprofit corporation that is a Chapter of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) that tracks drowning statistics, teaches “Water Safety Surf Rescue” classes, and leads the “Third Coast Ocean Force” rip current awareness campaign on the Great Lakes.

It presented at the 2nd International Rip Current Symposium Nov. 1st, 2012 in Sydney, Australia; the 2012 winner of the “Outstanding Service to the Great Lakes Community” award presented by the Dairyland Surf Classic; the 2011 “Lifesaver of the Year” award winner; and a presenter at the NDPA’s 11th Annual Symposium in San Diego, March 9, 2012.

101 Great Lakes Drownings, Swim Bans, Beach Restorations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project
Dave Benjamin, Executive Director of Public Relations, 708-903-0166
Bob Pratt, Executive Director of Education, 517-643-2553

101 Great Lakes drownings in 2012; 262 since 2010
Indiana considerd swim bans during rip current warnings
As $70 million beach restoration projects are in progress

GREAT LAKES, USA – The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP) announces its current drowning statistics.  There were 101 drownings on the Great Lakes in 2012, and there are at least five drowning cases yet to be confirmed (four of those occurring in Chicago).  Overall there have been 262 drownings on the Great Lakes since 2010 (87 drownings in 2011; 74 drownings in 2010). 

“Great Lakes drownings are now at a ‘pandemic-like’ state,” said Dave Benjamin, executive director of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. “These drowning fatalities should prompt communities to completely rethink beach and water safety programs.”

The last two summers the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project has performed 17 “Water Safety Surf Rescue” classes on the beaches of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior.  It has now created a water safety curriculum that it plans to pilot in May to school children K-12 in Portage, Indiana and New Buffalo, Michigan.  Additional schools and communities are being considered.

According to the GLSRP, a lot more needs to be done on the Great Lakes beaches such as:
--A regional and national surf environment water safety public education curriculum
--Lifeguards with open water/rough water training (a lot of beaches don't have lifeguards or do not have lifeguards with open water training)

--Rescue Surf Boards
--Rescue Jet Skis 
--Updated hazard signs (including the Great Lakes “Dangerous Currents")
--Updated rip current and rip current survival signs
--“Hands-on” Adult Supervision signs
--Throw rings
--Call boxes

--Mobile water rescue teams and/or dive teams
--Flag Warning System (Green, Yellow, or Red)
--Beach ambassadors speaking with beach goers about the hazards and dangers of the surf environment

PROPOSED INDIANA RIP CURRENT SWIM BAN
Indiana State Senator Jim Arnold is drafting legislation that, if passed, will make it illegal to swim in Lake Michigan when rip current warnings are issued.

Arnold was quotes as saying, “The whole purpose of this is to save lives and protect people who have shortcomings (with understanding how dangerous these conditions are).  This law provides a way to enforce this. This is a public safety issue.”

The bill would exempt those who want to surf Lake Michigan provided they wore the proper safety gear.

According to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, on average, fifty percent of all Great Lakes drownings occur in Lake Michigan and fifty percent of Lake Michigan drownings occur on the south end of the Lake from Chicagoland to the Indiana/Michigan border.  Approximately one-third of all Great Lakes drownings are rip current related.

“We are thankful that there is interest in water safety, but drowning is a complex problem and we need to make sure the lawmakers realize that this will not keep every swimmer out of the water nor prevent all drownings,” said Bob Pratt executive director of education of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. 

“Rip currents are only a piece of the drowning puzzle on the Lake.  Without addressing all of the factors that lead to drowning, we are not addressing the problem; factors such as the lack of lifeguards at most beaches, the lack of adult supervision, offshore winds, Seiches nor those that happen due to localized winds before the National Weather Service can issue a warning.””

“This law may reduce a few drownings but we really need a comprehensive plan to address all the factors and not leave enforcement and interpretation to local jurisdictions.”

Pratt recently returned from the International Rip Current Symposium in Sydney, Australia where he presented the work of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project and the Great Lakes drowning epidemic.  In March Pratt will be presenting a Stand-Up Paddleboard safety curriculum at the National Drowning Prevention Alliance’s 12th Annual Symposium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

MAJOR BEACH RESTORATION PROJECTS
Amidst the drowning fatalities and possible swim ban, in Northwest Indiana there are two beach restoration projects totaling $70 million, which will bring even more people to the lakefront.

In Gary the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA) provided a $28 million grant for the Marquette Park Lakefront East Project.  “It will create an economic boom nearby and bring people to this important piece of shoreline,” said RDA Executive Director Bill Hanna.  In Whiting the focus of the $42 million redevelopment project is to transform the Whiting Lakefront Park into a destination point for all to enjoy.

“With all of this money for restoration projects designed to bring more people to the beaches, you have to ask the question, ‘How much money or funding is allocated for water safety drowning prevention programs,’” Benjamin said.

“These drowning numbers do not happen on the east coast and west coast combined, so what are they doing on the coasts that are not being done on the Great Lakes?”

###

Become a member of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project.  The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, Inc. (GLSRP) is about saving lives.  It is a nonprofit corporation that is a Chapter of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) that tracks drowning statistics, teaches “Water Safety Surf Rescue” classes, and leads the “Third Coast Ocean Force” rip current awareness campaign on the Great Lakes.

It presented at the 2nd International Rip Current Symposium Nov. 1st, 2012 in Sydney, Australia; the 2012 winner of the “Outstanding Service to the Great Lakes Community” award presented by the Dairyland Surf Classic; the 2011 “Lifesaver of the Year” award winner; and a presenter at the NDPA’s 11th Annual Symposium in San Diego, March 9, 2012.

SAFETY TIPS – What everyone should know before they put their toes on the beach:
·         When in doubt, don’t go out!
·         Know the 1-10-1 Rule of Hypothermia (especially in fall, winter, and spring)
·         Know the Michigan Sea Grants “Flip, Float, and Follow” Rip Current Survival Strategy
·         Know the Signs of Drowning
·         Know the Great Lakes Dangerous Currents
·         Drowning Terms for the Media to Discontinue

2012 UNCONFIRMED DROWNING FATALITIES
1. July 17, 6 year-old, Lake Michigan, Chicago, Rainbow Beach
2. July 27, 11 year-old girl, Lake Michigan, Chicago, near North Avenue Beach
3. July 14, 18-year-old, Stanley Zheng, Lake Michigan, Chicago, North Avenue Beach
4. Dec. 10, Fred Brandon, 67, Lake Erie, Cleveland, unknown
5. Dec. 23, Rita Shcherbakova, 72, Lake Michigan, Chicago Pratt Beach/Rogers Park

2012Great Lakes Drownings
(101 as of December 31)
(Info provided by the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project)

LAKE MICHIGAN
1. Sun.             01/08   John Doe                                 M-30s Chicago, IL                
2. Tue.             01/24   Brittany Finley                        22-F     Oak Creek, WI           
3. Sun.             02/05   John Doe                                 M-50s Chicago, IL
4. Fri.               03/02   Talmadge “Todd” Channell    35-M   Chicago, IL
5. Sun.             03/04   Philip Patnaude                       28-M   Chicago, IL                 Fell in Harbor
6. Mon.            03/05   Rasheed Mariano                    17-M   Waukegan, IL             Pier Jump
7. Sat.              03/10   Peter Dougherty                      24-M   Port Washington, WI  Kayaking
8. Mon.            03/26   Jane Doe                                 ?-F       Chicago, IL
9. Wed.           04/11   Willie Edward Hurse              33-M   Beverly Shores, IN    
10. Sun.           04/22   David Dickerson                     43-M   Grand Traverse Bay    Canoe
11. Wed.        05/19   Maurice Blandin                     21-M   North Ave. Beach, Chicago, IL
12. Thur.          05/24   Lexie Adu                               15-F     Loyola Park Chicago, IL
13. Sat.            05/26   Jane Doe                                 36-F     59th Street harbor Chicago, IL
14. Mon.          05/28   Jorge Garduno                        20-M   Zion, Illinois               
15. Sat.            06/02   Ling Lang Zou                        24-F     Ludington, MI                       
16. Tues.          06/12   George Sosa                            14-M   North Ave. Beach Chicago, IL
17. Fri.             06/15   Christian Ouding                    13-M   Grand Haven, MI
18. Mon.          06/17   Leonel Dominguez                  31-M   Beverly Shores, IN
19. Mon.          06/17   Joseph Hall                              58-M   Pere Marquette Park, MI
20. Tues.          06/19   Alexander Hines                     26-M   St. Joseph, MI             Fall from pier
21. Wed.         06/20   Maleisa Brown                        3-F       South Haven, MI
22. Wed.         07/04   Mahlik J. Harris                       ?-M      31St Street Beach, Chicago, IL
23. Sun.           07/08   Corey McFry                           15-M   Portage, IN    
24. Thur.          07/12   Romero Roundtree                 16-M   Chicago, IL
25. Sun.           07/15   Dr. Victoria Kut                      44-F     Lake Forest, IL          
26. Fri.             07/20   Nacere Bradley                       5-M     West Beach, Gary, IN
27. Fri.             07/20   Craig A. Hoffman                   44-M   Eichelman Park, Kenosha, WI
28. Sat.            07/21   Robert Moran                          18-M   Cross Village Beach, MI
29. Fri.             07/27   Ron Washington                     60-M   Burton Place, Chicago, IL
30. Fri.             07/27   Ayanna Patterson                    12-F     North Avenue Beach, Chicago, IL
31. Sun.           08/05   Dr. Donald Liu                       50-M, Cherry Beach, Chickaming, MI
32. Sun.           08/05   Anthony Kelly                                    41-M, Tiscornia Beach, St. Joseph, MI
33. Sun.           08/05   Kevin Patrick Schlake             40-M, Peterson Beach, Benzie County,
34. Fri.             08/10   David Diener                          21-M Sheboygan, WI
35. Fri.             08/10   Kurt K. Netzer                        37-M Sheboygan, WI
36. Thur.          08/16   William Sorokin                      67-M Ludington, MI
37. Thur.          08/16   Ray Finholm                           59-M Ludington, MI
38. Tues.          08/21   John Doe                                 34-M Menominee, WI
39. Wed.         08/22   David Patarozi                                    68-M Belmont Harbor, Chicago, IL
40. Thur.          08/30   Brian Rolston                          16-M Van’s Beach, MI Rip Current
41. Sun.           09/02   Karl W. Schmidt                     61-M Deland Park, Sheboygan, WI
42. Sun.           09/02   Tyler Buczek                           15-M Port Washington, WI
43. Sat.            09/01   Paul DeTrano                          36-M Holland, MI
44. Sun.           09/02   Vikrant Kole                           26-M Silver Lake State Park, MI
45. Sun.           09/09   Frederick McKeown               57-M Michigan City, IN
46. Tues.          09/18   Barakat Kaid                           40-M Milwaukee, WI
47. Sun.           09/23   Harsha Maddula                     18-M Wilmette Harbor, Chicago, IL 
48. Thur.          09/28   John Doe                                 40’s-M Navy Pier, Chicago, IL
49. Tues.          10/23   John Doe                                 40’s-M Montrose Harbor, Chicago, IL
50. Sun.           11/18   Jesse Neuser                            24-M Manitowoc’s car ferry dock

LAKE SUPERIOR
51. Mon.          06/11   Jeffery Carlos Watson Jr.,       13-M   Duluth, MN
52. Sun.           06/17   Robert Weitzel                        57-M   Pigeon Bay Point, MN Kayak
53. Tues.          06/26   Derril Yerigan                         52-M   Whitefish Point, MI    Scuba Diving
54. Thur.          07/05   William Jaksha                        54-M   Ontonagon
55. Wed.         07/11   Rose Mary Marshall                89-F     Grand Marais
56. Thur.          08/02   Charles Conklin                      74-M   Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

LAKE ONTARIO
57. Sat.            01/21   J. Doe                                      ?-?       Boulevard Club
58. Thur.          02/09   John Doe                                 47-M   Burloak Waterfront Park
59. Sun.           02/26   J. Doe                                      ?-?       Queen’s Quay            
60. Wed.         02/29   Mathieu LeClair                     20-M   Kingston, Ont.                       
61. Fri.             03/16   John Doe                                 20-M   Toronto                       Fall
62. Fri.           04/13  Jane Doe                                  ?-F       Etobicoke Yacht Club
63. Sat.            04/21   David Tuttle                            ?-M      Henderson, NY
64. Sun.           06/16   Marcos A. Peralta                   27-M   Fair Haven Beach       Pier Jumping
65. Sun.           07/08   Dennis J. Ash                          16-M   Wilson, NY     Swimming near Pier
66. Thur.          07/19   John Doe                                 24-M   Bluffer’s Park
67. Sat.            07/21   John Doe                                 17-M  
68. Tues.          07/24   Timothy D. Confer                 33-M   Sandy Creek
69. Sun.           08/05   John Doe                                 17-M   Scarborough
70.Sun.            08/05   John Doe                                 22-M   Scarborough
71. Sun.           08/05   Mustafa Ahmadi                     26-M   Whitby Ontario
72. Fri.             08/10   Victor O. Woolson                  19-M   Flat Rock
73. Fri.             08/17   Jane Doe                                 78-F     Sandbanks Provincial Park
74. Fri.             08/31   John Doe                                 60’s-M Port Dalhousie
75. Sun.           09/30   Mitchell Somerville                 17-M   Frenchman's Bay
76. Tues.          10/13   John Doe                                 ?-M      Peel, Port Credit Harbor Marina

LAKE ERIE
77. Wed.         05/23   Gregory Gulko                        45-M   Point Pelee      Sailing
78. Thur.          06/21   John Doe                                 22-M   Lake Erie Harbor        Pier Jumping
79. Wed.         06/26   Laura Recco                            47-F     Huntington Beach, Ohio Rip Current
80. Thur.          07/04   Anthony Norman                    23-M   Avon Lake, Ohio        Fishing           
81. Fri.             07/13   David Harder                          07-M   Port Burwell, Ont.      Swimming
82. Fri.             07/13   Lisa Harder                             10-F     Port Burwell, Ont.      Swimming
83. Sat.            07/14   John Doe                                 12-M   Sherkston Shores, Ontario
84. Tues.          07/17   Terry Hansard                         18-M   Euclid Beach, Cleveland
85. Fri.             07/27   Charles D. McCarley              46-M   Ottawa County’s West Harbor
86. Sun.           08/05   Walter Santos                          43-M   Long Point Park
87. Sun.           08/05   Slavisa Bugarcic,                     34-M   Mentor, OH
88. Mon.          08/13   Michael Foreman                    34-M   Avon Lake, Ohio
89. Mon.          09/03   John Doe                                 29-M   Long Point Provincial Park, Ont

LAKE HURON
90. Sun.           07/01   Jeno Bujtas                              27-M   Grand Bend
91. Mon.          07/09   Mohammed Zindani               7-M     Port Huron
92. Sun.           07/22   John Doe                                 6-M     Manitoulin Island
93. Mon.          07/23   John Doe                         21 Mos-M   Manitoulin Island
94. Sun.           07/29   John Doe                                 43-M   Sarnia Yacht Club
95. Sat.            08/04   John Doe                                 30-M   Lakeside Beach, Port Huron
96. Fri.             08/31   Jeremy Gerber                         36-M Sauble Beach, Canada
97. Sun.           09/02   Gordon Van Dyke                  53-M Bayfield, Ont.
98. Fri.             10/05   Martin Nashkawa                    34-M Sagamok
99. Sun.           10/07   John Doe                                 20-M Lighthouse Beach, Port Huron
100. Fri.           12/07   Craig Bressette                        50-M Kettle Point, Fishing Boat Capsized
101. Fri.           12/07   William Calvin George           58-M Kettle Point, Fishing Boat Capsized

           
2011Great Lakes Drownings   
87 (23 via Rip Currents)
(Info provided by the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project)

LAKE MICHIGAN:
1.      Sat.            01/01   Michael Hilling           19-M   Chicago                       Retrieving object
2.      Wed.         02/02   Peter Davis                  60-M   Chicago                       Unknown
3.      Mon.          02/14   Casey Palmer              23-M   Milwaukee                  Walk on ice
4.      Fri.             04/08   Sarah Goenne              61-M   Chicago                       Fall from dock
5.      Mon.          04/11   Jane Doe                     13-F     Kenosha                      Pier Jump
6.      Sun.           05/22   Terrell Burton              19-M   St. Joe                         Pier jump
7.      Wed.         06/08   Jorge Martinez            55-M   Chicago                       swimming
8.      Sun.           06/19   John Doe                     5-M     Chicago                       Fall from pier
9.      Fri.             06/29   Steven Link                 42-M   Sheboygan WI                        Step-off
10.  Sat.            07/02   Timothy Judge            44-M   Muskegon                   Scuba
11.  Sun.           07/03   Tyon McNeil               5-M    Covert                         Unknown
12.  Mon.          07/04   Chris Szmajlo              29-M   Chicago                       Boating
13.  Fri.             07/15   Jane Doe                    ?-F       Racine                         Unknown
14.  Fri.             07/15   Mark Tuthill                47-M   Portage                        Step off
15.  Sun.           07/17   Marche Wilburn          6-F       Gary Ind.                    Unknown
16.  Sun.           07/17   Mark Morley               51-M   Charlevoix                   Sailing
17.  Sun.           07/17   Suzanne Bickel           41-F     Charlevoix                   Sailing
18.  Wed          07/27   Sharon Walsh              69-F     Chicago                       unknown
19.  Mon.          08/01   Javier Rivera               19-M   Chicago                       Swimming
20.  Mon.          08/01   Mark Urness                53-M   Frankfort                     swim from boat
21.  Tues.          08/02   Chandra Aravind        33-M   Chicago                       Boating
22.  Wed.         08/03   Delilah Hope Perez     13-F     Pentwater                    rip current
23.  Sun.           08/07   Martin Perez                8-M     Mich. City                   rip current
24.  Tues.          08/09   Daniel Reed                46-M   Saugatuck                   rip current
25.  Tues.          08/09   Bradley Stoner            22-M   Saugatuck                   rip current
26.  Wed.         08/10    Brett Vanetten           20-M   Gary                            rip current
27.  Thur.          08/18   Dolsey Squires            41-F     Northport Beach         possible rip current
28.  Sat.            08/27   Willie Bogan               11-M   Racine                         rip current
29.  Sat.            08/27   Pawel Lesney              33-M   Gary IN                       rip current
30.  Sat.            08/27   Tristan Shambee          14-M   Wilmette, IL               rip current
31.  Sun.           08/28   Robert Klepacki          44-M   Hagar                          rip current
32.  Sun.           08/28   Rayan Sami Bokhari   22-M   Porter, IN                    rip current
33.  Fri.             09/02   Pedro Martinez           32-M   Muskegon, MI                        rip current
34.  Sun.           09/04   Wojciech Sadowski    25-M   New Buffalo, MI        rip current
35.  Wed.         09/07   Phebe Hall                   54-F     Holland                       rip current
36.  Sun.           09/11   Jane Doe                     40s-F   Chicago                       unknown
37.  Sat.            10/01   James Garcia               51-M   Chicago                       rip current
38.  Wed.         10/05   Amit Patel                   31-M   Chicago                       eluding PD
39.  Sat.            10/15   Mitchell Fajman          18-M   New Buffalo, MI        Kayaking big waves
40.  Sat.            10/15   Kevin Bruins               33-M   Holland, MI                Jet Skiing big waves
41.  Sat.            10/15   Jay Evens Farr             59-M   Traverse City, MI        Boat big waves
42.  Sun.           10/16   Mayur Patel                 45-M   Door County               canoe
43.  Sat.            10/22   Jane Doe                     40’s-F Chesterton, IN             Unknown
44.  Mon.          12/26   James A. Kerechek     55-M  Chicago, IL                  Unknown

LAKE ERIE
45.  Sun.           05/22   Donald Morrow          55-M   East Harbor                 Fall from dock (etoh)
46.  Tues.          06/14   Susan Zatek                55-F     Monroe                        Fishing
47.  Tues.          06/28   Zachary Wadding       18-M   Ripley N.Y.                 rip current
48.  Tues.          06/28   Joselito Irizarry           30-M   Edgewater                   Pier Jump
49.  Sun.           07/03   Daniel Abel                 53-M   Kelley’s Isle                Boating
50.  Thur.          07/20   Herman Teichroeb       24-M   Port Burwell                Swimming
51.  Tues.          07/26   Aiden Nicoll               7-M     Presque Isle                 rip current
52.  Wed.         07/27   John Doe                     27-M   Presque Isle                 Swimming from boat
53.  Sat.            07/30   Paul Spanitz                37-M   Grosse Ile                    unknown
54.  Sun.           07/31   John Doe                     ??-M    Kelleys Island             Swimming from boat
55.  Sun.           07/31   Darylle Phoeur            17-M   Avon Lake                  rip current
56.  Tues.          08/23   Antron Davis              25-M   Cleveland                    unknown
57.  Sat.            08/27   Vincent Hermano        43-M   Euclid                          kayaking
58.  Sat.            10/22   Pam Holstein               F-51     Cedar Point                 Boat capsized
59.  Sat.            10/22   Charles Kaplan            M-58   Cedar Point                 Boat capsized
60.  Tues.          11/22   Carl G. Jennings          M-75   Morin Point                 Boat capsized/hunting

LAKE SUPERIOR:
61.  Tues.          06/07   Kevin Dammen           20-M   Apostle Islands           Kayaking
62.  Mon.          07/11   Monty Lyons              42-M   Duluth                         unknown

LAKE ONTARIO:
63.  Tues.          01/04   Porter Simpson            7-M     Niagara on the Lake    Unknown
64.  Sat.            02/06   John Doe                     ?-M      Toronto                       Unknown
65.  Sat.            06/25   John Doe                     30’s-M Toronto                       Unknown
66.  Sat.            07/02   Jane Doe                     50’s-F  Toronto                       Unknown
67.  Sun.           07/17   Visu Vimalan              48-M   Trenton Ont.               rip current
68.  Sun.           07/17   John Doe                     35-M   Toronto                       Swim from boat
69.  Sun.           07/17   John Doe                     29-M   Wasaga                        Beach Ont. PWC
70.  Tues.          07/19   Uche Chuks                13-F     Hamilton Ont.             swimming from dock
71.  Tues.          07/26   Shaylean Richards      32-F     Fair Haven                  rip current
72.  Mon.          08/01   John Doe                     49-M   Sandbanks                   rip current
73.  Sat.            08/20   John Doe                     25-M   Rochester                    unknown
74.  Sun.           09/04   Alex Montgomery       14-M   Ft. Niagara                  fall (etoh)
75.  Sun.           09/06   John Doe                     14-M   Orilla, Ont.                  Unknown
76.  Mon.          10/31   Alan Shultz                 66-M   Sodus Point, NY         Boat capsized
77.  Tues.          11/22   Tracey Bango              46-M   Oswego County          Kayaking/hunting
78.  Sun.           12/04   Ashley Lynn Ganyo    24-F     Billings Park                Car accident

LAKE HURON:
79.  Sat.            02/26   Robert Quesnelle        40-M   Georgian Bay              Snowmobiling
80.  Mon.          04/18   James McComb II       20-M   Port Austin                  Wash from pier
81.  Sun.           07/24   Jason McLeod             20-M   Port Franks                  Swimming
82.  Sun.           07/24   Ragna Bersenas           67-F     Georgian Bay              Swimming
83.  Sun.           07/31   Jan Raczychi               49-F     Tobermory                   Scuba
84.  Mon.          08/01   Donald Dorey             42-M   Long Point                  unknown
85.  Thurs.        08/11   Jason McDonough      36-M   Sauble Beach              unknown
86.  Fri.             09/09   Zachary Marengeur     20-M   Bruce P. Park              rip current
87.  Fri.             09/09   Gavin Marengeur        18-M   Bruce P. Park              rip current

2010 Great Lakes Drowning’s
74 (32 via Rip Currents)
Info provided by the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project

Note: An asterisk identifies a “would be rescuer”.
LAKE MICHIGAN:
1.      Tues           01/26   Mauricio Guaylias                   27-M   Chicago                       Unknown
2.      Tues           03/02   Richard Wieting,                     53-M   Montrose (Chi.)           Unknown
3.      Tues           04/18   John Doe                                     -M   Zion                             Unknown
4.      Sun            04/25   Ryan Lightfoot                       28-M   Petoskey                      Canoeing   
5.      Sun            04/25   Clifford Denay                       27-M   Petoskey                      Canoeing 
6.      Thurs         05/27   Katlyn LeClaire                      13-F     Escanaba                     step -off
7.      Sat             05/29   Kelvin Motsinger                    9-M    Green Bay                    Unknown       
8.      Wed          06/09   Sofia Khan                              9-F       Holland WI                 kayaking
9.      Wed          06/09   DeVale Thompson                  16-M   Whiting                       Pier jump
10.  Sat             06/19   Vidyasagar Kapoor                 30-M   Chicago                       Unknown
11.  Tues           06/22   Antoine Miller                         21-M   Waukegan                   swimming
12.  Fri              06/25   Paris Bankhead                       20-M   Ill Beach St. Park        swimming
13.  Sun            07/04   Destiny Bahena                       9-F       Ind. Dunes                  rip current*
14.  Sun            07/04   William Lott                            25-M   Silver Lk. St. Park       rip current
15.  Sun            07/11   Perla Solis                               6-F      Covert Park                 unknown
16.  Fri              07/16   Jordy Graves                           17-M   South Haven               rip current
17.  Sat             07/17   James Savage                          55-M   Garfield Twp              swimming
18.  Fri              07/23   Mark Scheuer                          49-M   Grand Haven              rip current*
19.  Sun            07/25   Alfonso Quintero                    26-M   St. Joe                         rip current
20.  Sun            07/25   Jeremiah Green                       12-M   Racine                         unknown
21.  Sun            07/25   Lindsay Bilka                          17-F     Muskegon MI             rip current
22.  Mon           07/26   Kristopher Kane                      19-M   Sheboygan WI                        rip current
23.  Thur           08/05   Richard Drake                         67-M   Covert Park                 rip current
24.  Thur           08/05   Arther Walker                         71-M   Covert Park                 rip current
25.  Fri              08/06   Patrick Reymann                     63-M   Harbor Springs            kayaking
26.  Sun            08/08   Cody Prentiss                          15-M   Calumet Park              unknown
27.  Wed          08/11   Roman Bravo                          19-M   Ill. Beach St Park        unknown
28.  Sat             08/14   Anthony Goldsmith                44-M   Ludington MI             rip current
29.  Sun            08/15   Enrica Lorenz                          27-F     Muskegon MI             rip current
30.  Mon           08/16   Ethan Seitzer                           10-M   Berrien County           rip current
31.  Mon           08/16   Dolsey Lynn Squires               41-F     Gr. Traverse Bay         rip current
32.  Thur           08/19   Richard Habermas                  76-M   Grand haven               rip current
33.  Sun            08/22   Lorenzo Greer                         17-M   Mich. City IN             rip current
34.  Sun            08/22   Scott Hoover                           14-M   Mich. City IN             rip current
35.  Fri              09/03   Timothy Horvath                    26-M   Lincoln Twp MI          rip current
36.  Mon           09/03   Anupam Bhattacharjee           26-M   Ludington MI             pier wash-off
37.  Sun            09/13   Daniel Logsdon                      23-M   Warren Dunes             unknown
38.  Sat             09/18   Timothy Spiller                       49-M   Ludington                   fall from pier

LAKE ERIE
39.  Mon           06/28   Andrew Mooney         21-M   Long Beach ONT                   rip current
40.  Tues           07/06   Louis Barba                 16-M   Sterling St. Park MI                swimming
41.  Thurs         07/08   Anthony Alexander    17-M   Mentor OH                             rip current
42.  Sun            07/11   Chris Alkerton                        18-M   Rock Point      ONT                swimming
43.  Wed          07/14   Victor Arce Jr.                        30-M   Westfield        NY                  swimming
44.  Tues           07/27   Edwin Acosta             41-M   Cleveland        OH                  swim/boat
45.  Sun            08/08   Nate Polosito              14-M   Westfield        OH                  rip current
46.  Mon           08/16   Marco Butler               18-M   Rock Point      ONT                rip current
47.  Thur           08/19   John Doe                     40s-M  Erie                  PA                   unknown
48.  Thur           08/19   John Doe                     53-M   Sherkston        ONT                rip current
49.  Mon           08/23   Cynthia Riediger         53-F     Pelee Island     ONT                rip current*
50.  Mon           09/06   Harallamb Tasi            24-M   Monroe MI                              swimming       
51.  Fri              09/11   Marshal Sharpe           58-M   Hamilton ONT                        fishing
52.  Sun            10/10   Mohammed Aljiboori 19-M   Cleveland OH                         Unknown

LAKE SUPERIOR:
53.  Sat             07/03  Marvin Charette          18-M   Red Cliff                                 Unknown
54.  Wed          07/21   Rod Nilsestuen           62-M  Picnic Rocks                           rip current
55.  Thur           08/05   Elias Jenkins                15-M   Presque Isle                             rip current
56.  Thur           08/05   Alex Schuiteman         16-M   Presque Isle                             rip current
57.  Thur           08/05   Douglas Smith                        50-M   Grand Marais                          rip current
58.  Thur           08/05   Eric Smith                   16-M   Grand Marais                          rip current
59.  Fri              08/27   Devante Billups          18-M  Picnic Rocks                           swimming

LAKE ONTARIO:
60.  Mon           03/29   Jill Williams                 85-F     Sodus N.Y.                             Unknown
61.  Fri              05/28   Edward McMillon      20-M   Rochester NY                         Pier Jump
62.  Wed          06/09   John Doe                     23-M   Pt. Dalhousie                           fall from pier
63.  Fri              07/22   Justin Callahan            29-M   Brighton ONT                         kayaking
64.  Wed          07/28   Mehmet Yilmaz          22-M   Irondequoit Bay                      swim/boat
65.  Fri              08/06   Richard Woodall         77-M   Ellisburg ONT                         fishing
66.  Thur           09/02   Michael Steger            36-M   Olcott NY                               fishing

LAKE HURON:
67.  Sun            04/16   Lawrence Burack        61-M   Saginaw Bay                           Fishing
68.  Tues           06/29   Douglas Rucinskas      5-M     Bayfield ONT                         rip current
69.  Tues           06/29   Andrew Rucinskas      48-M   Bayfield ONT                         rip current*
70.  Sun            07/25   George Georgion Jr     16-M   Lexington MI                          rip current
71.  Tues           07/27   Joseph Lathan             18-M   Conneaut OH                          pier jump
72.  Sun            08/15   John Doe                     10-M   Georgan Bay                           canoeing
73.  Mon           08/16   Oksana Milovanovic   16-F     Kincardine ONT                     rip current
Thurs   08/19   John Doe                     24-M   Sauble Beach ONT