GLSRP's Third Coast Ocean Force

Benjamin said the chief rule for swimming in the Great Lakes is respect for the water's power. He encourages swimmers to follow the Michigan Sea Grant's "Flip, Float and Follow" strategy when caught in a rip current. The first step is for swimmers to flip onto their back and float to conserve energy and fight off a sense of panic. The next step is to follow the current and swim perpendicular to the current's flow, until the swimmer is able to emerge. "When you are floating, you can calm down and assess which way it's pulling you," Benjamin said. "As long as you are floating, you are alive. As long as you are struggling, you are drowning."

3. September 04, 2012

WNDU 16

“Great Lakes drownings hit 87”

http://www.wndu.com/home/headlines/Great-Lakes-drownings-hit-87-168499426.html

The project continues to push the technique “Flip, Float and Follow.” If caught in a rip current, don’t panic. Instead, swimmers should flip onto their back, float to see where the water is moving, and then swim parallel to the shore.

4. August 27, 2012

Post-Tribune

Jerry Davich Colum: ‘I think Corey would be proud of me’

http://posttrib.suntimes.com/news/davich/14700064-452/jerry-davich-i-think-corey-would-be-proud-of-me.html

“Everyone who enters the Great Lakes should know about the ‘Flip, Float, and Follow’ rip current survival campaign,” he said. “As long as are floating you are alive.” The eventual goal of the Michigan Sea Grant’s “Flip, Float, Follow” rip current survival strategy is 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,’ ”he noted, hoping “Flip, Float, Follow” can catch on as well.

5. August 23, 2012

AccuWeather.com

“74 Confirmed Drownings in the Warm Great Lakes this Year”

It is extremely important to be familiar with memorable safety sayings, including "Flip, Float, Follow" that can save your life if you find yourself struggling in a drowning.

6. August 17, 2012

AccuWeather.com

“Before Summer Ends, A New Must-Know Safety Tip For All Swimmers”

http://www.accuweather.com/en/outdoor-articles/beach-and-marine/flip-float-and-follow/70216

From there, Benjamin made it to shore by following the Flip, Float and Follow strategy.

"FLIP, FLOAT, FOLLOW"

The flip, float and follow saying was created by the Michigan Sea Grant to be memorable and help save people in a drowning incident.

Flip over onto your back and figure out which way the current is flowing.

Float to keep your head above water and conserve energy.

Follow the current until it weakens. Rip currents dissipate quickly as they move away from the shore into deeper water. Ride it out and swim perpendicular to the current back to shore.

"We believe flip, float and follow will work in any body of moving water. The whole premise is as long as you're floating, you're alive. You calm yourself down and follow the best action to get out of the water. We believe a lot of drowning is ... because people panic, they're in water, and it is the instinctive drowning response," Benjamin said. "When someone goes into the instinctive drowning response, they've got between 15 and 45 seconds before final submersion."

The flip, float and follow saying was modeled after the famous "stop, drop and roll."

7. August 19, 2012

Fox 28

“Mom of drowning victim wants to prevent future drownings”

http://www.fox28.com/story/19315144/mom-of-drowning-victim-wants-to-prevent-future-drownings

The best thing to remember if you do get into trouble in the water, Flip, float, and follow. Pratt said, "flip over onto your back, which puts you in a better position to breathe. Float cause as long as you're floating you're not drowning. See which way the current is taking you and follow the best course out." Those tips are exactly what Forystek hopes to teach to others. "We're surrounded by water and I think kids need to know what they need to do."

8. August 19, 2012

WNDU

“Victim’s family joins Surf Rescue Project to teach water safety”

http://www.wndu.com/home/headlines/Victims-family-joins-surf-rescue-project--to-teach-water-safety--166709466.html

Flip, Float, and Follow. Those are the three statements a rescue project in New Buffalo is teaching beach-goers and swimmers about water safety awareness across the Great Lakes region. Cory McFry's mother was at Sunday's class. Her son, Cory disappeared in July near the Portage Lakefront Riverwalk. He was swimming with friends when he was swept away by currents. The class emphasizes a Flip, Float, and Follow survival strategy meant to keep people’s minds from panicking, and instead focusing on those three body movements. The class is helpful, but residents have to sign up to get them, so Cory's said she's pushing for programs like these to be taught in schools. "It should be something that they push in the schools. It should be something they teach in health class, or gym class or swimming class,” said Cory’s mother, Christine Forystek. Or you know, and they should start from elementary school and work their way up. You keep pushing it and you keep pushing it, and you're going to save a life. At least one, if not, hopefully several."

9. August 15, 2012

Wall Street Journal

Drownings Rise in Heat Wave – Accidents Haunt Crowds Flocking to Midwest Beaches in Search of a Cool Place

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444233104577591632537807936.html#articleTabs%3Darticle

10. August 14, 2012

The Richard Piet Show

WKZO Radio

“New Number on Drownings in Great Lakes”

http://wkzo.com/podcasts/richard-piet-show/new-number-drownings-great-lakes/

Updated rip current survival strategy called Flip, Float, and Follow, created by the Michigan Sea Grant. The standard for rip current survival, “Don’t panic. Swim Parallel” [may not always work]… [Listen to pod cast. Lots of Flip, Float, Follow info.]

11. August 10, 2012

NBC Chicago

Chicago's, Brant Miller, getting the Flip, Float, Follow message out to the public during his weather forecast. http://www.nbcchicago.com/video/#!/weather/video/Forecast--Beautiful-Weekend-/165792776

12. August 10, 2012

Chicago Tribune

“August a deadly month for Lake Michigan rip currents – Wind, waves, crowds can make a dangerous combination”

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-rip-currents-0810-20120810,0,5832654.story If a swimmer gets in a rip current, the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project recommends that the person roll on his or her back and float to determine which way the current is moving. Then the person should swim perpendicular to the current and once out of it, back toward shore.

13. August 7, 2012

ABC 7 Chicago

“Warning about rip currents on Lake Michigan”

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news%2Flocal&id=8765524

"If you're a poor swimmer, continue floating. As long as you're floating, you're alive. As long as you are struggling you are drowning," said Benjamin.

14. August 7, 2012

WGN 9 Chicago

“Report: 69 Great Lake drownings so far in 2012”

http://www.wgntv.com/news/wgntv-report-69-drownings-so-far-in-2012-20120807,0,4396502.story

The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project recommends people know the signs of drowning and rip currents. If you ever get caught in a dangerous current, experts say: flip, float and follow.

15. August 7, 2012

WGN 9 Chicago

“Report: 69 Great Lake drownings so far in 2012”

http://www.wgntv.com/news/wgntv-report-69-drownings-so-far-in-2012-20120807,0,4396502.story

16. July 26, 2012

Post-Tribune

“Our view: Great lake can mean great peril”

http://posttrib.suntimes.com/opinions/13776801-474/our-view-great-lake-can-mean-great-peril.html

The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project wants to help by educating people on ways to protect themselves from drowning with a “Flip, Float, Follow” slogan similar to “Stop, Drop and Roll.”

17. July 21, 2012

Northland News Center

“Swimmers, Rescue Officials Learn To Survive Rip Currents”

http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/local/Drowning-Prevention-Program-On-Park-Point-163303416.html

"If you're ever caught in a rip current, flip, float and follow," Dave Benjamin, Executive Director at the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, said. Dave Benjamin, of the Great Lakes Rescure project says the advice is similar to the "stop, drop, and roll" technique from the fire prevention services. "Float to keep your head above water. Float to conserve your energy and float to calm yourself down from the panic," Dave Benjamin, Executive Director at the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, said. Experts say the key is to asses which way the current is pulling you while floating. The standard for rip current survival is to swim parallel with the shore, but Benjamin says that may not always work and to swim against the movement of the water.

18. July 21, 2012

WDIO

“Water Safety Class Educates Swimmers on Rip Currents”

http://www.wdio.com/article/stories/S2698599.shtml?cat=11802

If you find yourself in a rip current, Pratt says you should float on your back and let the current sweep you out. Once you're able to swim, he recommends swimming parallel to the shore until you're able to swim out of the current and back to safety.

19. July 10, 2012

Post-Tribune

“Jerry Davich: Drowning latest reminder of lake’s deceptive ferocity”

http://posttrib.suntimes.com/13702872-537/jerry-davich-drowning-latest-reminder-of-lakes-deceptive-ferocity.html

It is working with the Michigan Sea Grant’s “Flip, Float, 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,’” he aptly noted, hoping “Flip, Float, Follow” can catch on as well. That’s a start, and hopefully more local officials will consider working with his group. Or erecting memorial signs to warn oblivious or overly daring swimmers.

20. July 10, 2012

WGN Chicago

“Emergency docs concerned about rise in area drownings”

http://www.wgntv.com/news/wgntv-emergency-docs-concerned-about-rise-in-chicago-area-drownings-20120710,0,6089633.story

Flip, Float, and Follow at end of news segment

21. July 2, 2012

WWMT

“Summer Water Safety: Rip Currents”

http://www.wwmt.com/template/cgi-bin/archived.pl?type=basic&file=/shared/newsroom/top-stories/stories/archive/2012/07/FlZBDHOW.xml

"We recommend you use flip, float and follow," Pratt said. "Flip over on to your back and calm down because panic is really what kills people; float and see what direction the current is taking you, and follow the safest course of action back to shore."

22. June 23, 2012

MLIVE

Great Lakes swimming demands keeping kids within an arm's reach, surf rescue group advises

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2012/06/great_lakes_swimming_demands_k.html

He recommended that all Great Lakes swimmers learn the "flip, float, follow" technique to use if they do get caught in rip currents. That strategy advises swimmers to flip onto their backs and float, allowing time to calm down, then to follow the current long enough to learn which direction it is carrying them-- not always straight out from shore. This gives swimmers a chance to signal for help, or to swim at an angle out of the current. "The biggest message is if you are floating, you're head's above water and you're alive. Don't expend energy swimming against the current," Benjamin said.

23. June 21, 2012

'Watching not enough when beach packed'

Wood TV

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/sw_mich/Watching-not-enough-when-beach-packed?ref=scroller&categoryId=10001&status=true

NDPA's 2011 Lifesaver of the Year, Bob Pratt, of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project in studio with WOOD TV 8 speaking about water safety. (NOTE: there are two videos. Bob is on the second video. Second NOTE: Michigan Sea Grant created the Flip, Float, Follow Rip Current Survival technique. GLSRP is advocating it.)

24. June 13, 2012

WGN 9 Chicago

Teen taken to hospital after drowning incident

http://www.wgntv.com/news/wgntv-drowning-at-north-ave-beach-teen-taken-to-chicago-hospital-20120612,0,1553939.story

At the end of the video clip, the current drowning stats (25) are mentioned, and there's a phone interview with Bob Pratt and he acknowledges the Michigan Sea Grant’s Flip, Float, Follow rip current survival campaign.

25. June 3, 2012

WNDU

Swimmers learn how to handle rip currents at free class

http://www.wndu.com/localnews/headlines/Swimmers_learn_how_to_handle_rip_currents_at_free_class_156915895.html

26. May 30, 2012

Medill Reports Chicago

Drowning spikes 82 percent over last year

http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=206250

“If you are already in the water and unable to reach safe shore, try flip, float and follow. The rescue project suggests that people flip over onto their backs and then float to keep the head above water and conserve energy. The third step is to follow or flow with the current to save energy. “Most current dissipates quickly as people move away from the shore into deeper water,” Benjamin said. “Ride it out, figure out which direction the water is flowing and swim perpendicular to the current toward shore.”

27. May 31, 2012

ABC 57

Saving Lives This Summer

http://www.abc57.com/news/local/van-buren/Preventing-Summer-Drownings--155889485.html

It's also important to educate your children about the waters and watch them for the entirety of their time in the water. For instance, 10-year old Juliette Benjamin has been swimming since she was three, and knows exactly what to do in a rip current. "Flip, float and follow. Flip on your back to calm yourself down. float to conserve energy, and follow the rip current to determine which way it is carrying you then swim diagonally to the shore for help" said Benjamin.

28. May 30, 2012

WKZP Radio Interview

http://media.mwcradio.com/podcasts/episodes/files/LORI-WEDNESDAY_05-30-12_9amHour-BobPratt.mp3

29. May 26, 2012

MLIVE

New advice for rip current escape may help Great Lakes swimmers this summer

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2012/05/new_advice_for_rip_current_esc.html

Swimmers caught in the grip of a rip current may have a new weapon to fight back—an easy- to-remember, easy-to-use strategy to get out of the current and allow retreat to shore or rescue. "Flip, float and follow," advises the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Group, water safety experts who have been studying ways to help prevent drownings in the Great Lakes. Bob Pratt, educational director for the group, said current advice for getting out of rip currents — swim perpendicular to shore instead of against the current -- is generally sound: Stay calm to conserve energy, swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline, then, when out, swim at an angle -- away from the current -- toward shore.

Additional links coming soon...

Monday, March 18, 2013

101 Great Lakes Drownings

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

www.ripcurrentsafety.com

101 Great Lakes drownings in 2012; 262 since 2010

Major Beach Restoration Projects Underway

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

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 milliongrant 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 11^th 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)

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 31^St 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

2011 Great Lakes Drownings

87 (23 via Rip Currents)

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)

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

74. Thurs 08/19 John Doe 24-M Sauble Beach ONT