FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 1, 2011
Contact:
Dave Benjamin, Third Coast Ocean Force Bob Pratt - Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project
708-903-0166 Fire Marshal & Water Rescue Expert
dpaulben@hotmail.com East Lansing, MI
http://david-benjamin.blogspot.com/ 517-256-4600
Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project Releases Stats
2011 Great Lakes Drownings Reach 38
On Pace with 2010 Drowning Rate
GRAND HAVEN, MI – The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project releases its 2011Drowning Stats. As of July 27, 2011 there have been 38 drownings in the Great Lakes; in comparison to July 27, 2010 there were 40. Some have asked, ‘Will 2011 surpass the 74 drownings of 2010?’
Rip currents can be a leading cause of drowning on the Great Lakes. And when you factor in that lifeguards are a rarity on most beaches, water safety vigilance at a beach-goer level can be of utmost importance.
“Most beaches post "swim at your own risk" signs and fly colored flags (green/safe, yellow/ caution and red/danger). This year we've had a drowning and several rip current rescues on "green" flag days,” said Bob Pratt, a former lifeguard and current fire marshal in East Lansing, MI.
“And to be honest, no one really knows how many people die in our Great Lakes in any given year. As incredible as that sounds there are nine states and two countries involved.”
According to Pratt, the Great Lakes region death reports are done on a county-by-county basis. The counties do not differentiate where drowning occur other than pool vs. open water. In many states drowning is defined as ‘death following submersion where the death occurred within 24 hours of the incident.’ Many drowning victims may be kept on life support beyond 24 hours and the cause of death may not be classified as a drowning.
Pratt has been collecting drowning data since 2007 and formed “The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project to promote water safety and rip current awareness. Its third “Surfboard Rescue Techniques” class of 2011 will be hosted Sunday, August 7 in the Grand Haven State Park Pavilion, Grand Haven, MI; 9:30 a.m. Meet-n-Greet; 10:00 a.m. Classroom Session; 11:15 a.m. Water Session.
TAGS: Great Lakes, Lake Michigan, Rip Current, Surf, Surfing, Rescue, drowning, Third Coast,
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ABOUT THE GREAT LAKES SURF RESCUE PROJECT
In 2010 approximately 74 people drowned in the Great Lakes primarily due to rip currents. The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project is made up of Great Lakes surfers dedicated to reducing drowning incidents on the Great Lakes. Surfers have a long history of rescues along our coasts. Surfers are often in the water when conditions are most dangerous: high surf and cold water.
The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project consists of two elements:
1. The “Surfboard Rescue Techniques” class;
2. The “Third Coast Ocean Force” Rip Current Awareness PSA Campaign.
1. “SURFBOARD RESCUE TECHNIQUES” CLASS
The “Surfboard Rescue Techniques” class is currently FREE and OPEN to the public – Friends, Family, Employees, Employers, Surfers, SUP’ers, Kayakers, Professional Water Rescue Personnel, Social Groups of People, etc. Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/home.php?sk=group_129564050452987
The “Surfboard Rescue Techniques” class will teach participants how to:
--Recognize the danger of the surf environment keeping personal safety as THE primary responsibility – Identifying hazardous conditions
--Understand rip currents; i.e. how, where, and why rip currents occur; How to survive rips;
--Know the “Signs of Drowning” – How to identify a person in trouble from within a crowd.
--Summon help
--Use a surfboard or other flotation device to rescue a person in distress or in a rip current
--React when encountering swimmers who have suffered an injury
--React to an unconscious victim
--Enroll in lifesaving, first aid and CPR training from accredited agencies.
2. “THIRD COAST OCEAN FORCE” RIP CURRENT PSA
The Great Lakes are sometimes referred to as the “Third Coast” of the United States and the “Third Coast” can have "Ocean Force" rip currents during windy weather conditions. Each Surfboard Rescue Techniques” class will provide an opportunity to cause rip current awareness through the classroom as well as media opportunities.
IN PARTNERSHIP OR SPONSORSHIP WITH:
- Surfrider Foundation, Vince Deur & Ingrid Lindfors
Grand Haven, MI
- Wet Mitten Surf Shop, Ben & John McNeil
301 N Harbor, Grand Haven, MI 49417
(616) 844-3388
- No Quarter Surf Boards, Marty Karish
Grand Haven, MI
616-502-9784;
- Great Lakes Proud, Austin
- The Great Lakes Surfing Association, Bob Beaton
Grand Haven, MI
- Third Coast Surf Shop, Ryan Gerard
St. Joseph and New Buffalo, MI
574-360-3977; http://www.thirdcoastsurfshop.com/
- Beach Nut Surf Shop, Larry Bordine
1100 Main St., Frankfort, MI 49635
231-352-5249; www.beachnutsurfboards.com; lbordine@ameritech.net;
- Additional partners and sponsors coming soon…
2011Great Lakes Drownings
(38 as of 07/27/11)
(Info provided by the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project)
LAKE MICHIGAN:
1. Sat 1/1 Michael Hilling 19-M Chicago Retrieving object
2. Wed 2/2 Peter Davis 60-M Chicago Unknown
3. Mon 2/14 Casey Palmer 23-M Milwaukee Walk on ice
4. Fri 4/8 Sarah Goenne 61-M Chicago Fall from dock
5. Mon 4/11 Jane Doe 13-F Kenosha Pier Jump
6. Sun 5/22 Terrell Burton 19-M St. Joe Pier jump
7. Wed 6/8 Jorge Martinez 55-M Chicago swimming
8. Sun 6/19 John Doe 5-M Chicago Fall from pier
9. Fri 6/29 Steven Link 42-M Sheboygan WI Step-off
10. Sat 7/2 Timothy Judge 44-M Muskegon Scuba
11. Sun 7/3 Tyon McNeil 5-M Covert Unknown
12. Mon. 7/4 Chris Szmajlo 29-M Chicago Boating
13. Fri. 7/15 Jane Doe ?-F Racine Unknown
14. Fri. 7/15 Mark Tuthill 47-M Portage Step off
15. Sun 7/17 Marche Wilburn 6-F Gary Ind. Unknown
16. Sun 7/17 Mark Morley 51-M Charlevoix Sailing
17. Sun 7/17 Suzanne Bickel 41-F Charlevoix Sailing
LAKE ERIE
18. Sun 5/22 Donald Morrow 55-M East Harbor Fall from dock (etoh)
19. Tues 6/14 Susan Zatek 55-F Monroe Fishing
20. Tues 6/28 Zachary Wadding 18-M Ripley N.Y. Rip Current
21. Tues 6/28 Joselito Irizarry 30-M Edgewater Pier Jump
22. Sun 7/3 Daniel Abel 53-M Kelley’s Isle Boating
23. Thur. 7/20 Herman Teichroeb 24-M Port Burwell Swimming
24. Tues. 7/26 Aiden Nicoll 7-M Presque Isle rip current
25. Wed. 7/27 John Doe 27-M Presque Isle Swimming from boat
LAKE SUPERIOR:
26. Tues 6/7 Kevin Dammen 20-M Apostle Islands Kayaking
LAKE ONTARIO:
27. Tues 1/4 Porter Simpson 7-M Niagara on the Lake Unknown
28. Sat 2/6 John Doe ?-M Toronto Unknown
29. Sat 6/25 John Doe 30’s-M Toronto Unknown
30. Sat 7/2 Jane Doe 50’s-F Toronto Unknown
31. Sun 7/17 Visu Vimalan 48-M Trenton Ont. Rip Current
32. Sun 7/17 John Doe 35-M Toronto Swim from boat
33. Sun 7/17 John Doe 29-M Wasaga Beach Ont. PWC
34. Tues 7/19 Uche Chuks’ 13-F Hamilton Ont. swimming from dock
35. Tues 7/26 Shaylean Richards 32-F Fair Haven rip current
LAKE HURON:
36. Sat 2/26 Robert Quesnelle 40-M Georgian Bay Snowmobiling
37. Mon 4/18 James McComb II 20-M Port Austin Wash from pier
38. Sun 7/24 Jason McLeod 20-M Port Franks Swimming
LAKE ST. CLAIR:
39. Sat 4/23 Hassen Randel 37-M Black Creek Fishing (boat)
2010 Great Lakes Drownings
(74 as of 09/05/10)
Info provided by the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project
NOTE: Highlights represents “By July 27, 2010 – this time last year.
Note: An asterisk identifies a “would be rescuer”.
LAKE MICHIGAN:
1. Tues 1/26 Mauricio Guaylias 27-M Chicago Unknown
2. Tues 3/2 Richard Wieting, 53-M Montrose (Chi.) Unknown
3. Sun 4/25 Ryan Lightfoot 28-M Petoskey Canoeing
4. Sun 4/25 Clifford Denay 27-M Petoskey Canoeing
5. Tues 4/18 John Doe -M Zion Unknown
6. Thurs 5/27 Katlyn LeClaire 13-F Escanaba step -off
7. Sat 5/29 Kelvin Motsinger 9-M Green Bay Unknown
8. Wed 6/09 Sofia Khan 9-F Holland WI kayaking
9. Wed 6/9 DeVale Thompson 16-M Whiting Pier jump
10. Sat 6/19 Vidyasagar Kapoor 30-M Chicago Unknown
11. Tues 6/22 Antoine Miller 21-M Waukegan swimming
12. Fri 6/25 Paris Bankhead 20-M Ill Beach St. Park swimming
13. Sun 7/4 Destiny Bahena 9-F Ind. Dunes rip current*
14. Sun 7/4 William Lott 25-M Silver Lk. St. Park rip current
15. Sun 7/11 Perla Solis 6-F Covert Park unknown
16. Fri 7/16 Jordy Graves 17-M South Haven rip current
17. Sat 7/17 James Savage 55-M Garfield Twp swimming
18. Fri 7/23 Mark Scheuer 49-M Grand Haven rip current*
19. Sun 7/25 Alfonso Quintero 26-M St. Joe rip current
20. Sun 7/25 Jeremiah Green 12-M Racine unknown
21. Sun 7/25 Lindsay Bilka 17-F Muskegon MI rip current
22. Mon 7/26 Kristopher Kane 19-M Sheboygan WI rip current
23. Thur 8/5 Richard Drake 67-M Covert Park rip current
24. Thur 8/5 Arther Walker 71-M Covert Park rip current
25. Fri 8/6 Patrick Reymann 63-M Harbor Springs kayaking
26. Sun 8/8 Cody Prentiss 15-M Calumet Park unknown
27. Wed 8/11 Roman Bravo 19-M Ill. Beach St Park unknown
28. Sat 8/14 Anthony Goldsmith 44-M Ludington MI rip current
29. Sun 8/15 Enrica Lorenz 27-F Muskegon MI rip current
30. Mon 8/16 Ethan Seitzer 10-M Berrien County rip current
31. Mon 8/16 Dolsey Lynn Squires 41-F Gr. Traverse Bay rip current
32. Thur 8/19 Richard Habermas 76-M Grand haven rip current
33. Sun 8/22 Lorenzo Greer 17-M Mich. City IN rip current
34. Sun 8/22 Scott Hoover 14-M Mich. City IN rip current
35. Fri 9/3 Timothy Horvath 26-M Lincoln Twp MI rip current
36. Mon 9/3 Anupam Bhattacharjee 26-M Ludington MI pier wash-off
37. Sun 9/13 Daniel Logsdon 23-M Warren Dunes unknown
38. Sat 9/18 Timothy Spiller 49-M Ludington fall from pier
LAKE ERIE
39. Mon 6/28 Andrew Mooney 21-M Long Beach ONT rip current
40. Tues 7/6 Louis Barba 16-M Sterling St. Park MI swimming
41. Thurs 7/8 Anthony Alexander 17-M Mentor OH rip current
42. Sun 7/11 Chris Alkerton 18-M Rock Point ONT swimming
43. Wed 7/14 Victor Arce Jr. 30-M Westfield NY swimming
44. Tues 7/27 Edwin Acosta 41-M Cleveland OH swim/boat
45. Sun 8/8 Nate Polosito 14-M Westfield OH rip current
46. Mon 8/16 Marco Butler 18-M Rock Point ONT rip current
47. Thur 8/19 John Doe 40s-M Erie PA unknown
48. Thur 8/19 John Doe 53-M Sherkston ONT rip current
49. Mon 8/23 Cynthia Riediger 53-F Pelee Island ONT rip current*
50. Mon 9/6 Harallamb Tasi 24-M Monroe MI swimming
51. Fri 9/11 Marshal Sharpe 58-M Hamilton ONT fishing
52. Sun 10/10 Mohammed Aljiboori 19-M Cleveland OH Unknown
LAKE SUPERIOR:
53. Sat 7/3 Marvin Charette 18-M Red Cliff Unknown
54. Wed 7/21 Rod Nilsestuen 62-M Picnic Rocks rip current
55. Thur 8/5 Elias Jenkins 15-M Presque Isle rip current
56. Thur 8/5 Alex Schuiteman 16-M Presque Isle rip current
57. Thur 8/5 Douglas Smith 50-M Grand Marais rip current
58. Thur 8/5 Eric Smith 16-M Grand Marais rip current
59. Fri 8/27 Devante Billups 18-M Picnic Rocks swimming
LAKE ONTARIO:
60. Mon 3/29 Jill Williams 85-F Sodus N.Y. Unknown
61. Fri 5/28 Edward McMillon 20-M Rochester NY Pier Jump
62. Wed 6/09 John Doe 23-M Pt. Dalhousie fall from pier
63. Fri 7/22 Justin Callahan 29-M Brighton ONT kayaking
64. Wed 7/28 Mehmet Yilmaz 22-M Irondequoit Bay swim/boat
65. Fri 8/6 Richard Woodall 77-M Ellisburg ONT fishing
66. Thur 9/2 Michael Steger 36-M Olcott NY fishing
LAKE HURON:
67. Sun 4/16 Lawrence Burack 61-M Saginaw Bay Fishing
68. Tues 6/29 Douglas Rucinskas 5-M Bayfield ONT rip current
69. Tues 6/29 Andrew Rucinskas 48-M Bayfield ONT rip current*
70. Sun 7/25 George Georgion Jr 16-M Lexington MI rip current
71. Tues 7/27 Joseph Lathan 18-M Conneaut OH pier jump
72. Sun 8/15 John Doe 10-M Georgan Bay canoeing
73. Mon 8/16 Oksana Milovanovic 16-F Kincardine ONT rip current
74. Thurs 8/19 John Doe 24-M Sauble Beach ONT unknown
