GLSRP's Third Coast Ocean Force: Drowning Decreases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 27, 2011

Contact:

The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project

Dave Benjamin, Class Organizer & Media Relations

708-903-0166

dpaulben@hotmail.com

http://david-benjamin.blogspot.com/

www.facebook.com/dave.benjamin

Drowning Stats Decrease from 2010 Pace

2011 Rip Current Rescue 60+

GREAT LAKES, USA – The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project releases its current 2011 Drowning Statistics. As of August 27, 2011 there have been 56 drownings in the Great Lakes. By the same date 2010, there were 66. This is a decrease of 10 over last year.

The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project would also like to acknowledge all those who were involved in the 60 plus publicized Lake Michigan rip current rescues that have occurred this summer (links below).

“This year could have been tragically worse this year than last,” said Dave Benjamin. “There are 60 lives that continue today, but summer’s not over.”

“The wind forecast for tomorrow will produce rip currents over most of the lake, especially the coasts of southwest Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. When in doubt, don’t go out.”

RIP CURRENT RESCUES

3 Rescued – June 9 – Boardwalk Beach, Manistique: http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/563286/Father-son-rescued-from-Lake-Michigan-rip-current.html?nav=5013

3 Rescued – July 27, Michigan City, IN http://www.suntimes.com/news/6729326-418/3-swimmers-rescued-from-lake-michigan-rip-currents.html

28 Rescued – Aug 03, Holland State Park: http://hollandzeeland.wzzm13.com/news/news/60309-holland-state-park-beach-closes-due-rip-currents

4 Rescued – Aug 11 – Frankfort : http://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-rescues-4-young-boys-caught-in-apparent-rip-current-off-frankfort-beach/2011/08/11/

9 Rescued – Aug 17 –– New Buffalo City Beach reported 9 rip current rescues http://www.harborcountry-news.com/articles/2011/08/19/news/doc4e4b41101ca66526862686.txt

13 Rescued – Aug 21 –– one teen plus about a dozen swimmers http://record-eagle.com/local/x1047883320/Rip-currents-have-been-dangerous-lately

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ABOUT THE GREAT LAKES SURF RESCUE PROJECT

The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project’s "Surfboard Rescue Techniques" class and "Third Coast Ocean Force" rip current awareness campaign continues tomorrow, Sunday, August 28, 9:30 a.m. EST at New Buffalo’s Lion’s Pavilion Park. There will be a Meet-n-Greet at 9:30 a.m.; Classroom Session for assessing surf conditions, rip current education, beach safety, rescue techniques, 10:00 a.m.; and a Water Session to practice hands-on surf rescue techniques at 11:15 a.m.

The class is FREE and OPEN to the public. Come on out for an informative water safety class and a fun day at the beach. The “Surfboard Rescue Techniques” class will teach participants how to recognize the danger of the surf environment; understand rip currents (i.e. how, where, and why rip currents occur); how to survive rips; to know the “Signs of Drowning”; and how to use a surfboard or other flotation device to rescue a person in distress or in a rip current.

In 2010 approximately 74 people drowned in the Great Lakes primarily due to rip currents. As of August 22, 2011, approximately 55 people have drowned. 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.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Great-Lakes-Surf-Rescue-Project/120501018657?sk=info

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 WITH: