Drownings up 83% over last year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 15, 2012

Contact:

Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project

Dave Benjamin, Executive Director and Public Relations, 708-903-0166

Bob Pratt, Executive Director and Water Safety Expert, 517-643-2553

Drownings up 83% over same time last year

Be hyper-vigilant around bodies of water this spring

Drowning reporting database coming soon

GREAT LAKES, USA – The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP) announces its current “2012 Great Lakes Drownings” statistics.  To date in 2012, it’s possible that 11 people have drowned.  That’s an 83% increase over the same date last year.  Overall since 2010, 172 people have drowned (74 in 2010; 87 in 2011, 11 in 2012).

HYPER-VIGILANCE WATER SAFETY

“Although the weather may be summerlike this weekend, the water is still dangerously cold,” said Bob Pratt, GLSRP executive director.  “The waters are still in the forty degree range, and it’s highly recommended that people don’t enter them.” 

According to the GLSRP, if you are boating, create a float plan, communicate that float plan to someone on land, and wear PFD’s.  In case someone falls overboard or off a pier, know the “1, 10, 1” rule of hypothermia”: 1 – COLD SHOCK – 1 minute to get your breathing under control before attempting to get out; 10 – COLD WATER INCAPACITATION – 10 minutes of meaningful movement before you run out of energy; 1 – HYPOTHERMIA – 1 hour before your heart stops.

DROWNING REPORTING DATABASE

 “We say that, it’s “possible” that eleven people have drowned to date in the Great Lakes because of the incomplete information available to the public pertaining to drowning reporting data,” said Dave Benjamin, GLSRP executive director.  “We have four “John Doe’s” in our statistics because information is hard to get.  It can be frustrating when there is so little information available.” 

The Great Lakes consists of 9,402 miles of coast lines, eight states, five lakes, and two countries.  Each year over 60 million people year visit the United States and Canadian shores.  Drowning reporting requirements vary from country to country, state to state, and county to county.

The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project started tracking Great Lakes drowning statistics because no other agency has taken such leadership.  The GLSRP is on a mission to create a unified Great Lakes Drowning Reporting Database to gather information pertaining to drowning incidents to increase the accuracy of tracking Great Lakes drownings. 

This database (coming soon) will include information about the weather conditions, water conditions and the victim through an online questionnaire.  The questionnaire will include the date, location, time, name, age, ethnicity, language, hometown, swimming ability, air temperature, water temperature, wind direction, wind speed, wind gusts, wave height, warning flag color (if applicable), rip current related, and rip current warnings.

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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), the 2011 “Lifesaver of the Year” award winner, and presenter at the NDPA’s 11^th Annual Symposium.  The GLSRP tracks drowning statistics, teaches “Water Safety Surf Rescue” classes, and leads the “Third Coast Ocean Force” rip current awareness campaign on the Great Lakes.

MORE INFORMATION about the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH – List of Businesses and Organizations

2012Great Lakes Drownings   

(11 as of March 15th)

(Info provided by the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project)

LAKE MICHIGAN:

1.      Sun.           01/08   John Doe                                 M-30s Chicago                      

2.      Tue.           01/24   Brittany Finley                        22-F     Oak Creek, WI           

3.      Sun.           02/05   John Doe                                 M-20s Chicago

4.      Fri.             03/02   Talmadge “Todd” Channell    35-M   Chicago                       ?

5.      Sun.           03/04   Philip Patnaude                       28-M   Chicago                       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

LAKE ONTARIO:

8.      Sat.            01/21   J. Doe                                      ?-?       Boulevard Club

9.      Thur.          02/09   John Doe                                 M-47   Burloak Waterfront Park

10.  Sun.           02/26   J. Doe                                      ?-?       Queen’s Quay            

11.  Wed          02/29   Mathieu LeClair                     20-M   Kingston, Ont.                       

LINKS TO DATA

LAKE MICHIGAN

1.      Sun.           01/08   John Doe                                 M-30s Chicago                      

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/01/08/man-rescued-from-pratt-beach-in-critical-condition/

2.      Tue.           01/24   Brittany Finley                        22-F     Oak Creek, WI           

http://www.wisn.com/news/30288143/detail.html “body washed ashore”, “the body was in Lake Michigan”,

3.      Sun.           02/05   John Doe                                 M-50s Chicago

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/02/05/man-pulled-from-lake-in-edgewater/

4.      Fri.             03/02   Talmadge “Todd” Channell    35-M   Chicago                       ?

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-body-of-man-found-in-the-water-at-montrose-harbor-20120308,0,7741622.story

5.      Sun.           03/04   Philip Patnaude                       28-M   Chicago                       Fell in Harbor

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-funeral-set-for-man-who-drowned-in-belmont-harbor-after-disappearing-20120306,0,5651910,print.story

6.      Mon.          03/05   Rasheed Mariano                    17-M   Waukegan, IL             Pier Jump

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/ce51e8b1f2df4cfdb0fd1861eb806656/IL--Waukegan-Student-Death/

7.      Sat.            03/10   Peter Dougherty                      24-M   Port Washington, WI  Kayaking

http://www.channel3000.com/news/30653815/detail.html

LAKE ONTARIO

8.      Sat.            01/21   J. Doe                                      ?-?       Boulevard Club

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1119186--body-found-in-lake-ontario-near-jameson-ave

9.      Thur.          02/09   John Doe                                 M-47   Burloak Waterfront Park

http://www.thespec.com/iphone/topstories/article/668467

10.  Sun.           02/26   J. Doe                                      ?-?       Queen’s Quay            

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2012/02/26/toronto-body-found-lake-ontario.html

11.  Wed.         02/29   Mathieu LeClair                     20-M   Kingston, Ont.                       

http://www.canada.com/news/student+body+pulled+from+Lake+Ontario/6230296/story.html

2010 & 2011 Statistics

Great Lakes drownings rise to 87 in 2011; a two-year total of 161

OTHER NEWS

1. GLSRP Becomes Chapter of NDPA
2. Lifesaver of the Year Award Winner Assists Rescue on FL Vacation
3. Bob Pratt Winner of the Lifesaver of the Year Award
4. Video: Hero from New Buffalo beach rescue getting national honor – NDPA 'Lifesaver of the Year' Award
5. “Surf’s up, but Matteson man wants drownings down”
6. Chasing the chilling waves — whenever they can
7. Fire Marshal Retires - Takes Helm of Surf Rescue Project
8. Bob Pratt Lifesaver Year Award - Top 10 Finalist
9. Great Lakes drownings rise to 87 in 2011; a two-year total of 161
10. Great Lakes Presenting at San Diego Symposium
11. Co-Executive Director’s drowning experience turns into Rescue Project
12. Video: Great Lakes surfers save drowning victims
13. Video: Surfers to the Rescue

PICTURES of “Water Safety Surf Rescue” Classes

1. June 5, 2011 – St. Joseph, MI – Classroom and Water Session
2. August 7, 2011 – Grand Haven, MI – Classroom and Water Session
3. August 28, 2011 – New Buffalo, MI – Classroom and Water Session
4. August 28, 2011 – New Buffalo, MI – Boy rescued from rip current
5. September 18, 2011 – Whiting, IN – Classroom and Water Session
6. February 24, 2012 – Florida Rescue Brevard County, Florida

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In the News – Overall Media Coverage

Great Lakes Accepting National Lifesaver Year Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 5, 2012

Contact:

Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project

Dave Benjamin, Executive Director and Public Relations
708-903-0166

Great Lakes arrive for San Diego Drowning Symposium

Honored as “Lifesaver of the Year”, presenting its work, and

announcing that it has become a chapter of the NDPA

SAN DIEGO, CA – The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project arrived in San Diego to accept the National “Lifesaver of the Year” Award, present its work, and announce that it has become a Chapter of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance at the NDPA’s 11th Annual Symposium Friday, March 9, 12:00 p.m., at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay.  Over 200 water safety and drowning prevention professionals from across the nation will be in attendance.  (Members of the GLSRP will be in San Diego, March 7-11.)

Did you know that since 2010, over 165 people have drowned in the Great Lakes?  Did you know that each year over 60 million people visit the Great Lakes?  The GLSRP does not want your next vacation to end in tragedy. 

The GLSRP is about saving lives through “Water Safety Surf Rescue” classes, “Third Coast Ocean Force” rip current awareness campaign, and tracking Great Lakes drowning statistics.

1.  ACCEPTING THE LIFESAVER OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project is proud to announce that its Executive Director, Bob Pratt, won the “Lifesaver of the Year” Award presented by the National Drowning Prevention Alliance and the USA Swimming Foundation. The award will be presented at the NDPA Symposium at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay, Friday, March 9, 12:00 p.m.

“WOW this is amazing,” said Bob Pratt, Executive Director of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. “I'm truly honored. I really consider this as a team award – the result of a team effort. We have a lot of community support through Great Lakes residents, businesses and organizations.”

The nomination for this award was based on the rip current rescue in New Buffalo August 28 and the GLSRP’s 2011 tracking of Great Lakes drowning statistics, six “Water Safety Surf Rescue” classes, and rip current awareness campaign along the coast of Lake Michigan. 

The 2011 surf rescue classes were taught to the general public, surfers, lifeguards, police officers, fire fighters, water rescue team members, dive team members and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Pratt’s dedication for water safety will be on the forefront of drowning prevention throughout the Midwest in 2012 with 14 “Water Safety Surf Rescue” classes hitting Great Lakes beaches.

Pratt retired from the East Lansing Fire Department January 20th where he spent 12 years as a firefighter and paramedic and 12 years as Fire Marshal. He will now take the helm of the Surf Rescue Project full time.

“I'm writing a new chapter in my life, a new career. I'm really excited to see how much we can accomplish with the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project!”

“Our lifesaver award winner never seems to take a day off,” said Kim Burgess NDPA executive director. “While vacationing in Florida last week, Bob assisted three lifeguards in the battle against offshore winds to rescue three people who were swept out to sea on an inflatable raft.”

“We're so proud to have Bob as our Lifesaver of the Year. He truly deserves it!”

2. PRESENTING THE WORK OF THE GLSRP

Since 2010, over 165 people have drowned in the Great Lakes.  The Great Lakes are a vacation destination.  Each year over 60 million people year visit the United States and Canadian Great Lakes shores (98 state parks, 39 provincial parks, and 12 national parks).

“Presenting allows us to bring the drowning issues unique to the Great Lakes to a national forum,” said Bob Pratt, GLSRP executive director. 

The Great Lakes have a short swimming season (typically three months), yet has a high number of drownings each year (74 in 2010; 87 in 2011; a two-year total of 161).   The GLSRP tracks the drowning statistics, teaches “Water Safety Surf Rescue” classes on the beaches and in the water, and leads the “Third Coast Ocean Force” rip current awareness campaign.

“We will showcase the broad range of efforts taking place in the Great Lakes region. Our rip currents are different; they are caused by short fetch windswells, and our piers are solid structures that exacerbate the rip current problem causing a lot of flash rips and ‘washing machine’ like conditions.”

“Addressing these challenges at the symposium may result in greater interest by researchers and may also result in expanded funding,” Pratt added.  “The ultimate goal is and will always be the prevention of drowning by increased education and a culture of respect for the power of the Lakes.”

3.   ANNOUNCING THAT THE GLSRP HAS BECOME A CHAPTER OF THE NDPA

The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project is proud to announce that it has become a chapter of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance.

“What an honor it is to be accepted into the NDPA family,” said Bob Pratt GLSRP executive director. “It is a huge accomplishment for us. Our big focus in 2012 will be on Great Lakes water safety, rip current education and awareness, and tracking the drowning statistics.”

The chapter agreement will be formerly announced at the NDPA Symposium when Pratt accepts the 2011 “Lifesaver of the Year” award and presents the work of the GLSRP at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay, 9, 12:00 p.m.

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MORE INFORMATION about the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH – List of Businesses and Organizations

OTHER NEWS

1. GLSRP Becomes Chapter of NDPA
2. Lifesaver of the Year Award Winner Assists Rescue while on Florida Vacation
3. Bob Pratt Winner of the Lifesaver of the Year Award
4. Video: Hero from New Buffalo beach rescue getting national honor – NDPA 'Lifesaver of the Year' Award
5. “Surf’s up, but Matteson man wants drownings down”
6. Chasing the chilling waves — whenever they can
7. Fire Marshal Retires - Takes Helm of Surf Rescue Project
8. Bob Pratt Lifesaver Year Award - Top 10 Finalist
9. Great Lakes drownings rise to 87 in 2011; a two-year total of 161
10. Great Lakes Presenting at San Diego Symposium
11. Co-Executive Director’s drowning experience turns into Rescue Project
12. Video: Great Lakes surfers save drowning victims
13. Video: Surfers to the Rescue

PICTURES of “Water Safety Surf Rescue” Classes

1. June 5, 2011 – St. Joseph, MI – Classroom and Water Session
2. August 7, 2011 – Grand Haven, MI – Classroom and Water Session
3. August 28, 2011 – New Buffalo, MI – Classroom and Water Session
4. August 28, 2011 – New Buffalo, MI – Boy rescued from rip current
5. September 18, 2011 – Whiting, IN – Classroom and Water Session
6. February 24, 2012 – Florida Rescue Brevard County, Florida 

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In the News – Overall Media Coverage  

Great Lakes in SD Accepting Lifesave Year Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 5, 2012

Contact:

Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project

Dave Benjamin, Executive Director and Public Relations

708-903-0166

Great Lakes arrive for San Diego Drowning Symposium

Honored as “Lifesaver of the Year”, presenting its work, and

announcing that it has become a chapter of the NDPA

SAN DIEGO, CA – The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project arrived in San Diego to accept the National “Lifesaver of the Year” Award, present its work, and announce that it has become a Chapter of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance at the NDPA’s 11th Annual Symposium Friday, March 9, 12:00 p.m., at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay.  Members of the GLSRP will be in San Diego, March 6-10.

Did you know that since 2010, over 165 people have drowned in the Great Lakes?

Did you know that each year over 60 million people visit the Great Lakes?

1.  ACCEPTING THE LIFESAVER OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project is proud to announce that its Executive Director, Bob Pratt, won the “Lifesaver of the Year” Award presented by the National Drowning Prevention Alliance and the USA Swimming Foundation. The award will be presented at the NDPA Symposium at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay, Friday, March 9, 12:00 p.m.

“WOW this is amazing,” said Bob Pratt, Executive Director of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. “I'm truly honored. I really consider this as a team award – the result of a team effort. We have a lot of community support through Great Lakes residents, businesses and organizations.”

The nomination for this award was based on the rip current rescue in New Buffalo August 28 and the GLSRP’s 2011 tracking of Great Lakes drowning statistics, six “Water Safety Surf Rescue” classes, and rip current awareness campaign along the coast of Lake Michigan.  

The 2011 surf rescue classes were taught to the general public, surfers, lifeguards, police officers, fire fighters, water rescue team members, dive team members and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Pratt’s dedication for water safety will be on the forefront of drowning prevention throughout the Midwest in 2012 with 14 “Water Safety Surf Rescue” classes hitting Great Lakes beaches.

Pratt retired from the East Lansing Fire Department January 20th where he spent 12 years as a firefighter and paramedic and 12 years as Fire Marshal. He will now take the helm of the Surf Rescue Project full time.

“I'm writing a new chapter in my life, a new career. I'm really excited to see how much we can accomplish with the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project!”

“Our lifesaver award winner never seems to take a day off,” said Kim Burgess NDPA executive director. “While vacationing in Florida last week, Bob assisted three lifeguards in the battle against offshore winds to rescue three people who were swept out to sea on an inflatable raft.”

“We're so proud to have Bob as our Lifesaver of the Year. He truly deserves it!” 

2. PRESENTING THE WORK OF THE GLSRP

Since 2010, over 165 people have drowned in the Great Lakes.  The Great Lakes are a vacation destination.  Each year over 60 million people year visit the United States and Canadian Great Lakes shores (98 state parks, 39 provincial parks, and 12 national parks).

“Presenting allows us to bring the drowning issues unique to the Great Lakes to a national forum,” said Bob Pratt, GLSRP executive director.  

The Great Lakes have a short swimming season (typically three months), yet has a high number of drownings each year (74 in 2010; 87 in 2011; a two-year total of 161).   The GLSRP tracks the drowning statistics, teaches “Water Safety Surf Rescue” classes on the beaches and in the water, and leads the “Third Coast Ocean Force” rip current awareness campaign. 

“We will showcase the broad range of efforts taking place in the Great Lakes region. Our rip currents are different; they are caused by short fetch windswells, and our piers are solid structures that exacerbate the rip current problem causing a lot of flash rips and ‘washing machine’ like conditions.”

“Addressing these challenges at the symposium may result in greater interest by researchers and may also result in expanded funding,” Pratt added.  “The ultimate goal is and will always be the prevention of drowning by increased education and a culture of respect for the power of the Lakes.” 

3.   ANNOUNCING THAT THE GLSRP HAS BECOME A CHAPTER OF THE NDPA

The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project is proud to announce that it has become a chapter of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance. 

 “What an honor it is to be accepted into the NDPA family,” said Bob Pratt GLSRP executive director. “It is a huge accomplishment for us. Our big focus in 2012 will be on Great Lakes water safety, rip current education and awareness, and tracking the drowning statistics.” 

The chapter agreement will be formerly announced at the NDPA Symposium when Pratt accepts the 2011 “Lifesaver of the Year” award and presents the work of the GLSRP at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay, 9, 12:00 p.m.

###

MORE INFORMATION about the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH – List of Businesses and Organizations

OTHER NEWS

1. GLSRP Becomes Chapter of NDPA
2. Lifesaver of the Year Award Winner Assists Rescue while on Florida Vacation
3. Bob Pratt Winner of the Lifesaver of the Year Award
4. Video: Hero from New Buffalo beach rescue getting national honor – NDPA 'Lifesaver of the Year' Award
5. “Surf’s up, but Matteson man wants drownings down”
6. Chasing the chilling waves — whenever they can
7. Fire Marshal Retires - Takes Helm of Surf Rescue Project
8. Bob Pratt Lifesaver Year Award - Top 10 Finalist
9. Great Lakes drownings rise to 87 in 2011; a two-year total of 161
10. Great Lakes Presenting at San Diego Symposium
11. Co-Executive Director’s drowning experience turns into Rescue Project
12. Video: Great Lakes surfers save drowning victims
13. Video: Surfers to the Rescue 

PICTURES of “Water Safety Surf Rescue” Classes

1. June 5, 2011 – St. Joseph, MI – Classroom and Water Session
2. August 7, 2011 – Grand Haven, MI – Classroom and Water Session
3. August 28, 2011 – New Buffalo, MI – Classroom and Water Session
4. August 28, 2011 – New Buffalo, MI – Boy rescued from rip current
5. September 18, 2011 – Whiting, IN – Classroom and Water Session
6. February 24, 2012 – Florida Rescue Brevard County, Florida

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In the News – Overall Media Coverage