FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Updated 06/02/2012
Contact:
Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project
Dave Benjamin, Executive Director and Public Relations
708-903-0166
Surf Rescue Class returning to St. Joseph
As Drownings increase at alarming rate
Since 2010, 183 people have drowned in the Great Lakes (74
in 2010; 87 in 2011). As of June 2, 2012,
22 people have drowned. That’s a 100%
increase over the same date in 2011; and a 120% increase over 2010.
“The drowning numbers are astounding,” said Ryan Gerard, owner Third Coast Surf Shop in St. Joseph
and New Buffalo. “As more people enjoy these freshwater inland seas, it is
imperative that the dangers associated with them are recognized and proper
precautions are taken, especially when waves and rip currents are active.”
“The water safety and surf rescue techniques local surfers
have been using for decades are taught in the classes,” Gerard added. “It’s crucial to educate the public and save
lives.”
The “Water Safety Surf Rescue” class is FREE and open to everyone;
i.e. the general public, surfers, first responders, and professional water
rescue personnel. To RSVP contact Dave
Benjamin at 708-903-0166.
The class will teach participants how to:
·
Recognize the danger of the surf environment keeping
personal safety as THE primary responsibility
·
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.
The class will meet at the Boulevard INN, 521 Lake Boulevard, St. Joseph, MI.
9:30
a.m. EST: Meet-n-Greet
10:00
a.m. EST: Classroom Session
11:15
a.m. EST: Water Session at St. Joseph’s Silver Beach or
Tiscornia Beach (depending which way the wind blows/waves, etc. The beach
location will be decided by the end of the classroom).
To RSVP contact Dave Benjamin at 708-903-0166.
###
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, presenter at the NDPA’s 11th Annual Symposium,
and the 2012 winner of the “Outstanding
Service to the Great Lakes Community” award presented by the Dairyland Surf
Classic, Sheboygan, WI. 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.
OTHER
NEWS
- Bob Pratt
winner of the 2012 “Outstanding
Service to the Great Lakes Community”
- GLSRP
Becomes Chapter of NDPA
- Lifesaver
of the Year Award Winner Assists Rescue on FL Vacation
- Bob
Pratt Winner of the Lifesaver of the Year Award
- Video: Hero
from New Buffalo beach rescue getting national honor – NDPA 'Lifesaver
of the Year' Award
- “Surf’s
up, but Matteson man wants drownings down”
- Chasing
the chilling waves — whenever they can
- Fire Marshal Retires - Takes Helm of Surf Rescue Project
- Bob Pratt Lifesaver Year Award - Top 10 Finalist
- Great Lakes drownings rise to 87 in 2011; a two-year total
of 161
- Great
Lakes Presenting at San Diego Symposium
- Co-Executive
Director’s drowning experience turns into Rescue Project
- Video: Great
Lakes surfers save drowning victims
- Video: Surfers
to the Rescue
PICTURES of “Water Safety Surf Rescue”
Classes
- June 5, 2011 – St.
Joseph, MI – Classroom and Water Session
- August 7, 2011 – Grand
Haven, MI – Classroom and Water Session
- August 28, 2011 – New
Buffalo, MI – Classroom and Water Session
- August 28, 2011 – New
Buffalo, MI – Boy rescued from rip current
- September 18, 2011 –
Whiting, IN – Classroom and Water Session
- February
24, 2012 – Florida Rescue Brevard County, Florida
###
No comments:
Post a Comment