5/15 Hammond Water Safety Presentation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact:
Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project
Dave Benjamin, Executive Director
708-903-0166
dave.benjamin@glsrp.org
www.GLSRP.org

Nationally recognized organization coming to Hammond Sunday

to perform a Great Lakes Water Safety Presentation

for International Water Safety Day

 448 Great Lakes Drownings since 2010 

GREAT LAKES, USA – The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP) will be performing a Great Lakes Water Safety presentation on International Water Safety Day, Sunday, May 15, 1:00 p.m. The water safety presentation will be at Gibson Woods, 6201 Parrish Ave., Hammond, IN 46323, 219-844-3188.

The water safety presentation is for the average beach goers, surfers, lifeguards, police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, water rescue team members, dive team members, and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Topics will include:

• “Drowning – The neglected public health issue,” the World Health Organization and CDC
• The “Signs of Drowning” – the Hollywood version vs. the actual version
• The drowning survival strategy, “Flip, Float, and Follow”
• Winds = Waves = Dangerous Currents; i.e. how, where, and why the currents occur
• Basic rescue – using a flotation device such as a throw ring, throw rope, or other objects that float to rescue a person in distress or in a rip current
• Enroll in lifesaving, first aid and CPR training from accredited agencies

The presentation is FREE and OPEN to the public.  Please RSVP at www.glsrp.org/classes and then follow the drop down menu.

NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED
The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP) is proud to announce that it won a National Drowning Prevention Alliance “2016 NDPA Community Lifesaver” award and a ‘Because I said I would’ “2016 Supporter of the Year” award.   

NDPA Community Lifesaver Award
On March 29 the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project received the “2016 National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) “NDPA Community Lifesaver” award. The GLSRP was recognized for its water safety advocacy in the Great Lakes region.

The GLSRP Co-founder and executive director, Dave Benjamin, of Homewood, IL became involved in water safety after he survived a drowning accident while surfing in Lake Michigan December 26, 2010.   

Since 2011, the GLSRP has performed over 270 Great Lakes Water Safety Presentations in 7 of the 8 Great Lakes states.

‘Because I said I would’ “2016 Supporter of the Year Award
On April 28, Dave Benjamin of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project traveled to the Cleveland House of Blues and received a “2016 Supporter of the Year” award presented by the nonprofit, ‘Because I said I would’. Because I said I would is a social movement and nonprofit dedicated to the betterment of humanity.

Benjamin’s Promise Video titled “Drowning Doesn’t Look like Drowning” talks about his drowning accident and ends with his dedication to water safety and the creation of a water safety school curriculum.

DROWNING STATISTICS
The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP) announces its current drowning statistics. In 2016, the GLSRP has tracked 12 Great Lakes drownings.  Overall since 2010, the GLSRP has tracked 448 Great Lakes drownings.  Full statistics here (74 drownings in 2010; 87 in 2011; 101 in 2012, 67 in 2013, 54 in 2014, 53 in 2015, and 12 to date in 2016).

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ABOUT THE GLSRP
The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, Inc. (GLSRP) is about saving lives.  It is a nonprofit 501c3 corporation that is a Chapter of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA).  

The GLSPR:

1. Tracks the Great Lakes drowning statistics (450+ drownings since 2010)
2. Performs “Great Lakes Water Safety” presentations and trainings (Over 200 in 7 of the 8 Great Lakes states since 2011)
3. Hosts Open Water Surf Lifeguard Certification training, and
4. Works with family and friends of Great Lakes drowning victims to advocate water safety.

VIDEOS

1. WGN Chicago’s Very Own segment, “Man makes water safety education his life’s passion”
2. Dave Benjamin’s drowning accident and ‘Because I said I would’ water safety promise video
3. John & Kathy Kocher’s “Gentle Giant” ‘Because I said I would promise video.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Like GLSRP’s Facebook Page
Follow GLSRP on Twitter @ripcurrentsafeT

GLSRP ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Since 2011, the GLSRP has performed over 270 Great Lakes Water Safety presentations in 7 of the 8 Great Lakes states

• April 28, 2016 – GLSRP Executive Director, Dave Benjamin, received the “2016 Supporter of the Year” award presented by the nonprofit, ‘Because I said I would’

• April 28, 2016 – GLSRP Board Member, John Kocher and his wife Kathy, received the “2016 Supporter of the Year” award presented by the nonprofit, ‘Because I said I would’

• April 22, 2016 – The GLSRP performed the Keynote Speech and also presented “The Vicious Cycle of the Drowning Epidemic – The Need for a Water Safety School Curriculum” at the Great Lakes Water Safety Consortium Conference in Grand Haven, MI

• April 19, 2016 – The GLSRP performed the Keynote Speech and also presented “The Vicious Cycle of the Drowning Epidemic – The Need for a Water Safety School Curriculum” at the Great Lakes Water Safety Consortium Conference in Cleveland, OH

• April 19, 2016 – GLSRP Board Member, Melissa Zirkle, won the 2016 Superhero of the Year award presented by the Great Lakes Water Safety Consortium

• March 31, 2016 – Presented “The Vicious Cycle of the Drowning Epidemic – The Need for a Water Safety School Curriculum” at the NDPA’s Annual Educational Conference in Mesa, AZ

• March 29, 2016 – The GLSRP received a 2016 NDPA Community Lifesaver Award

• March 29, 2016 – John Kocher, GLSRP Board Member, his wife Kathy received a 2016 NDPA Community Lifesaver Award Winner

• May 6, 2015 – Presented at Great Lakes Beach Hazards and Water Safety Conference in Gaylord, MI

• April 21, 2015 – Co-Hosted and Presented at the Great Lakes Beach Hazards Water Safety Conference in Michigan City, IN

• March 12, 2015 – Melissa Zirkle, GLSRP Board Member, won the 2015 NDPA National Lifesaver of the Year Award Winner

• March 14, 2013 – Presented at the NDPA’s Symposium in Ft. Lauderdale, FL

• November 1, 2012 – Presented at the2^nd International Rip Current Symposium  in Sydney, Australia

• September 3, 2012 – Winner of the “Outstanding Service to the Great Lakes Community” award presented by the Dairyland Surf Classic

• March 9, 2012 – Presentedat the NDPA’s 11^th Annual Symposium in San Diego, CA

• March 8, 2012 – GLSRP Executive Director, Bob Pratt, “National Lifesaver of the Year”award winner

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SAFETY TIPS – What everyone should know before they put their toes on the beach:

• When in doubt, don’t go out!
• Know the Signs of Drowning
• Know the “Flip, Float, and Follow” Drowning Survival Strategy
• GLSRP Water Safety Illustrations
• Know the Great Lakes Dangerous Currents
• Know the 1-10-1Rule of Hypothermia (especially in fall, winter, and spring)
• Drowning Terms to Discontinue
• GLSRP Drowning Statistics