FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project
Dave Benjamin, Executive Director
708-903-0166
dave.benjamin@glsrp.org
www.GLSRP.org
8 bodies pulled from Great Lakes Last Weekend
Another Beach Weather Weekend for Father’s Day
Great Lakes Water Safety Presentation Today 11 a.m. in Wilmette, IL
GREAT LAKES, USA – The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP) announces its current Great Lakes drowning statistics after a deadly weekend and performing a Great Lakes Water Safety presentation today, 11:00 a.m. for the Wilmette Park District, 200 Lake Ave., Wilmette, IL.
In 2016, the GLSRP has tracked 25 Great Lakes drowning. Overall since 2010, the GLSRP has tracked 463 Great Lakes drownings. Full statistics here (74 drownings in 2010; 87 in 2011; 101 in 2012, 67 in 2013, 54 in 2014, 55 in 2015, and 25 to date in 2016). Note: * = (+/-) Awaiting 100% confirmation of drowning.
LAST WEEKEND’S RECOVERIES
Lake Michigan = 3
- 06/10/2015 – John Doe*, M-?, Chicago, A man’s body was pulled from Lake Michigan early Friday morning near Montrose Harbor
- 06/11/2016 – Travonne Shannon, M-17, St. Joseph, MI, Silver Beach Pier Jump.
- 06/13/2016 – Tomasz I. Dratwa*, M-28, body pulled a few blocks south of Oak Street Beach, Chicago around 11:00 a.m.
Lake Superior = 2
- 06/11/2016 – Kaylilyn Tansey, F-22, Drowned struggling in the water at Little Presque Isle
- 06/11/2016 – Justin Schroepfer, M-24, Drowned struggling in the water at Little Presque Isle
Lake Ontario = 2
- 06/12/2016 – Barry Burnett, M-70, Fishing, reported missing from the Bluffer’s Park
- 06/12/2016 – Gerald Ferreira, M-52, Fishing, reported missing from the Bluffer’s Park
Lake Erie = 2
- 06/12/2016 – Jakub Hess, M-16, drowned while swimming in waves at Conneaut Lake Park Beach
WILMETTE PARK DISTRICT WATER SAFETY PRESENTATION
The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP) will be performing a Great Lakes Water Safety presentation today, 11:00 a.m., at the Wilmette Park District, 200 Lake Ave., Wilmette, IL.
The presentation will age appropriately address the following topics so that participants:
- Safely enjoy water and swimming
- Understand that drowning is a leading cause of injury and death
- Recognize the “Signs of Drowning” – How to identify a person in trouble.
- Recognize the dangers of the surf environment keeping personal safety as the primary responsibility
- Understand Dangerous Currents; i.e. how, where, and why dangerous currents occur and how to survive then
- Understand the “Flip, Float, & Follow” dangerous currents survival strategy
- Understand how a flotation device such as a throw ring, throw rope, surfboard or other objects that float can rescue a person in distress or in a dangerous current
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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:
- Tracks the Great Lakes drowning statistics (450+ drownings since 2010)
- Performs “Great Lakes Water Safety” presentations and trainings (Over 200 in 7 of the 8 Great Lakes states since 2011)
- Hosts Open Water Surf Lifeguard Certification training, and
- Works with family and friends of Great Lakes drowning victims to advocate water safety.
Mission: To eradicate drownings by being the leader of Great Lakes water safety by providing training, public preparedness, and public awareness.
Vision: Everyone in the Great Lakes region, nationwide and worldwide, is knowledgeable, engaged and proactive in water safety with an emphasis on the Great Lakes region.
VIDEOS
- WGN Chicago’s Very Own segment, “Man makes water safety education his life’s passion”
- Dave Benjamin’s drowning accident and ‘Because I said I would’ water safety promise video
- 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
