FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project
Dave Benjamin, Executive Director, 708-903-0166, dave.benjamin@glsrp.org
Bob Pratt, Executive Director of Education, 517-643-2553, bob.pratt@glsrp.org
www.GLSRP.org
ALERT: Dangerous Currents Forecasted for Saturday’s Gary Air Show
Similar conditions resulted in 2012 drowning
475 Great Lakes drownings since 2010; 46% of them in Lake Michigan
GREAT LAKES, USA – The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP) is issuing a Dangerous Currents Alert for Lake Michigan. There are north to northwest winds forecasted for Saturday, July 9, that may produce 2’ to 6’ waves and dangerous currents.
“Winds equal waves and waves equal dangerous currents on the Great Lakes,” said Dave Benjamin, GLSRP Executive Director. “We can expect to see a combination of rip currents, longshore currents, and structural currents at all beaches tomorrow.
“Depending on which beach you are at and which way the wind is blowing, will depend on which dangerous current will be prevalent at your beach. It’s important to know that Longshore Currents can feed into Outlet Currents and Rip Currents and Longshore Currents can also feed into Structural Currents.”
The Gary Air Show is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
“The surf conditions that are forecasted for Saturday are eerily similar to the 2012 Gary Air Show surf forecast when fifteen year old Cory McFry drowned,” Benjamin added.
McFry was playing in the waters of Lake Michigan with friends when he was swept from a sandbar into water over his head.
In 2016 the GLSRP has tracked 37 Great Lakes drownings. Overall since 2010, the GLSRP has tracked 475 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 37 to date in 2016).
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
- Know the Great Lakes Dangerous Currents
- Always designate a Water Watcher
- Know the Stigma of Drowning
- Know the Vicious Cycleof the Drowning Epidemic
- GLSRP Water Safety Illustrations
- Drowning Terms to Discontinue
- GLSRP Drowning Statistics
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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 (475+ drownings since 2010)
- Performs “Great Lakes Water Safety” presentations and trainings (Over 295 in 7 of the 8 Great Lakes states since 2011)
- Works with family and friends of Great Lakes drowning victims to advocate water safety.
- Hosts Open Water Surf Lifeguard Certification training
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
SOCIAL MEDIA
Like GLSRP’s Facebook Page
Follow GLSRP on Twitter @ripcurrentsafeT
