FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project
Dave Benjamin, Executive Director
708-903-0166
dave.benjamin@glsrp.orgg
www.GLSRP.org
Water Safety Presentations coming to Michigan City School
Great Lakes Drowning rise at record pace
GREAT LAKES, USA – The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP) will be partnering with the Michigan City fire department and the Parks and Recreation Department to perform Great Lakes Water Safety School Presentations Thursday, Sept. 29, 7:49 a.m. at Barker Middle School, 319 Barker Rd., Michigan City, IN 46360.
“Water safety is extremely important in our area,” said Amy Hammon, Curriculum Coach at Barker Middle School. “Students do not realize the dangers of Lake Michigan.”
“Our school has had two tragedies this past summer. It’s time to infuse water safety into our Science curriculum each year and turn the tragedies into something positive and meaningful that will save lives.”
“Pier safety and water safety can be easily infused into our Science curriculum at the middle school level.”
At Barker Middle School, students study Earth systems, weather, water, and the water cycle. It may now also integrate a purposeful study of Lake Michigan’s winds, waves, and dangerous currents.
The school is also implementing a project-based learning technology-infused Public Service Announcement project where its 7th and 8th grade students will research, plan, and create 1-minute videos to be shown at local elementary schools to take ownership of learning about the dangers of Lake Michigan and to become mentors to younger students about the dangers of Lake Michigan.
“Even though summer is over, drownings on the Great Lakes continue to rise at a record pace,” said Dave Benjamin, GLSRP Executive Director. “As the swimming season ends, we may still see a lot of drownings from pier wash offs, paddle sports, and boating accidents.”
The GLSRP is tracking 84 Great Lakes drownings to date in 2016. Overall since 2010, the GLSRP has tracked 522 Great Lakes drownings. Full statistics here.
PRESENTATION SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY, SEPT. 29,
Great Lakes Water Safety School Presentations at
Barker Middle School
319 Barker Rd., Michigan City, IN 46360.
- 7:49 a.m.
- 8:40 a.m.
- 9:31 a.m.
- 10:22 a.m.
- 10:55 a.m.
- 11:46 a.m.
- 12:37 a.m.
- 1:28 p.m.
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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 (522+ drownings since 2010)
- Performs “Great Lakes Water Safety” presentations and trainings (Over 300 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 and First Responder In-service 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
- 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
