FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project
Dave Benjamin, Executive Director of Public Relations, 708-903-0166
Bob Pratt, Executive Director of Education, 517-643-2553
www.GLSRP.org
GLSRP to present to Over 300 high school and junior high students
As drowning continues to be the leading cause of death worldwide
New Buffalo, MI – The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP) will be presenting to approximately 300 New Buffalo high school and junior high students and faculty, Thursday, May 30, 9:00 a.m., 1112 E. Clay St., New Buffalo, MI 49117.
“I believe in proactive education,” said Nora Howe, retired teacher and swimming coach. “Teaching our kids this knowledge can save lives.”
Howe became involved in Lake Michigan water safety after the increasing drowning incidents the last three years.
“I have always had a great respect for the Great Lakes, and it is my goal that surf and water safety be integrated in the PE curriculum here.”
“Delivering our Great Lakes Water Safety curriculum to another school is a great opportunity to save lives on the Lakes,” said Dave Benjamin, GLSRP executive director. “This is the size of audience that I wish we could present to seven days per week so we could eradicate Great Lakes drowning’s.”
In April nearly 500 people attended two presentations at a high school and junior high in Port Washington, WI.
The GLSRP is currently seeking funding to reformat its “Water Safety School Curriculum” that will be taught in schools in the same format as the Fire Prevention Services, “Stop, Drop, and Roll.
Drowning Overview: CDC Drowning updates on a National Level
- Drowning is a leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide
- Drowning is responsible for more deaths among children 1-4 than any other cause except birth defects.
- For Children 1-14, fatal drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death behind motor vehicle accidents.
- Drowning ranks fifth among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the United States.
- Nearly 80% of people who die from drowning are male.
The GLSRP “Water Safety School Curriculum” has an emphasis on the Great Lakes surf environment, but also covers other water hazards. It target audience are grade school, junior high, and high school students and parents of each age group.
GLSRP Drowning Statistics
Like GLSRP’s FaceBook Page
Follow GLSRP on Twitter @ripcurrentsafeT
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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) that tracks drowning statistics, teaches “Water Safety Surf Rescue” classes, and leads the “Third Coast Ocean Force” rip current awareness campaign on the Great Lakes. Become a member of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project.
The GLSRP presented at the NDPA’s 12th Annual Symposium, March 14, 2013, in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. It presented at the 2nd International Rip Current Symposium Nov. 1st, 2012 in Sydney, Australia; the 2012 winner of the “Outstanding Service to the Great Lakes Community” award presented by the Dairyland Surf Classic; the 2011 “Lifesaver of the Year” award winner; and presented at the NDPA’s 11th Annual Symposium in San Diego, March 9, 2012.
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