FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project
Dave Benjamin, Executive Director
708-903-0166
dave.benjamin@glsrp.org
www.GLSRP.org
Lake Michigan Water Safety Presentation for
Valparaiso Swim Club and the general public
As Great Lakes drownings continue to rise in 2017
GREAT LAKES, USA – The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP) announces that the Valparaiso Swim Club will be hosting a GLSRP Lake Michigan Water Safety Presentation, Monday, May 8, 6:30 p.m., at Flint Lake Elementary School, 4106 Calumet Ave, Valparaiso, IN. This presentation comes as the beaches begin to prepare for summer visitors and Great Lakes drownings continue to rise.
The importance of Lake Michigan water safety education
“Being part of the local swimming community, I felt the need to spread the vital information of water safety,” said Dawn Brown, President of the Valparaiso Swim Club. “The number of drowning victims in our area every summer is heartbreaking. I do not feel enough people know that the power of the Great Lakes must be understood and respected.”
“One of the best things about living in Northwest Indiana is the access to Lake Michigan. We just need to spread the word to EVERYONE how to enjoy it safely. Knowledge is power. Knowing how to react and what actions to take in the event of a potential drowning situation can save your life and the lives of others.”
According to Brown, her swim club participants enjoy Lake Michigan for open water swimming, boating, fishing, Stand-up Paddle boarding, wind surfing, SCUBA, and body surfing.
“One of my biggest fears is that swimmers, competitive swimmers especially, feel overly confident when swimming in Lake Michigan. It is easy to forget the power of the waves and dangerous currents.
Great Lakes Drownings on the rise
The GLSRP is currently tracking 14 Great Lakes drownings in 2017. In 2016 the GLSRP tracked 99 Great Lakes drownings; 46 of those were in Lake Michigan plus 6 more Lake Michigan drowning accidents that were last listed in critical condition; up 84% over 2015’s 25 Lake Michigan drownings. Overall since 2010, the GLSRP has tracked over 551 Great Lakes drownings (Full statistics here).
“Unfortunately we know that the big picture of drowning continues to be a neglected public health issue [2015 WHO report] and we know that it needs to be part of the school curriculum and addressed year round,” said Dave Benjamin, GLSRP executive director.
“Water safety and drowning survival is not common sense. It’s a silent epidemic that gets very little proactive funding or attention. We believe that water safety and drowning survival is not rocket science,” Benjamin added. “It is simple bullet pointed information that is not being efficiently or effectively delivered.”
LAKE MICHIGAN WATER SAFETY PRESENTATION
WHO:
The Valparaiso Swim Club and
The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project
WHAT:
Lake Michigan Water Safety Presentation
WHERE:
Flint Lake Elementary School
4106 Calumet Ave, Valparaiso, IN 46383
WHEN:
Monday, May 8, 2017
6:30 p.m.
WHY:
Because drowning continues to be a neglected public health issue, so stay safe and have fun at the beach this summer!
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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 (551+ drownings since 2010)
- Performs “Great Lakes Water Safety” presentations and trainings (Over 372 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 Training 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
