Carl F. Hazel, 66, of Albion, who was on a fishing boat that sank Aug. 25 about 9 miles off of the Orleans County shore. Here are some resources to help you get started. One of the biggest concerns with Lake Superior is the water temperature; it fluctuates very little in the summer time. The diver was with a commercial dive group on the boat the Aquatica, operated by Windy City Diving, according to the Coast Guard. Nine of last years drowning were in Northwest Indiana, including two in Michigan City. Walz signs bill restoring voting rights for 55K felons, Convicted Salvation Army arsonist charged with trashing Caribou in Brooklyn Park, Minneapolis student pointed gun at another student, dean stepped between them: Charges, Man indicted in 2021 murder of St. LAKE MICHIGAN =40 plus 4 critical orunknown condition, Lake Michigan Critical or Unknown Condition = 4, Lake Ontario Critical or Unknown Condition, LAKE MICHIGAN = 46 Plus 6 listed in Critical Condition, LAKE MICHIGAN6LastListed in CRITICAL CONDITION, 2012Great Lakes Drowning Statistics = 99; 260 since 2010, 2011Great Lakes Drowning Statistics = 87; 161 since 2010, 2010Great Lakes Drowning Statistics = 74433, 09/23/2020 MLIVE Lake Michigan Documentary The Deadliest Great Lake, Good Morning AmericaBoater helps rescue toddler stranded on inflatable duck, Inside EditionToddler Sobs as He Drifts Out on Lake Michigan on Giant Duck Float, NBC 5 ChicagoClose Call Caught on Cam on Lake Michigan After Toddler on Inflatable Duck Carried Away by Wind What began as a peaceful day at the lake in Michigan City, Indiana, quickly turned to panic Monday afternoon. A person who is drowning will usually be facing shore, their mouth will be at water level and may have their head tipped back. But Benjamin says jumping in isnt the first thing we should do in an emergency. You wouldnt try to put your seatbelt on during a car crash. That's a lot of water. Lifeguards at nearby Hamburg Town Beach tried reaching Biehler, but they were unable to. In this most recent drowning, a 10-year-old girl was swimming near the area where the Pike River meets the lake Saturday evening when she began having trouble in the water. 06/30/2018 ABC 7 GLSRP at IL DNR Lake Michigan Water Trail Event at Winthrop Harbor. 07/10/2020 Record Eagle Editorial: Enjoy beaches and lakes with care Take a few moments this week, next week or whenever you next arrive at a beach or boat launch to redouble your water safety efforts. 09/10/2017 The Cutoff News Surfing the Region: Filmmaker brings documentary to NWI. Knowing how to swim is not enough; you need to know how to survive.. And that comes from a place of misunderstanding. Lake Michigan = 45 (+6 unknown final outcome or Cause of death) Lake Superior = 6 Lake Huron = 12 (+1 unknown final outcome) . The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project says that many of the 53 deaths in Lake Michigan in 2020 were preventable. He talks about a recent rescue effort that he personally joined in, at Washington Park beach in Michigan City, and offers tips to swimmers when they step into Lake Michigan. Sat. Since 2010, the GLSRP said there have been 762 drownings in the Great Lakes. The waves were 2 to 3 feet, he said, the current running north extremely hard.. And Hoffmaster has been researching how the city might have access to coronavirus relief funds from the federal and state governments. Underwater visibility in places reaches 30 meters 100 feet. He cited the cost of the body recovery for the U.S. Coast Guard, county dive teams, police departments, and fire departments, as well as the overtime and fuel for the helicopter and boats used in the recovery. , M-38 His body was pulled from Montrose Harbor, hours after a person went missing in the water in Chicagos Playpen area of Lake Michigan Wednesday night, according to CPD. Great Lakes drownings are just the tip of the iceberg of the nationwide drowning crisis., 09/08/2018 Fox 6 News On track to be the worst year on record: Almost 100 people have drowned in the Great Lakes in 2018. It's made Thunder Bay the highest per capita opioid death rate in Ontario. Inexperienced or non-swimmers should wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Future of New Buffalo lifeguard program in doubt New Buffalo leaders are still debating the future of the citys lifeguard program. If you find yourself in a panicked drowning situation, flip yourself on to your back, float to get yourself and your breathing under control, and then follow a safe path out of the water. Most sailors on Lake Superior have known fear. 08/01/2020 South Bend Tribune Lake Michigan claims three lives in one day So far this year, 25 of the 48 drownings in the Great Lakes have occurred in Lake Michigan highlighting its reputation as the most dangerous of the lakes for swimmers. The body has not yet been identified by the Cook County medical examiners office. Saturday evening, 10-year-old Joshua Torres, of Chicago, and 14-year-old Malik Freeman, of Aurora, were pulled from the water within an hour of each other at the same Indiana Dunes State Park beach. We noticed that at that time there was no signage about the rip currents or the dangers of Lake Michigan, James Schmidt said. 06/09/2020 MLIVE Double drowning tragedy underscores danger of Great Lakes The thing about drowning is its 100 percent preventable, said David Benjamin, executive director of public relations at the Great Lakes Rescue Surf Project. Beachgoers behaviours may have become more reckless during the pandemic, leading them to ignore or simply not notice posted warning signs. If people think they are starting to drown, they need to remain calm and flip onto their backs and float. If you cant survive the initial drowning experience, youre not going to make it out. If in a water emergency, swimmers should flip over onto their back, float to keep their head above water, calm themselves down and conserve energy, and then follow the current to assess which way its flowing. Find an Obituary. A GoFundMe page has been setup to help Nugents family with funeral costs. And if youre drowning education comes from what youve seen on movies and television, you may miss the moment when your help is needed most. Sturgeon Lake, Minnesota. The first girl might have been OK, but the second girl definitely would not. Its obvious how dangerous Lake Michigan can be. 08/30/2017 Harbor County News Summer of Saving Swimmers: New Buffalo lifeguards reflect on busy season NEW BUFFALO The lifeguard crew at New Buffalos public beach has been very busy this summer. Lake Superior has been described as " the most . Director Dave Benjamin acknowledges the threat posed by meteotsunamis, but he said only one-third of the drownings in the region are caused by dangerous waves or currents. Reported that CPR was given by Coast Guard and taken to Evanston from Wilmette Harbor. In 2016, 98 people drowned in the Great Lakes ranging in age from about 9 to 75, according to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, a nonprofit that tracks incidents and spreads awareness. Officials say EMS performed CPR as they rushed the man to the hospital. Im not unsympathetic. 05/17/2017 Chicago Sun-Times Balmy temps and frigid Lake Michigan a lethal mix Tianna Hollinside, 13, and Juan Cornelio, 23, may have never known what hit them before they joined the ranks of Chicagoans who died too young. Adults should constantly and actively watch their children. Dave Benjamin of The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project gave a safety presentation at Wells Street Beach in Gary Saturday. It was during one of those breaks that Gerard, owner of the Third Coast Surf Shop, noticed commotion near the pier. 05/22/2019 Herald Palladium Water safety training on North Pier ST. JOSEPH The St. Joseph Department of Public Safety and the Berrien County Sheriffs Department will host a joint water safety event on the North Pier at Tiscornia Beach at noon Sunday. . According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am, driven by 29-year-old Ryan Matthew Halvorson, was southbound on Highway 29. Superior Obituaries | Local Obits for Superior, WI - Legacy.com For those folks, Benjamin has some advice: Dont go out in an inflatable raft with an offshore wind, he says. 07/31/2020 WSBT So far this year 24 people have drowned in Lake Michigan Water safety advocate Dave Benjamin has spent the past 10 years tracking Lake Michigan drownings. He went underwater and never resurfaced. The year 2012 was the deadliest of those years, with 50 drownings; 2016 followed with 46. 06/30/2018-2 ABC 7 GLSRP at IL DNR Lake Michigan Water Trail Event at Winthrop Harbor Chicago Weather: Excessive Heat Warning in effect for area as heat wave continues Saturday. 08/28/2018 NPR: Ideas Stream It has been a deadly year on Lake Erie. The search was called off at about 4 p.m. Weve used literally everything at our disposal today firefighters, drones, a helicopter, sonar and have been unable to locate the victim at this point, said Battalion Chief Matthew Haerter. 06/07/2017 Northwest Indiana Times Training to combat drowning in the Region Here in Northwest Indiana, drowning is always top of mind for lifeguards, especially those who trained on Tuesday morning at Washington Park beach in Michigan City, and on Monday at Whihala Beach in Whiting, as part of the Open Water Surf Lifeguard In-Service Training Program. One thing for sure is it takes a community willing to come together to prevent drownings. Its not like the movies, with a lot of splashing and yelling, he said. After that his mom went before the township board and talked to them and asked them to make some safety changes which they did. Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron above the seasonal long-term average Thursday, January 5, 2023 . From 2019 to 2020, the estimated age-adjusted death rate increased by 15.9%, from 715.2 to 828.7 deaths per 100,000 population. Heres how to stay safe in Lake Michigan this summer. You have to, instead of fight to survive, you have to roll over and get your breathing under control, said Benjamin. Southend: The Place Where I Go Surfing was screened Sept. 14 at The Towle Theater in Hammond and will be screened again Sept. 22 at Fire and Water At Washington Park in Michigan City. Hooffstetter was a Deans List student majoring in criminology and psychology. Dan Prozanski Jr., stepping up water safety education annually in middle and high schools, guided by the U.S. Coast Guard in cooperation with the Kenosha police and fire departments, the Kenosha YMCA and the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. Its a silent epidemic that gets very little proactive funding or attention., 02/09/2018 Petosky News Water safety education important at any age, 02/05/2018 WWMT Lake Michigan Winter Surfing, 01/28/2018 Lake Michigan Surfing Mike Killions Monday Recap for the boyz, 01/28/2018 Lake Michigan Surfing Gerri Matras Lanter Video, 01/02/2018 CTV News We must do better: Group tracks 88 drownings on Great Lakes in 2017, 01/01/2018 PR 88 Great Lakes Drownings in 2017; 625 Great Lakes Drownings since 2010 Mom of drowning victim speaks out and helping schedule Water Safety Presentations for 2018. In fact, it's so large that it could hold the water from all of the other Great Lakes, along with three more Lake Eries! 05/24/2017 Tinley Junction Tinley Park couple spreads water safety message in memory of son Tinley Park residents John and Kathy Kocher, teaching water safety and giving back to their community is more than just a passion for them; it is their mission. Share: In light of civil litigation from the 2020 Kenosha protests, we learn more about wrongful death lawsuits. This isnt just a little gasp, like the kind youd experience if somebody jumped out of a closet and scared you, says the National Center for Cold Water Safety. Children and adults should not engage in breath holding activities. Educators like Benjamin want the phrase Flip, Float and Follow to become as well known as the Stop, Drop and Roll instructions for those who catch on fire. If you smelled smoke right now, you would look for a fire alarm. Her husband, other beachgoers and just two lifeguards went into the water to help, Freeman said. 11/08/2017 WBAY ABC 2 State of Lake Michigan conference highlights importance of water safety education One man says water safety education in schools could help stop what he calls a drowning epidemic in the Midwest. When a drowning happens, people often blame the victim or the parents or Darwinism. 08/11/2022 CHICAGO NEAR GRANT PARK 7:15 p.m. near the 700 block of South DuSable Lake Shore Drive Carnell Williams, M-45. Sain, who lived in Chicago, was one of two boaters who had been missing since July 27, since going boating from East Chicago. There may be sudden drop-offs, inshore holes, or debris/trees submerged along some shorelines. The 44 deaths were a 40 per cent increase from 2017, a year in which Thunder Bay also held the highest provincial rate. To date in 2017, there have been 9 drowning in Lake Michigan.05/15/2017 WSBT 22 Students learn beach safety in Michigan City. In Lake Michigan so far this year, 33 people have drowned. All these hazards are leading right into Memorial weekend, Benjamin said. 06/07/2017 Northwest Indiana Times Gallery: Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project lifeguard training. According to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, there have already been at least five Great Lakes drownings this year, with three of them in Lake Michigan. Instead of lifeguards, he said, the beach would use existing flags and signs noting that visitors are swimming at their own risk. This week Bradford Beach has been crammed as temperatures hit the 70s and 80s. If a person is drowning, theres a very small window about four minutes to rescue them without irreversible brain damage, or, in the worst-case scenario, death. Because of the number of boats, kayaks, Jet Skis and paddle-boats in the lake off of Hamburgs shoreline, Denecke said the town takes extra precautions and stations some crew along the shoreline even when swimming at the towns beach is closed. 08/11/2017 My Sheboygan Sheboygan resident and surfer Larry Williams talks about water safety. To date, there . If a person doesnt have a life jacket they are going to die of drowning before they die of hypothermia, Benjamin said. You change the attitude and position of the bow which causes more water to come under the bow, which could cause someone to think they were sinking, Schmidt said. 07/21/2020 Fox 6 Milwaukee SE Wisconsin sees sharp rise in drownings this summer; COVID-19 could play role, 07/21/2020 WNEM Teens body found in Lake Michigan after weekend drowning, 07/21/2020 WILX Teens body found in Lake Michigan after weekend drowning, 07/20/2020 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Teen who drowned saving two young family members was remembered for always doing the right thing, 07/20/2020 WLS 7 Chicago Local swim school offers swimming safety tips for parents, 07/17/2020 Fox 17 Frightening video of kids nearly swept off of Michigan City pier on Sunday, 07/16/2020 News Radio 780 WBBM Swimmer Dies After Going Underwater For 40 Minutes In Lake Michigan At Promontory Point, 07/16/2020 WSBT Michigan City looks to build barrier after scary video is shared online. In addition theres the lost revenue for closing the beach and negative publicity to overcome with the drowning. 06/05/2017 Lakeshore Public Radio Dont become another drowning statistic. Awards Conferred 2020-2021. Thats why the U.S. Coast Guard in St. Joseph, Michigan is stressing water safety as the seasons begin to change. The occupants were picked up by the police boat. 05/30/2019 WWMT Data shows deadly year so far on Great Lakes 751 Great Lakes Drownings since 2010; 11 to date in 2019 GREAT LAKES, USA The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP) announces its current drowning statistics. As the drowning deaths increased on the Great Lakes, the city of Marquette reports zero drowning deaths in 2018. There are also signs warning the dangers of rip current. And 2020 had already been a more deadly year on the lakes than 2019. During this time students will learn the following safety tips to practice when in and around the water: Only swim when and where there is a lifeguard on duty; never swim alone. Its fun to learn from people that have the same passion for lifeguarding that we do, she said. Eventually, the Coast Guard realized the calls were coming from Lake Superior. 08/31/2018 WZZM Father and three children die after kayak capsizes in Lake Superior Going into Labor Day weekend, the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project is warning people to be careful around the water. And why should we waste money on stupid? But thats not right.. 09/29/2020 Parent Security #childsafetytips | Lake Michigan communities and drowning Does your coastal town have a lifeguard on duty? Its not worth it. Finally, if you have to choose just one flotation device for your next trip to the beach, he says, make it a U.S. Coast Guard-approved, properly fitting life jacket., 06/07/2018 Detroit News Near-tragedy inspires [Jamie Racklyefts] Great Lakes anti-drowning effort, 07/06/2018 ABC 7 dangerous waves, rip currents make local beaches hazardous. Find an obituary, get service details, leave condolence messages or send flowers or gifts in memory of a loved one. Five-year old, Annaliese sat near the bow. Then, either swim perpendicular to the flow until reaching safety, or continue floating and try to signal for help if too tired to swim. Keeping in mind three simple steps if you find yourself in dangerous water can be a life saver. MUNSING, Mich. (WLUC) - UPDATE: The body of the second kayaker that died on Lake Superior near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore was recovered on Friday . And on a stand-up paddle board, he says, attach the leash to your ankle, which helps you to retrieve the board after you fall off. 07/14/2020 Fox 17 Search for missing swimmer now a recovery mission in South Haven The Great Lakes Surf Rescue project, a non-profit that keeps tabs of drownings, says so far this year 16 people have already drowned in Lake Michigan. Instead, drownings are subtle and look like someone with their head above water. Ive written too many columns on drowning deaths in Lake Michigan. When youre panicking, its an emotional and an irrational response to the situation. My sister and I have rescued 17 people, said 21-year-old Emily Richards while setting up for another day of guarding the beach on Friday, Aug. 25. 06/04/2019 Southtown Star Just because you know how to swim, doesnt mean you know how to survive As pool and beach season gets underway safety experts remind water lovers not to have a false sense of security because a lifeguard is on duty or because they know how to swim. . Boat sales have also spiked nationally, according to International Boat Industry magazine, which means there will be a lot of inexperienced first-time boat owners out there, Benjamin said. We still have four more months to go, Benjamin said. The parents tried placing the other two children on top of the kayak, but they kept slipping off. 04/14/2020 Patch Homewood Man Wins Lifesaver of The Year Award Dave Benjamin has been recognized for his efforts to prevent drownings across the Great Lakes. There have been six in 2018 already. The meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, and will focus on gathering public feedback on the draft of the new general management plan. Since pools closed for summer, more people are heading to the beach. The Chicago Park District assigns each beach a color-coded flag. After alarming rise in Utah jail deaths, lawmakers turn to suicide barriers Winds are the primary source of the dangerous currents on the Great Lakes, said Dave Benjamin, GLSRP Executive Director. The message is to Flip, Float and Follow in a water emergency. During the first 200 days of the Covid-19 pandemic in Poland, lower morbidity and mortality due to SARS-COV-2 infection were recorded in three regions covered by many small and large lakes (West Pomerania 5.8 deaths/100 000 population, Warmian and Masurian 7.6 deaths/100 000 population, Lubusz 7.3 deaths /100 000 population, compared . CPD took over and brought the man to shore in Evanston, along with Coast Guard personnel assisting on the way. Lifeguards say they need practice to make sure they can get you out of trouble. 04/23/2018 WSBT New Buffalo leaders have decided to keep lifeguard program for the summer, 04/19/2018 Record Eagle Free YMCA class encourages adults to test the waters, 04/18/2018 Water Safety in Racine The City of Racine, Wisconsin is using the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project projects illustrations, the Signs of Drowning and Flip Float and Follow. We need a water safety school curriculum to save future generations from drowning. I cannot stress enough that drowning really is a public health issue that needs to be treated like a public health issue. Eric Przykuta, a 43-year-old seventh-grade science teacher at Lancaster Middle School, died in an evening accident when the fishing boat he was riding in with two other men struck the breakwall near the Small Boat Harbor. Any month of the year there is the potential for high waves in the Great Lakes. 10/15/2020 Ludington Daily News Is Lake Michigan the most dangerous Great Lake? It was a simple solution that became very complex. [NOTE: 2018 stats are currently under review for final confirmation], 740 Great Lakes Drownings since 2010 (+/-). Wasserman said there have not been lifeguards at McKinley Beach for more than a decade. Ultimately, the children needed to be rescued. The Daily Deaths, 2020 - Statistics Canada Yet despite of an average of 33 drownings per year, very few Lake Michigan beaches have lifeguards watching the waves. While there may be a little bit of splashing, lifeguards call it climbing the ladder, it will be this vertical motion of just trying to keep their head above the surface of the water, and especially with children it may only last a matter of second, says Pratt. A water safety advocate and other beachgoers are calling out local government officials after the city reportedly decided not to include lifeguards at Washington Park Beach for Summer 2020, including this weekend. As the winds travel farther north, the winds will also create waves and dangerous currents such as long-shore currents, rip currents and structural currents, Benjamin said. It is argued that self-isolation fatigue resulted in large beach crowds, said Houser. In November of that same year, she went to the Port Sheldon Township Board and pleaded for warning signs and other safety equipment. Additionally, one person pulled from Lake Michigan was last listed in critical condition, and two scuba divers from Illinois who died in the big lake. But we got no replies.. WBBMs Mike Krauser talks with Dave Benjamin, Executive Director at the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project about the risk of drowning and water safety. Since 2010, 662 people have drowned in the Great Lakes, with nearly half of those drownings taking place on Lake Michigan. That defining moment in the Kochers lives was the moment they knew they had to do something about water safety and drowning prevention, Kathy said. Lake Ontario saw its own share of water-related tragedies this summer with at least three drownings in five weeks, including: In Hazels case, authorities said he was wearing a life jacket when his boat sank. A mayday was called and divers on the boat were able to locate the man and get him on-board. He did not resurface. Basically a remote controlled life ring, or drone, that could be kept at swimming beaches, on board vessels for man overboard situations or in emergancy response vehicles for cases involving potential drownings. Listed as an accidental drowning. Everyone went into the water. Experts say too often swimmers overestimate their abilities and underestimate dangerous conditions. Annual Wisconsin Death Report, 2018 P-01170-20 (December 2020) Report Narrative (PDF) Detailed Tables (Excel) Technical Notes (PDF) Other reports and data products 07/15/2020 Detroit Feee Press 2 children seen running as high waves almost take them underwater, 07/15/2020 CBS 2 Chicago Video Shows Two Kids Nearly Swept Away By Waves On Michigan City Pier, 07/15/2020 Northwest Indiana Times WATCH NOW: Footage of children nearly swept into Lake Michigan amid crashing waves. 06/21/2018 MLIVE 99% of Great Lakes drowning victims werent wearing a life jacket Since 2010, 643 people have drowned in the Great Lakes and all but six of those victims werent wearing a personal flotation device. Awards Conferred 2019-2020. Patrick Tedeski was recovered Aug. 7 from Belmont Harbor. 09/26/2017 Manistee News Advocate Fall and winter season pose new hazards to fishermen The danger of drowning doesnt disappear with the summer season. But with high water levels and erosion leading to smaller beach fronts, many are packing in, leading to increased concern over water safety. 05/24/2020 Record Eagle Warm air, cold water create deadly situation The frigid water, high water levels and the fact that public pools are closed because of COVID-19 have created the perfect storm for cold water drownings, said Dave Benjamin, executive director of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, a nonprofit that tracks drownings and advocates for Great Lakes water safety. Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes. With the new attraction set to open this weekend, Bob Pratt and Dave Benjamin of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project spent the day teaching summer campers and kids about proper water safety. A windsurfer was able to save the 11-year-old boy, but the boys 10-year-old cousin drowned. He and Houser believe the pandemic is responsible for the increased drownings because the increase could not be attributed to the warm summer weather this year. Statistics - Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project Great Lakes drownings Three of the warmest summers this decade have also brought the three highest numbers of annual drownings. Death statistics for 2020 reveal its not how and who the virus is Dont swim alone. If you go to a beach without lifeguards, you are on your own, he said. The nonprofit annually tracks drownings in the Great Lakes and recently issued a warning about a summer spike in deaths. It could be kayakers, people on paddleboards or other recreational activities. (Full Storyhere). Overall since 2010, the GLSRP has tracked 625 Great Lakes drownings. And this stigma actually inhibits funding against drowning because the theme becomes, Only stupid people drown. Their best thing wouldve been to stay with the kayak. Benjamin said 80 percent of drowning victims are male. On top of all that, she trains day and night to Shipwreck discovered in Lake Superior after 130 years: 'Still beautiful' And its been one of the most important, too. There are also another 5 outcomes who are unknown on the other lakes. Many of these deaths happen when people swimming end up in dangerous currents such as rip or structural-caused currents. 07/15/2019 WZZM 13 Water safety advocates continue push to bring back lifeguards on Michigan beaches The drowning of a boy in South Haven has ignited the debate again if Michigan beaches need lifeguards. 07/31/2020 NWI Times UPDATE: 2 people drown, 1 still missing at Lake Michigan beaches as hazards statements were in effect, 07/31/2020 ABC 57 Recent Lake Michigan drownings reminder of rip current dangers, 07/31/2020 MLIVE Off-duty DNR officer saves swimmer in Lake Superior, 07/31/2020 NWI Times Lake Michigan beaches saw 1 drowning, 2 missing people as hazards statements were in effect. It has been a deadly summer on beaches along the Great Lakes, with significantly more drownings than in pre-COVID years, a pair of UWindsor researchers has found. We were told NO MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL WAS AVAILABLE. It has currents; it has waves; it has wind.. The most recent drowning in Lake Erie according to the GLSRP occurred Friday morning when a man jumped out his boat near Put-in-Bay. Rip Currents To get out of a rip current, it is advised to Flip, Float, Follow until the current subsides to save your energy and reduce your risk of drowning. None of the victims wore life jackets. The boy is the 16th person to drown in Lake Michigan so far this year, according to Dave Benjamin, executive director of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. They didnt set any money aside in the budget for this summer or next. This year, seven have drown so far.