Recent Lake Michigan Drownings Prompt Labor Day Safety Alert

Last weekend marked the highest number of rip tide-related deaths across the Great Lakes Region for 2011.

Five people drowned in Lake Michigan, including , between Aug. 26 and 28, according to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP).

In light of the recent deaths and the upcoming Labor Day weekend, the U.S. Coast Guard issued a general safety reminder Wednesday.

Rip currents "are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from the shore," according to the National Weather Service.

"Rip currents are a lot stronger than other waves and not as easy as to see in lakes as they are in the ocean," said Dave Benjamin, class organizer and media GLSRP, told Patch. "In the Great Lakes you’ve got waves every three to seven seconds."

Earlier:

And while drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death for swimmers aged 5 to 44, according to the U.S. Coast Guard, Benjamin said most people don't heed the alerts.

"Everytime someone drowns in a rip current, they aren't supposed to be swimming there," Benjamin said.

, who drowned in a no-swimming area near Saturday, the incoming ETHS' freshman's death has raised safety concerns amongst community members.

"It's really important to heed the warning signs," said Marcia Cleveland, an Evanston resident who teaches open swim lessons in Wilmette. "I’ve seen those rocks, I wouldn’t let my children be on them, they are really dangerous."

Cleveland, who swam the English Channel in 1995, also said that swimmers need to take caution when rip tide warnings are issued.

"The rip tide warning is sort of saying like there is a tornado in the water, but you have to take it seriously." Cleveland said.

Roughy 80 percent of beach rescues are a result of someone being caught in a rip tide, according to United States Lifesaving Association. If caught in a rip current, Benjamin and Cleveland said the best way to escape is to remain calm.

"All the training in the world isn’t going to get you to the other side of a rip tide," Cleveland said.

To encourage safety this holiday weekend, GLSRP has issued a rip current safety alert.

"Monday’s going to be huge, if the current forecast holds out, you're going to see rip currents from Michigan to Indiana," Benjamin said. "Unfortunately, I hate to say it, but somebody’s going to drown this weekend."

U.S. Coast Guard Safety Swim Tips:

• Swim near a lifeguard — U.S. Lifesaving Association statistics during a 10-year period show that the chance of drowning at a beach without lifeguard protection is almost five times as great as drowning at a beach with lifeguards.
• Never swim alone — Many drownings involve single swimmers. Learn water rescue techniques you can use if someone you are swimming with is in danger.
• Don’t fight the current — If caught in a rip current, don’t fight it by trying to swim directly to shore. Instead, swim parallel to shore until you feel the current relax, then swim to shore. Most rip currents are narrow and a short swim parallel to shore will bring a swimmer to safety.
• Swim sober — Alcohol is a major factor in drowning. Alcohol can reduce body temperature and impair swimming ability. Both alcohol and drugs impair good judgment, which may cause people to take risks they would not otherwise take.
• Don’t float where you can’t swim — Non-swimmers and weak swimmers often use flotation devices, such as inflatable rafts, to go offshore. If they fall off, they can quickly drown. No one should use a flotation device unless they are able to swim. The only exception is a person wearing an inherently buoyant Coast Guard approved Type I, II or III personal flotation device, or life jacket.
• Prepare for the unexpected — Wear a life jacket while participating in any activity during which you could unexpectedly enter the water, such as when fishing from break walls or piers.
• Avoid unnecessary risks — Walking along break walls is risky because it only takes a momentary loss of footing to invite tragedy. Jumping from break walls, waterside structures or into unfamiliar water is extremely dangerous since unseen underwater hazards may exist.
• Additional water safety tips are available on the U.S. Lifesaving Association website.