Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project Becomes Chapter of National Drowning Prevention Alliance
The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project tracks Great Lakes drowning statistics, teaches “Water Safety Surf Rescue” classes, and leads the “Third Coast Ocean Force” rip current awareness campaign on the Great Lakes.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, April 5, 2012—The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP) has been elevated to chapter status by the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA).
The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project teaches classes about Great Lake rip currents, signs of drowning and surf rescue techniques throughout the Great Lakes region. The Project’s Director of Education, Bob Pratt, of East Lansing, Michigan, is the NDPA 2011 “Lifesaver of the Year Award” winner and was a presenter at the NDPA’s 11th Annual Symposium in San Diego.
“We are proud to add the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, which has already saved many lives, as a chapter, said Kim Burgess of Ft. Lauderdale, executive director of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance. “The NDPA will help the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project reach an even broader audience with our lifesaving message.”
The GLSRP tracks Great Lakes drowning statistics, teaches “Water Safety Surf Rescue” classes, and leads the “Third Coast Ocean Force” rip current awareness campaign on the Great Lakes. In 2011, the GLSRP tracked 87 drownings and performed six "Water Safety Surf Rescue" classes along the coast of Lake Michigan. For summer 2012, the GLSRP was asked to perform at least 14 classes on Great Lakes beaches (Traverse City, Frankfort, Grand Haven, St. Joseph, and New Buffalo, MI; Michigan City, Portage, and Whiting, IN; Chicago, IL; Racine, Milwaukee and Sheboygan, WI; Duluth, MN; and Sherkston, Canada).
The “Water Safety Surf Rescue” classes are presented to the average beach goer, surfers, lifeguards, police officers, fire fighters, water rescue teams, and dive team members.
As part of its responsibility to NDPA, the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project will help NDPA develop staff trainings and provide informative content for the NDPA website. In return, the National Drowning Prevention Alliance will give the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project program and educational materials and help with fundraising and promotion.
Drowning is the second leading cause of death in children and the sixth leading cause of death among all ages nationally. Between 1999 and 2009 an average of more than 3,500 U.S. lives were lost each year due to unintentional drowning. The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project started tracking the number of Great Lake drownings two years ago.
So far, in 2012, 13 people have drowned in the Great Lakes. That’s an 117% increase since this time last year and a 333% increase since this time in 2010. Overall, since 2010, 174 people have drowned in the Great Lakes (74 in 2010; 87 in 2011; and 13, to date, in 2012).
Please visit NDPA.org and PoolSafely.gov for aquatic safety tips, informational videos and children’s games and activities.
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The National Drowning Prevention Alliance is a volunteer-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2004. NDPA members are dedicated to preventing drowning for all age groups in all bodies of water through public education, advocacy and strategic partnerships. The public is invited to join by visiting NDPA.org.
The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP) is about saving lives. The nonprofit corporation is a Chapter of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA), the 2011 “Lifesaver of the Year” award winner, and presenter at the NDPA’s 11th Annual Symposium.
