A hot summer meant folks in Michiana headed to the beach for a little cool down. Unfortunately not every dip in the water was a positive experience. We're on pace for a record number of drownings in Lake Michigan this year.
One Group wants to stop the drownings. And they say education is key. The Great Surf Rescue Project held a water safety class in New Buffalo Today. Christine Forystek was among those who attended. Sadly, she lost her teenage son Cory when he drowned in July in Lake Michigan.
"You always think it's never gonna happen to me it's never gonna happen to my kid," said Forystek.
Now Forystek wants to prevent others from drowning. She brought friends and family with her to a water safety class in New Buffalo Sunday so they could educate themselves. What they learned they plan to teach to others. "What happened to Cory, he didn't know what to do so now it's really pushing me to where I want kids to know I want to be able to save at least one life," said Forystek.
The class will help her do that. Educational Director for Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, Bob Pratt, said the best thing someone can do is learn how to recognize a drowning and how to help. "By the time first responders get there it's often too late," said Pratt. He added that Lake Michigan is the most dangerous of the great lakes. And 50 percent of the drownings that happen on the lake happen in the southern part. Which is why citizens educating themselves on water safety is so important.
The best thing to remember if you do get into trouble in the water, Flip, float, and follow. Pratt said, "flip over onto your back, which puts you in a better position to breathe. Float cause as long as you're floating you're not drowning. See which way the current is taking you and follow the best course out."
Those tips are exactly what Forystek hopes to teach to others. "We're surrounded by water and I think kids need to know what they need to do."
