MUSKEGON, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Summer Beach Goers and Great Lakes Swimmers beware: to date there are a confirmed 84 Great Lakes Drownings in 2022, while 45%, or 38 of them took place in Lake Michigan. 

While drowning is the leading cause of death of children ages 1-4, many forget how dangerous swimming and boating can be for adults too. 

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As of Sept. 9 there are seven current cases of people pulled from Lake Michigan in critical condition who have not yet made a full recovery. 

Within the last 12 years, the Great Lakes have claimed 1,131 victims, with 595 deaths since 2017.  Since the peak of 117 drowning deaths in 2018, the Great Lakes has seen a general decline in drowning related deaths with 108 deaths in 2020 and 101 deaths in 2021 according to statistics provided by the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. 

According to the GLSRP statistics, the average age of male drownings is 32 years, while the average female age is 29 years.  Roughly 84 % of the casualties have been male.

The Chief of Parks and Recreation for the Michigan DNR Ron Olson says the DNR will not be increasing the number of lifeguards though many consider them to be the best remedy for the rising drowning rate. 

Lifeguards provided through the park system ended largely because of liability issues according to Olson, not to mention a funding issue. 

Instead, the discussion of adding a fourth tier to the existing beach flag system is ongoing. 

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At the moment there are three types of beach flags to warn swimmers of the potentially dangerous waters. 

Green flags indicate that swimmers may enter the water but ought to stay aware of the conditions. Yellow flags indicate caution and for swimmers to be wary of the dangerous currents and high waves. Finally, red flags tell swimmers to stop and not enter the water to swim or do anything else. 

The DNR plans to add a fourth flag, double red, which penalizes violators for ignoring the flag warning.  The decision has not been finalized but it will most likely be some sort of ticket according to Olson.  

Grand Haven has been the first state beach to issue the double red flag in July.  This is an effort to close beaches to particularly dangerous water conditions and incentivize swimmers to stay out for their safety.