With the holiday weekend approaching, there are several concerns to be aware of while enjoying the warm weather and lakes in the area, according to Leland resident and Great Lakes Safety Consoritum (GLSC) board member Susan Och.
“With warm temperatures and strong winds, those are components where we see a spike in drownings,” Och said. “Drownings can happen to anyone.”
The GLSC is a non-profit resource to promote waters safety around the Great Lakes. On average 11 people drownin the United States every day.
In Lake Michigan, there are two currents, one caused by strong winds from the southwest, and another one caused by a sandbar, or it is caused by structures in the water such as a pier, break wall, or even something underwater that isn’t visible.
The southwest wind current isn’t as dangerous and is referred to as the “Where’s my stuff” current, according to the National Weather Service because the wind will push the swimmer along the shore making them walk back to their belongings.
Water obstacle including sandbars and piers create dangerous situations because the current actively pull the swimmer out into deeper water and possibly under water that is a high risk of drowning, especially on Lake Michigan.
“If you swim in a straight line to the shore, it is going to put you against that current,” said Och. “That’s why the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project recommends that you flip on your back, float to get your bearings and strength back, then follow the current out.”
‘Flip, float and Follow’ is a saying that can save you life, posted on sign on every beach along Leelanau’s coast.
Och added that rip currents along Leland are strong and precise.
The most common demographic of a drowing victim is with young men between the ages of 16 to 24.
Before COVID, Nedows Bay in Leland had a lifeguard, but hasn’t had one since. This creates a swim at your own risk which most people aren’t expecting.
“We think that lifeguards are going to wait until they hear somebody yelling ‘help, help’ or thrashing and making a lot of commotion,” Och said. “Drowning is silent, and fast. Which around here unfortunately we don’t have lifeguards.”
Since the start of 2020, it has been reported by Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project that there have been five deaths in Leelanau and Grand Traverse County with one recently happening in June.
Och said that these currents are just as much of a danger in Lake Leelanau, which is why swimmers always have to be cognizant of the conditions.
Annalise Povolo, director of administration and programs for Lake Leelanau Lake Association, agrees with Och but said the association has focused more on recreational awareness.
“Specifically things like being mindful of your speed, being mindful of having personal floatation devices regardless of the vessel, and keeping safe distances from other boaters,” Povolo said.
Remembering the simple water laws, such as sailboats have the right of way or not drinking alcohol while operating a boat helps keep others safe.
Another concern while swimming over the holiday weekend is swimmer’s itch, which is caused by microscopic parasites which are easy to avoid.
Any inland lake could have the parasite, it’s most common where there are bottom feeding birds because the parasite mistakes you for a bird.
According to Och, using watreproof sunscreen can help reduce the risk of swimmer’s itch.
Swimmer’s itch hasn’t been an issue so far this year but as temperatures cmontinue to rise the rash will becoming more common, especially in shallow water.
Povolo recommends swimming later in the day, avoiding lounging in surface waters, and more which is posted on their website.
