Beach Hazards Awareness Week - June 5-11

Know the swim risk before you head to the beach. The NWS issues a beach forecast during the swim season that advises you if dangerous waves and currents are expected. On high swim risk days, a Beach Hazards Statement is issued to alert swimmers about life-threatening conditions on the lake. You can find the beach forecasts, safety information, statistics, and more by visiting the Great Lakes beach hazards page at www.weather.gov/Greatlakes/beachhazards.

Be cautious in cold water. The air temperatures may be warm, but the water temperatures in the Great Lakes may be cold. Water temperatures are usually in the 40s and 50s in May and June, which can cause hypothermia within 1 hour. Did you know that suddenly entry into cold water (falling or jumping) can lead to cold water shock? Drowning can be instantaneous. Wearing a life jacket significantly increases your survival chances. For more information on cold water and hypothermia, visit www.weather.gov/safety/coldwater.

Stay dry when waves are high! Waves on the Great Lakes can be chaotic, they come in fast and close together. This can make it very difficult to swim. Dangerous currents are more likely once waves reach greater than 3 feet high. The combination of high waves and strong currents can be deadly! Waves can also wash you off of shoreline structures like piers and breakwalls. If you can’t resist swimming and jumping in the water, at least wear a life jacket so that if you get tired, you can stay afloat.

Don’t just bring your life jacket. Wear it!

Designate a water watcher, an adult whose sole responsibility is to monitor swimmers in the water. Drowning is silent, and isn’t always like the movies where there is yelling and splashing. It often happens fast, with no commotion. Learn to identify the signs.

Steer clear of the pier and similar structures. Waves can cause you to lose balance, slip, or even fall. Strong structural currents can also carry you far out into deeper water.

Various types of dangerous currents are present near Great Lakes beaches. Rip currents, structural currents, and outlet currents can carry you away from the beach, while channel currents and longshore currents can carry you along the beach. To learn more, visit www.dangerouscurrents.org.

Do you know how to escape a dangerous current? It is recommended to flip on your back, float, and follow the safest path out of the water. However, the safest path out of the water depends on the situation. You can try to swim to the side of the current, then swim back to shore. If you are in a structural current near a pier, try to swim to a ladder, if one is available. If you can’t escape or become exhausted, keep floating. Follow the current, don’t fight it! To learn more about dangerous currents, visit www.dangerouscurrents.org.