Expert warns of dangers of swimming in Lake Michigan

[@JennWatson]

I got caught in a rip current for the first time ever and after swimming till exhaustion but not getting anywhere I finally remembered- Swim parallel to the beach to get out of the current and then swim towards shore! I made it!

[@corneliusdinkmeyer2190]

Glad you made it! Knowledge is power.

[@briansnow2001]

You're very lucky you had stamina to self rescue.

[@andredrayton5668]

Swim parallel?

[@corneliusdinkmeyer2190]

@@andredrayton5668 yes, swim parallel to the beach/land in order to get back

[@JJPaulson777]

Thank you at least that was helpful about Lake Michigan. This episode is ridiculous and made by lazy people. Who probably can't swim. LOL

[@kyleegarcia5569]

I am an above average swimmer and I don’t play around in Lake Michigan. I’m not afraid of it, but you have to understand how powerful it is and respect it. Can never be too careful!

[@cocoaorange1]

Wise lady!

[@curtiscollins2174]

Very well said. Agree 100 %..

[@themanyunusualfacesofnicka8112]

Isn’t there a lake monster?

[@robyncooperramsey8323]

The interview doesn’t explain the dangers, but the comments do. Good to know.

[@gr8dvd]

Disagree as here’s the BEST warning… @56s "panic is the first stage of drowning". We’ve all heard about rip currents & rogue waves but panic is what kills. If you can float (ie, not extremely thin, just skin and bones) nearly all such events are survivable.

[@bobbeezel2593]

I just now realized this

[@deewilson888]

I know! I thought the same thing. Useless information.

[@irishmick6709]

@@robyncooperramsey8323 ..do you mean besides over-estimating ones ability, panicking while in the water, normalcy bias, those sorts of things? Watch the vid again.

[@robyncooperramsey8323]

@@irishmick6709I watched other vids on the topic, and these explained rip tides present in Lake Michigan. That’s the explanation I needed of the danger.

[@hansonel]

Lake Michigan is an enourmous body of water, one of the biggest in the nation. It's basically an inland ocean. It's also quite choppy, has rip currents and bigger waves then you'd expect on gusty days. "54% of Americans can't swim 25 yards."

[@tyarnold4088]

You just made me feel like a good swimmer.

[@BootyWarrior80892]

@@tyarnold4088 😅

[@PheonixT-ki8rx]

@@tyarnold4088 same lol. I once got dropped in the middle of a lake and swam back to shore for fun. I was 14yo. 🤣

[@SVG73]

​@@PheonixT-ki8rxit was not Lake Michigan

[@Rezplz]

LOL I see what you did there 😁

[@beast4661]

Lake Michigan is no joke. I’ve been in it for 40 yrs and I’m healthy and a strong swimmer. I’ve had the rip currents rip my legs out from under me in 3 feet of water and if I would have panicked, I would have drowned. It’s more dangerous then an ocean.

[@Georgian1717]

I agree. My cousin's friend died this way. They were only 3-4 feet in and the current took him away. If the water is actively moving with large waves. Stay out of the water.

[@Wilderbliss17]

You’ve been in Lake Michigan for 40years?! Wow… that’s impressive

[@beast4661]

@@Wilderbliss17 yes. I’m a mermaid.

[@soyoucanchangethis]

@@beast4661 oh thats wild when did you discover computers? Do you have a water proof phone?

[@beast4661]

@@soyoucanchangethis nah I just borrow the occasional fisherman’s smartphone. No need to own my own.

[@myronlarimer1943]

My guess is that over consumption of alcohol plays a big role in many drownings, especially in places like Chicago’s “playpen” where alcohol and boating seem to go hand in hand-in-hand.

[@ccgreene1]

I have the same question...

[@thesjkexperience]

💯%

[@michaeljohn7467]

Plus whatever other drugs they are on

[@kenofken9458]

Every boating community I've ever seen is full of drunken fools.

[@LegendJustice1229]

What’s Chicago playpen

[@tshaffer9681]

KNOW YOUR LIMITS. !!!! If you're a swimmer if you are tired roll over on your back and float. Point yourself in the direction of the shore just use your hands as paddles, just slowly paddle float your way back to shore. Just don't panic - remember roll onto back and paddle float back to shore. You do this and you will feel relaxed.

[@coleengoodell7523]

Exactly! And don't "fight the water" or stiffen up. Take deep breaths and relax as you float on your back. You can do this as long as need be to get to safety.

[@ICONICPARIS]

Yes this worked for me years ago and I haven't been in the lake since. Lol. It was a really scary experience

[@stinkstank5177]

100% This! It worked for me!

[@DamonBigsby]

Or just go to a pool and swim

[@Don.Challenger]

So, does that back floating work in choppy water? That cooling breeze is not always your friend.

[@damamae950]

In 1969, my teenage cousin swam to try to save a friend who was in trouble in the lake... They both drowned. My dad was a power boater and a part of the Coast Auxiliary then, and joined the effort to find the bodies. I can't express how devastating this was to the family - my cousin's folks ended up divorcing, and it put untold stressmon my dad and stepmom, who were already overwhelmed. Please be careful

[@maureencora1]

Swimming Pool Have No Current. Be Safe.

[@stringlarson1247]

Rip currents in the Great Lakes can be wicked and arbitrary depending on the winds/weather. The Pacific et al. may be bigger, but at least one can read the waves/rips from the beach (most of the time). It is counterintuitive that one has to swim parallel to the beach to escape one, tho in Lake MI, that can be tricky due to the shifting sand bars, especially on the windward side. Or what may have been the windward side yesterday (or hours ago).

[@DamonBigsby]

Swimming in lakes are Neanderthal behavior

[@cocoaorange1]

Ditto, but people drown in pools too.

[@henryrogers5500]

Swimming pools have drains you can get stuck in at the bottom of the pool.

[@maureencora1]

@@henryrogers5500 What Are the Odds?

[@judithgrace9850]

Life jackets cheaper than a coffin

[@farris5918]

BEST COMMENT! 🏆

[@Novastar.SaberCombat]

Common sense and preparation are even cheaper.

[@sublime929]

​@@Novastar.SaberCombat nothing common about common sense

[@droid4369]

Great advice!! Except no one swims in a life jacket, including you.

[@OO-tb4ou]

@@droid4369 he might be a great swimmer. Anyways, it's time we make life jackets cool, not uncool.

[@intheshell35ify]

Swim in the lake and you got 99 problems, but a shark ain't one.

[@jacktorrance2633]

The Bull Shark would disagree. And even though no "scientific" reports exist there have been sightings by various swimmers and fisherman,along with dead ones found on the shore. I wouldn't be 100% positive you won't ever see one in a great lake.

[@stringlarson1247]

Shark Party!

[@intheshell35ify]

@@stringlarson1247 "Shark party, shark party, your table is ready."

[@CoalCreekCroft]

LAKE SHARKS, duh! (But I hear they're only in lakes passed by a sharknado)

[@corneliusdinkmeyer2190]

😂😂😂😂 Where’s the batteries?😂😂

[@altimax9091]

I was drowning...I didn't leash my paddle board....and it was windy...was a scary moment... thanks a lady helped me out... situations like this happens to anybody

[@ericlandahl6892]

Children need to start learning to swim at age six weeks, and continue to develop swimming proficiency through high school. In Chicago, this should include open water swimming in Lake Michigan. As a former beach lifeguard in Chicago, I know that teenagers will head to the lakefront in the summer, and many of them are not confident swimmers. Those skills might not save you if you are high or intoxicated and fall off a boat, but a skilled swimmer nearby might.

[@DamonBigsby]

Or just go to a pool and swim why tf you swimming in a lake?

[@kansasgoldilocks]

I wish we would have done this in grade school. I'm 41 and I taught myself basic swim techniques in my 20s. I'm really physically fit but still do not feel comfortable in the water.

[@mikegrizwold2522]

@@kansasgoldilocks why don't you take a swimming lesson? It's super easy if your as fit as you claim.

[@ericlandahl6892]

I have helped dozens of adults try to get more comfortable in the water (pools and natural bodies of water, including Lake Michigan). Although a few pick it up quickly, it is a struggle for most. Just last week I was in the Lake with a guy who runs a sub-three hour marathon. He was out of breath in 50 yards, and he’s had lessons, and wasn’t panicked. It’s just simply much easier for most people to learn as children, like speaking a second language. And it could save your life, or somebody else’s.

[@kokonana4086]

I never consider Lake Michigan a small body of water. It's indeed an INLAND OCEAN which even has a weather system and a current pattern of its own.

[@MountainMomma11]

I thought I could swim until my 10 year old got caught in a strong river current, quickly realized we were both nearly drowning, my fiancé had to save us both! Never underestimate the power of the water!

[@bruceb5481]

I'm an excellent swimmer and can swim for miles but I rarely stay in water over my head for more hours a minute or two. My long lifetime of watersports has taught me many valuable lessons that most people seem to want to learn the hard way.

[@eatshiy]

I'll explain...Lake Michigan has the "washboard effect" ...it means smaller waves crash into each other ...back and forth. That makes it difficult for swimmers because of the constant "slap in the face" from water!

[@timthompson8297]

50so,ething years ago I was drinking with friends and we were swimming back from a raft which was a ways out. Suddenly I got bad cramps but everyone swam past me to shore before I could say anything. I realized that the only thing I could do was float so I did until I could swim back. Valuable lesson was learned that day

[@stringlarson1247]

Man, your lucky. I've lost two friends to similar situations. Swimming in small mountain lakes in CA and CO. The top 6-8 inches were 80 degrees, and deeper than 12 was sub 50. I remember swimming out and stopping to rest, treading water and my legs just stopped responding. Fortunately, I had training/skills to get out of it. It's a panic inducing shock and if one doesn't know what to do, they'll just drop.

[@GuacamoleyNacho]

@@stringlarson1247 so u flip pnto your back, float and use your arms n hands to paddle back?

[@stringlarson1247]

@GuacamoleyNacho no. Scissor kick and breaststroke to keep head up and see waves and chop. On your back, you can't see, and it's easy to get swamped and drown.

[@bruceb5481]

​@@GuacamoleyNachoCorret but don't panic or try to hurry and you'll get to shore but not where you started.

[@christianpruss]

I know the feeling. I was in Hawaii last month and went on a snorkel trip. We took a boat out to Turtle canyon and it's quite far from shore. I jumped in, I thought I'd be OK swimming but after a few mins I got tired, swallowed some sea water and that panic that hits is the worst. I rushed back to the boat and was done for the day

[@gimcrack555]

I know how to float. I swallow water, I just chock and clear my air way with zero panic. One ounce of panic and you're a goner for sure. Never swim alone, that's number one rule. Also know you limits and your skills.

[@stringlarson1247]

Yep. Learned all that stuff when I was a yute.

[@cocoaorange1]

Great advice.

[@GitBuzy]

💯My Dad was a lifeguard and The Best Swimmer I know. He said to Never swim in This Water because of the under current!! The under current pulls you Under!

[@BootyWarrior80892]

Is there an overcurrent as well?

[@bobtorres7949]

I agree people don't understand currents of water especially when cold conditions I was lifeguard Lifeguard4Life @ Oak Street Beach many years my Brother was Boat Crew five of us worked for Beach Poll Unit Lakefront

[@daniallemons9343]

20 or so years ago I went crabbing with my family and parents. We all got in the boat and I jacketed my kids made sure my wife was set and then put a life jacket on myself. My mom, always the mother came up to me and said ‘thank you’ and I was like for what?. She said ‘for putting on a life jacket.’ I told her ‘Yeah I know how to swim. I also know that as soon as I hit the Pacific Ocean of the north west, my ability to swim goes right out the window. I know my limits.’ Made her proud that day.

[@michaelaleman3591]

A lot of people underestimate the rip currents on lake Michigan and the very cold water, very dangerous

[@CruceEntertainment]

Let’s also not forget about the danger of being hit by a boat while you’re in the water, if swimming further away from shore.

[@lauriepolden6594]

When I was young, there was something called the red Cross swimming certification for young people… you had to perform certain things in order to be able to swim in the pool at our local YMCA. The first thing you had to do was swim across the pool. The second thing you had to do was swim underwater across the pool, coming up a maximum of twice for air the third thing you had to do was take a deep breath and dive to the bottom of the pool and bring up a brick. There were a couple other things that you had to do and I forgot what they were float on your back for several minutes Treadwater for several minutes. if you passed, you were able to swim without supervision I have been swimming in the ocean since I was three years old underwater on top of water I could float. I could hold my breath. I could tread water. Swimming was one of the easiest things we learned how to do as kids, so many people do not teach kids the basics of swimming anymore… because we lived in Florida at that young age. We were all four taught to swim very young

[@matthewthomas00]

I swim from 2.5 km to 5 km continuous per day. Even so, I am very attentive to the safety rules in large bodies of water. Bad things can happen to swimmers of all levels of skill and conditioning. Heeding the safety rules and the advice of people familiar with the waters you are in is absolutely critical. BTW: I read an article in US Swimmer magazine that said 22% of adults aged 35 to 65 can swim 2 km without stopping.

[@philn5703]

Lake Michigan can go from a chop to 12+ foot waves in an hour.I live in Manitowoc, WI and have been on board fishing craft during these sudden changes.The rip currents also come quickly. You can spot the rip current's general area. Its located off the shore in the area where no waves are coming ashore.

[@Blakkrazor69]

I made that mistake when I got to Ft. Ord and jumped into the bay for a swim. Got pulled way out quick and it took a solid half-hour of swimming to get back to shore. Afterwards I find out Monterey Bay has tonnes of sharks and I was very lucky to not meet with one.

[@misterfunnybones]

25 yards? He didn't mention the water temperature. Cold water is brutal & you won't get through 7-10 strokes before vasoconstriction shuts down your arms & legs, then all you can do is float on your back & go completely hypothermic.

[@1fromtheroad]

Respect the big water. It’s not a pool. That water is cold and deep.

[@charlesarroyo224]

Please note: Always adhere to safety measures, like wearing a safety life vest. Also be very careful in deep water. at the shorelines, they can be very slippery from algae growth and make it harder to gain a good grip to hoist yourself out of the deep water...FYI. Make sure your safety life vest has been tested and correctly and firmly fit your body. Ty

[@coleengoodell7523]

Yes, Coast Guard approved life vests only.

[@jameschanin]

Life Vests work great.

[@Novastar.SaberCombat]

90% of mankind wouldn't use 'em. They're too cool for that. Everyone is an action hero (in their own mind).

[@traildoggy]

It's easy to severely underestimate water. Even in a creek or river anything above mid shins can quickly become dangerous to try to cross in.

[@1988vikable]

I got caught in a rip current with my little brother. I was raised my whole life going to the beach. When it happened I tried not to panic especially when I realized I was struggling to get back to shore and really thought we were going to die as we were being dragged and he was sinking and I was keeping him afloat and I was getting tired, I instinctually began to swim to the sides inch by inch felt like forever until I was able to swim freely back to shore. I learned about rip currents since i was small maybe that education kicked in? Recently on the news at a beach I used to go to two parents died fighting a rip current while their children watched in horror. They were on vacation. Very sad.

[@robnamowicz8073]

Water doesn't drown you, panic does.

[@ricksomething]

No, just definitely the water in your lungs.

[@ladykarolyn1]

I think the water helps though.

[@TJbuffs]

Except with no water it doesn’t matter how much you panic, you won’t drown.

[@stever2583]

Or exhaustion...

[@Readit4Life_2Chron7_14]

Been in & sailed on many lakes around the globe. Been on Lake Michigan - swam in it in the late 1950s, boated in it in 1970s, kayaked in the 2000s. Sailed it with a friend several times. Did one SCUBA dive in it - never again. That darn Lake Michigan is one of the most treacherous lakes I've ever been on/in. Lake Michigan is susceptible to strong winds that can generate large waves, especially during storms. These waves can be hazardous for small boats, kayaks, and paddleboarders, particularly those who are inexperienced or not equipped with proper safety gear. Most folks have no idea how to get out of a rip tide on any body of water - there are some rules to follow: rip tides are narrow in width so swimming parallel to the shore/beach (rip tide is taking you away from the shore towards the open water behind you very fast)...so swim perpendicular to that motion = parallel to the shore...usually will get you out of it. But one can't panic. Panic is why most folks can't get out of it. For me now, I leave Lake Michigan to the fish & admire it from afar.

[@Novastar.SaberCombat]

It is what it is. Safety is important, but overall, people *think* that they're action movie stars.

[@Imjusttryingtotellu]

You don’t have to comment if you don’t have anything productive to say.

[@Novastar.SaberCombat]

@@Imjusttryingtotellu LOL... look who's talking. 😆🤣😆

[@stringlarson1247]

I know I am. Well, maybe not 'action', nor 'movie', or 'star'

[@DougSchuyler]

Drowning season? Never heard of that.

[@WarofThoughts]

It's all the rage

[@mm6461]

I want to be a part of that season!

[@bobsmith6544]

Yeah must be a Chiraq thing.

[@lenoreraven9758]

More people drown in summer months because of vacation time & too much alcohol. That’s why they call it a season. Until everyone wears life jackets & stops doing dumb things, expect a lot more deaths & accidents. People need to respect nature, it’s viscous

[@stringlarson1247]

@@lenoreraven9758 Nature is Stroft!

[@Leslie-qo2rv]

I live on Lake Erie, the most shallow of the Great Lakes. We lose people EVERY year, just recently a 10 yr old boy. Always seems to be out of towners. the undertows are serious!

[@stringlarson1247]

Each of the Great Lakes has their unique patterns and chaos. They really are amazing creatures.

[@TheMagicCrafter]

The cold water can also cause dizziness and can easily disorient you. I'm a professional mermaid in this lake. It's dangerous and needs to be dealt with cautiously.

[@ericheine2414]

You can get in the water but can you get out of water? Take some kind of flotation device with you. Are there lifeguards where you are swimming? Do you swim with a friend? Is it safe to swim where you swim? Are there rip currents where you swim? Is the water friendly?

[@lancecahill5486]

Two or 3 people drowned. We should ban all boats and build a 10-foot wall around Lake Michigan now!

[@BootyWarrior80892]

I actually agree with this

[@bobsmith6544]

Make drowning illegal! That'll fix it!

[@chazbo2672]

I grew up about a mile from the south shore of Lake Ontario. Back more than 50 years ago in the summer when I was in sixth grade there was a day program near my home for kids called “Summer Fun.” A variety of ages, more younger than older than me, with a teenage ‘counselor’ or two. One activity we’d do sometimes was ride our bikes the mile to the lakeshore, across a four lane highway that would eventually be what would be the Canadian version (QEW) of an interstate, and back then cars would go 60+ mph and there’d be a rural stoplight for us to use to cross. We’d swim near the shore with the counselor warning us that over there (or over there…) there might be an undertow and not to go over that way. The shore was part sand and part rocks. It seems kind of crazy now but I don’t remember our losing anyone, though I remember being nervous about both the highway crossing and the water.

[@StopCensoring-fq5fl]

Everything he said was correct! Stay safe

[@RJFP67]

It’s a GREAT LAKe for a reason ? It’s an inland freshwater sea . The waves and cross currents require you’re a good swimmer. When your taken away with the riptide close to shore you’re carried 100 yards or more down the beach. If you go with the flow you’ll reach the beach in no time. If you panic your in trouble . Body surfing was big in my day. Even my children rode the waves 🌊. You must also keep a sharp eye on your loved ones or someone who shouldn’t be in the rough waters.

[@RedMartin66]

Almost as dangerous as living in the city itself

[@yourmajesty122]

I lived in downtown Chicago for 9 months. i got jumped, stalked, etc. but I gotta say I found unimaginable happiness in those 9 months after having a severe mental illness for 9 years. I was so lonely 2. every 2 seconds hot guys would hit in me, I made zillions of friends, and that was the hardest I ever laughed. the skyline takes you to another world-the most beautiful thing I've ever seen🥰🥰

[@rand49er]

I think they missed it. There is FAR MORE danger in Chicago than in Lake Michigan.

[@EventHorizonPrdctns]

So..... not 1 specific special danger of Lake Michigan mentioned, great video.

[@PepeDalinShow]

I love open water swimming. I always carry a floater (swim buoy-okay, not actually a flotation device, but it’s enough to keep my head above water when I hold on to it) with me, just in case I get cramps or something.

[@YearoftheWoodDRAGON]

Respect the Great Lakes - they are bigger than you. God Bless

[@vincecarnevale4406]

Went swimming in Lake Ontario years ago, it's like swimming In the ocean,big waves ,only being in fresh water.

[@curtiscollins2174]

Very good information. Must respect our Great lakes.

[@DebbieMonroe-k2b]

Let's not forget the pollution in Lake Michigan!

[@richardstravelingchannel2397]

Common sense is not something our species is particularly strong with.

[@jonathanpeterson1984]

Drinking heavily in the midday sun before going swimming also isn’t brilliant

[@ronaldschultenover8137]

NO SHARKS they stay on shore in Chicago

[@jjbdbd8279]

I dove in that bih today!! Was cool and refreshing

[@hillshepardson9537]

I used to have sweater like that back in the 80’s!

[@stringlarson1247]

Too bad you don't still have it :)

[@dominiquedavis5589]

The underestimate of Michigan water is a shame. It is common sense how strong current or mother nature is. Life jackets are a good choice, floaties, and maybe sticking to a pool(if its your own pool,and not public)😅.... Who wants to swim in pee infested/bacteria infested water anyway.

[@stringlarson1247]

The south end of Lake MI gets closed often due to that pretty often. Our muni water intake is not too far off-shore. The Water Dept. really ramps up the 'clorine' in the summer. Nice to have an inline filter at the house. :)

[@malcriadamedina5358]

Is it still dangerous if I swim very close to shore where the water is up to your waist

[@TheTheo58]

When I was a child, I did swim quite often in a pool and was pretty good in the water. There was a man made lake swimming area in the parkland where I grew up. I went swimming there a few times. However, I stayed close to shore and did not venture past the marker towards the deeper part. I was confident swimming in the diving pool and jumping off the low rise board.

[@tamaraliske3836]

In 1980 i was swimming in lake Michigan and got caught up in a rip current. The water was just above my waist and no matter how hard i tried to get to shore it pulled me into deeper water headed towards the lighthouse pier. When i got to the pier the water was swirling. I do not remember how i climbed straight up the pier wall..but i laid down and cried because people were walking along not realizing how much danger i was in. I could not cry out because one hundred percent of me was in survival mode. I think about that day every time i go to lake Michigan and i dont even go waist deep anymore.

[@rusty9508]

People need to respect the power of water.

[@risinbison1106]

Swimming in lake Michigan is still safer than walking through Chicago.

[@debrafirestone861]

I’ll bet it safer then the Chicago streets

[@kenofken9458]

@@debrafirestone861 That's not saying much. Most of Ukraine is safer than Chicago in the summer.

[@bobsmith6544]

These unfortunate swimmers were just trying to get to Subway...

[@Brezzybri741]

😂😂😂 aint told one lie

[@Fat12219]

Walking through Chicago 😢

[@brusselsprout5851]

I thought I could swim until one time when I got caught in a lake current and barely got out of it. I was exhausted and to this day am amazed I finally made it to shore. We don't know until we are caught in the fight of our life.

[@DavidLee-g1r]

4 decades ago ? I have happy memories of swimming and fishing the lake for a day

[@sethwilliams720]

We are going up to Michigan City, Indiana in a couple of weeks for a mini vacation. Will be the first time visiting the area. If anyone has ever been there or is a local and has some recommendations on what to do please let me know!

[@javaskull88]

Water with even a mild chop is more tiring than swimming laps in a pool. It’s surprising how quickly you can become exhausted.

[@bitcoinski]

If you cramp up...hold your breathe & arch your back...your body WILL float! Then remain calm and breathe & start paddling backwards. This is how I survived from drowning. Stay safe!

[@draco2xx]

drowning season? i had no idea there was such a thing as drowning season. people drown all year long💀

[@shiny2423]

I am 72 yrs old and I have been swimming since I've been 2 years old as I grew up on a lake in Michigan. I swim a laps for an hour and a half everyday in the Summer. Even I take precautions. I swim with a pool noodle under my arms. That way if I get a cramp or pass out my body will float. I can tread water for hours and can float. I tell everyone that can't swim the worst thing they can do if they are in trouble is to panic.

[@DTRIPLESOWKOW]

So what are the dangers of Lake Michigan vs a pool?

[@vickilindberg6336]

Water temperatures vary in lakes & at different times of the year.

[@ProDMiner]

RIP ren, you passed in LM when we was younger, we knew each other from shows. if you get pulled in with the undertoe, do what I did. at first you will wanna panic dont, when the time is right if that ever happens your mind will recall this. Feel the water as its pulling you, see if its pulling you in a straight motion, then rotate yourself till you see the sun, or moon then swim in paralell with the undertoe, and current you can use your feet and kicking the water below you to help yourself surface. but it was pretty hard, I started seeing hazes of black fade around me. I was scared , but was like well " at least its not a shark attack". the only reason I knew how to get out of that is because someone told me about the same exact thing one time, when younger. even said when the time comes, you will recall this, and it really happened. so if that person saved me, and that was a 1 on 1 conversation, maybe this conversation can save dozens who read it.

[@toms1245]

Open water is way different than pool water. The currents and tide make it so much harder to swim.

[@stever2583]

There's a reason my Dad taught me to swim a mile at the start of everyday at the beach, if you can swim a mile you can float for two miles using just your hands.

[@angeloap1]

Good info thank you

[@rhuntington3]

If the experts say the lake is that dangerous, follow the science and ban everyone from getting in the lake. It’s common sense.

[@bobsmith6544]

Why don't they just make drowning illegal?

[@mooseymoose]

@@bobsmith6544 Just say no.

[@stringlarson1247]

HA. Good luck with enforcing that. Tho, the beaches at the So. end of the lake will get closed when the bacteria levels rise. With this early heatwave, I expect that may be soon.

[@myronlarimer1943]

Yeah... Just what we need. More Nanny State. Life is a risk walking out your front door every morning. Evaluate the risks and LIVE life. Don't HIDE from life!

[@bfranco1519]

Still safer than Chicago!

[@tobiasfunke2011]

What did he say? I couldn't get past the 0:38 second mark.

[@jaydingiesler5280]

There are mermaids in Lake Michigan!

[@JessicaD.-vb9ho]

And Plesiosaurus

[@TheMagicCrafter]

That would be me, I assume. I'm just a performer, sorry ❤

[@benjyberele]

I know two people who drowned, both of whom knew how to swim. I only occasionally swim in the lake, and if i do, i bring fins, and make sure there’s a lifeguard

[@NosebergEatzbugsVonShekelstein]

When I was 17 years old I swam across the entirety of the lake.. 60 miles. I started at Oak St Beach and wound up somewhere in rural Michigan.

[@billbixby557]

Nah.

[@mindfulmaximalism]

I love your name. 👃

[@nickivaughn79]

The Lord was with you

[@NoBody-zr4ue]

Based Noseberg

[@ddduva4440]

Were more people killed in the streets of Chicago today or in the water?

[@jamesgretsch4894]

Curious are there riptides in a lake as there is in the ocean?

[@CrimsonDovha]

You need to be calm, if you panick you're drown faster, best thing to do is relax your mind and body and push with your legs, hug the water. Be one with water.

[@johnklaus9111]

really really really avoid the most southwest portion of lake michigan. PFAS tests of the slope above this area show PFAS levels 1000x surviveable in various wells near this area. I would assume it's leeching into the lake. (and they refuse to test the lake).... 😊

[@TheMagicCrafter]

Our environment is being wrecked. It's so sad 😕

[@greekatso]

54% of Americans not being able to swim 25 yards is crazy. I'm a very good swimmer, swimming 1 mile at a time, twice a week. Couple times a year I swim 2-4 miles. Was in Lake Michigan a few years ago, the waves were so bad it was like a washing machine, lost my swim goggles. Took me a minute to get back to shore, learned my lesson to respect the water.

[@r.j.martin1818]

NON-PC HEADLINE: Experts warn of dangers of being stupid and swimming in Lake Michigan.

[@noid9798]

Unfortunately some people will ignore all warnings and do it anyway 🎉

[@RZ-sh6yi]

This lake has been a demon forever, the Great Lakes are nothing to mess with. I have felt the residual of an undertow in that lake-never again! Been in quite a few lakes and this one is a big NO, don’t like quarries either.

[@theVoid524]

Being a "good swimmer" won't help you if you're stuck in a rip current or you fall off a boat. Knowing how to stay calm and float will save your life.

[@jerryh2954]

That's not the issue with Lake Michigan. The issue is it's very cold and rough. It's like swimming in a nonbuoyant ocean at 50 degrees F.

[@davidrockefeller2007]

In rare cases there can even be rip currents on large lakes. It would need to be windy and sandy. Rare but possible. Once me and three friends swam to an island, only about 100 yards. All three of us struggled and were caught off guard. We made it and were able to get back after a 15 minute break but if any of us got into trouble we would have watched our friends die. We would not have been able to assist

[@trueloveingod2691]

I hope people will heed that sound advice.

[@lindalealphamale]

I swam across lake michagen from Milwaukee to Detroit. No problem

[@MoggieLou]

I almost drowned once, at Big Sur, riptide, there is a moment where you have to choose not to panic. Panic feels like the natural move, and ironically being calm feels somehow like the crazy choice. 😅

[@timthompson8297]

It’s okay. Darwin is just cleaning out the gene pool.

[@stringlarson1247]

The shallow end, anyway.

[@Mundellica]

Drowning season? WOW

[@TheMagicCrafter]

It is the most deadly Great Lake. People die in it pretty frequently 😕

[@sethwilliams720]

Drowning Season….sounds like the name of 2001 nu metal band.