The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is reminding all swimmers and boaters to take a “safety first” approach to summer recreation.
Pat Whalen with the DNR in Plainwell tells us Lake Michigan can have currents that carry a swimmer away from shore. While it might feel natural to fight back and try to swim toward shore, that’s not the best strategy.
“We recommend the idea of Flip, Float, and Follow, meaning flip on your back and then let the current take you out into the lake, which is hard to do, but then as you’re floating along, filling your lungs with air to keep you afloat, follow the current out, and then once it releases you, then you swim sideways to the current — so opposite direction the current’s taking you — to swim out of it, and then let the wave take you back into the shoreline,” Whalen said.
Whalen says the wind on Lake Michigan can also carry kids on inflatables far off if you don’t keep an eye on them.
Whalen adds the biggest thing is for beach goers to pay attention to the colored flags posted at all state parks with designated swimming areas. Red flags mean don’t go in the water.
