High Number of Drownings Baffling Officials in Oakland County
In Oakland County, numerous people have sadly lost their lives this year due to drowning. It’s a real head-scratcher for the local sheriff’s office. Officials in these areas are pleading with folks to take more caution while spending time on the county’s bodies of water. This comes after witnessing a shocking increase in drownings this summer, a total of 11, to be precise. What’s got folks scratching their heads more is that last year, the total figure was just 4 drownings.
The even bigger mystery is that these unfortunate incidents don’t seem to have any link to alcohol or substance abuse, commonly associated with accidents on water. According to Sheriff Michael Bouchard, “We’ve had quite a handful more tragedies this season and many of them had no relation to booze or drugs, which is a bit weird.”
One local resident, Abraham Nassar, had a scary encounter on the water with a reckless individual. “A dude was buzzed on his jet ski, trying to show off and he smacked into me, nearly giving me a concussion.” This incident happened just last Sunday. Nassar is now being extra cautious on Cass Lake to avoid any more close calls, especially with the summertime gradually winding down.
Interestingly, overall, the number of drowning incidents in the Great Lakes has slightly decreased this year. But it’s not all good news, with the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project reporting that 77 people have tragically drowned this year. That’s eight less than 2023, but the year isn’t over yet, leaving room for potential more incidents.
One of the primary issues with drownings is the misunderstanding that someone struggling will clearly signal distress. Yet, when a person is running out of energy, they might make a small gasp and begin to sink. Other folks around may remain unaware of the situation unfolding just a few meters away.
As for why this number is higher this year, the sheriff suggested the weather could be a factor. More people are flocking to the water due to warmer days. Some of these people may not be skilled swimmers. There are some simple safety tips the sheriff’s team encourages people to follow to stay safe in the water.
There’s also the issue of many young people in metro Detroit not having access to proper swimming lessons. In an area surrounded by plenty of bodies of water, being comfortable and competent in water is important in preventing drownings. The Huron-Clinton Metroparks even expanded free swimming lessons for both adults and kids to improve water competency.
Currently, no Michigan law requires basic water safety courses in schools. Therefore, one lawmaker is advocating for a bill to make a change. According to State Rep. Donni Steele (R-Orion Township), “we definitely should have our kids know how to swim,” especially considering the 11,000 inland bodies of water in the state.
Unfortunately, things like access to a pool, the cost of classes, and past traumatic near-drowning experiences can all be barriers to people learning how to swim. But in a state like Michigan, which is surrounded by lakes, being comfortable in water can indeed be a matter of life and death.
