drownings

Cheryl Steele didn’t want sleep. She once stayed up for 26 hours, just to avoid it. Because every time she drifted off, she dreamed she was in the middle of a storm on Lake Huron, clinging to a canoe with three of her friends. The reason she was having these nightmares was because she had lived them.

Lake Superior can change in a heartbeat; one minute it’s calm ― the next it's a raging storm. When people in the water get caught off-guard, rescuers have to balance being the hero and knowing when to call it quits.

Since 2010, more than 1,200 people have drowned in Great Lakes waters, according to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project.

Lane Frame was visiting the Great Lakes for the first time. It was a windy day and the water was rough, but Lane and his brothers headed onto a pier to see a lighthouse. Then a wave crashed over the breakwall and pushed him into the water. Lane drowned, but maybe it didn’t have to be that way.

Lane Frame was visiting the Great Lakes for the first time. It was a windy day and the water was rough, but Lane and his brothers headed onto a pier to see a lighthouse. Then a wave crashed over the breakwall and pushed him into the water. Lane drowned, but maybe it didn’t have to be that way.

Lake Superior can change in a heartbeat; one minute it’s calm ― the next it's raging into a wild storm. When people in the water get caught off-guard, rescuers have to make critical decisions, and ultimately gamble with their own lives.

Lake Superior can change in a heartbeat; one minute it’s calm ― the next it's raging into a wild storm.When people in the water get caught off-guard, rescuers have to make critical decisions, and ultimately gamble with their own lives.

After a record number of drownings on Lake Michigan last year, South Haven is getting creative with its water rescues.

After a record number of drownings on Lake Michigan last year, South Haven is getting creative with its water rescues.

Fifty-seven people have drowned in Lake Michigan this year, making it the deadliest on record.Dave Benjamin is the executive director of the Great Lakes…