News Photo by Kayla Wikaryasz Pictured from left, Courtney Fell (seen holding Raelynn Fell), Janelle Dubbs, and Terri Ott (seen holding Serenity Ott), participate in Tuesday’s Starbabies class at the Alpena Plaza Pool.

ALPENA — Kim Bolanowski, aquatics director at the Alpena Plaza Pool, says that July is the deadliest month for drownings because “more people head to open waters” for recreation. New proposed Michigan legislation aims to put water safety into public schools.

According to an MLive report, there have been 10 drownings on Lake Michigan since the Fourth of July. On July 5, the Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Office reported a double drowning that occurred on Burt Lake, resulting in the deaths of a father and his teenage son.

Following an influx of drownings reported in the news, Bolanowski said that though the drowning statistics are alarming, it is not uncommon.

“It’s common … that’s what is sad,” Bolanowski explained.

Bolanowski said that drownings are common in July because individuals recreate in open waters without being fully aware of water safety.

“There’s 11 drownings a day statistically in the United States,” Bolanowski said. “That makes over 4,000 a year.”

Bolanowski said that each state reports drownings differently which can skew statistics. For example, Bolanowski explained that drownings are classified as either fatal or non-fatal. Fatal drownings are when people go under water, respiration stops, and they cannot be revived with CPR.

“Non-fatal drowning is when they take in water into their lungs, but they are revived,” Bolanowski said.

In total, Bolanowski stated that for every 11 fatal drownings, there are 22 non-fatal drownings.

Bolanowski explained that in her estimation, and in general, lack of water safety education is a cause of drownings.

“It’s not taught in schools and it’s not taught to the parents … because they’re not taught in schools,” Bolanowski said.

Bolanowski noted Michigan House Bill 4477 aims to put water safety instruction into public schools by 2026. This bill has been introduced to the Michigan House of Representatives but has yet to be voted on.

The bill states: “Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, the board of a school district or board of directors of a school district or board of directors of a public school academy shall ensure that each student who is enrolled in the school district or public school academy receives age — and grade — appropriate instruction on water safety.”

The News reached out to Representative Cam Cavitt’s office for comment. Cavitt was unable to meet The News’ deadline, wishing to look at the bill closer before providing comment.

According to Bolanowski, water safety and swimming lessons are two different things.

“Water safety is knowing simple water survival skills. Your floats and knowing the waters like rip currents … wearing life jackets in open waters. Just basic simple water skills,” Bolanski said. “Swimming lessons … we do teach water safety … we teach you your floats… but then we can get more advanced into competitive swimming.”

Bolanowski noted that there is a correlation between those who believe they are good swimmers but are not fully educated on water safety.

“Most of the swimmers that drown in the Great Lakes … 80% say they are good swimmers … less than 50% can actually do survival skills.”

Bolanowski clarified that those percentages only represent swimmers that drown in The Great Lakes rather than inland lakes.

Part of the “survival skills” Bolanowski referred to include education around rip tides, types of floats, and proper procedures during emergencies.

“Something that we teach our kids is ‘Reach, throw, don’t go’,” Bolanowski said.

The Red Cross defines “Reach, throw, don’t go,” as a system of procedures people can use to aid a person who is drowning with reaching and throwing assists. This means holding out an object for a drowning person to grab onto (reach) or throwing an object that the person can use to stay above the water (throw).

In addition to double fatalities, Bolanowski said that drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4.

“Because they’re curious and it usually happens after they’ve already been to the water,” Bolanowski said. “Drowning is preventable, but it’s also accidental.”

Bolanowski explained that in their classes, instructors are having young swimmers attempt to put on life jackets while treading water. This is to mirror a scenario where a boat capsizes and passengers are not wearing lifejackets.

Overall, Bolanowski said that teaching young swimmers water safety is beneficial because it is a life skill.

“Hopefully they’re teaching their friends and family as well,” Bolanowski said. “It’s something they carry for life.”

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.