20-18 marked a record high number of drowning deaths in the Great Lakes; according to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project.
This year is following a similar trend.
There were 118 drowning deaths in the Great Lakes last year.
This year there’s already been 11.
Dave Benjamin, with the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, encourages swimmers to be aware of swimming safety protocols.
"If someone is struggling in water over their head and they’re drowning, we want you to roll over on your back, take your time, get your breathing under control."
The past decade has shown a general increase in the number of Great Lakes drowning deaths.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers say rising water levels in the lakes account for some of them.