MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. - Lake Michigan lifeguards participated in an “open water surf lifeguard” training session Tuesday, June 6^th in Michigan City.

The training focused on the dangerous currents in the Great Lakes, rescue techniques, and CPR.

"Water safety is really important, since 2010 there's been 559 fatal drownings on the five Great Lakes, typically almost half, 47%, happened on Lake Michigan and about half of those happen here at the south end of Lake Michigan so this is one of the most dangerous waters in the country," said Director of Education for Great Lakes surf rescue project, Bob Pratt.

The training was led by the Great Lakes surf rescue project and the purpose of the training was to prevent deaths on the lake this summer. 2016 was the deadliest year on the lake.