Two Drownings at Deam lake last week.

[ClarkIR]

Terrible week out there. Good thing is neither were fishing related but one had a life vest and didnt use it.

Incident 1: 13 y/o decided to try and swim to the bouy markers in the area (~200 feet out) only made if 40 feet and drowned. Was with a day camp.

Incident 2: Happened yesterday, rented a boat from the campstore and guy jumped in without his vest and drowned.

Just be aware and make sure you do things that keep you and the people around you safe.

[ClarkIR]

Just finished reading an article and this is absolutely insane.

In 2001, the DNR pulled lifegaurds as a state budget cut.

Since then, only 6 people have drowned in DNR lakes(according to this article). 1 was in monroe, 5 at Deam Lake

[psvec]

Just finished reading an article and this is absolutely insane.

In 2001, the DNR pulled lifegaurds as a state budget cut.

Since then, only 6 people have drowned in DNR lakes(according to this article). 1 was in monroe, 5 at Deam Lake

wow thats crazy

[lroberts]

wow thats crazy

That is tragic......but they sound like avoidable accidents combined with inexperience on the water. That sounds harsh I know, but most people do not understand how dangerous water is! I am shocked that there have been six drownings at Deam compared to one at Monroe. With all of the drunk pleasure boaters I see on Monroe I guess I expect worse. I wonder how many of those drownings could have been prevented by lifeguards though. From my experience (grew up on Monroe...dad was a Resevoir Specialist for the DNR) most drownings did not occur where lifeguards were posted.....at the beaches only....they happened out on the lake. I learned my lesson about being safe and smart on the water the hard way you could say....a lesson I will NEVER forget. When I was about 12 or 13 a guy drowned at Monroe near Fairfax....he was drinking alcohol and tried to swim to the bank from too far out with no life jacket and didn't make it. Among many other lake authorties, my dad was called down to the lake as the search and dive team was looking for the man. Dad took me with him and turned a terrible tragedy into a teachable moment for me. He talked to me about the situation on our 10 min. trip there and very flatly said, "this is what happens when you don't respect the dangers of water"...."especially when you factor alcohol in". He made me watch as they pulled the man out of the water and carry him on a stretcher to the ambulance. Tough love, out of line, too much for a 12-13 yr. old.....maybe.....but I sure as hell will never forget that and have the upmost respect for water/boating safety. I just wish everyone had a lesson of some kind that would educate them about the dangers.....don't get me wrong I know accidents happen and drownings will never disappear, but so many of them are avoidable!

[raporter]

Condolences to the families.

[ClarkIR]

Lroberts,

Only 6 total in Indiana, 5 at Deam.... The only drowning that occurred inside the area was the kid early last week that drowned trying to swim to the buoy markers that designate the swimming area. The other 4 have occurred out on the lake or outside of the beach designated swimming area.

[lroberts]

Lroberts,

Only 6 total in Indiana, 5 at Deam.... The only drowning that occurred inside the area was the kid early last week that drowned trying to swim to the buoy markers that designate the swimming area. The other 4 have occurred out on the lake or outside of the beach designated swimming area.

Thanks......late night typing for me...I did see those #'s in your post.