Group urges swimming safety after teen drowns in Lake Michigan in Waukegan

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (WLS) -- The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project is urging swimming safety after a 17-year-old drowned in Lake Michigan.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

The boy's friends said they were swimming in the harbor channel around 5:30 p.m. on Monday.

They called for help after their friend did not make it out of the water, the Waukegan Fire Department said.

Divers pulled the 17-year-old along the break wall near the bottom, fire officials said.

He was taken to Vista East Medical Center, where he later died, the Lake County Coroner's Office said.

SEE ALSO | Woman dies after falling into uncovered manhole

Dave Benjamin of Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project knows the dangers of Lake Michigan all too well.

In 2010, he had near death experience by almost drowning while surfing.

Since then, he's used his non-profit to eradicate drownings in the Great Lakes through education and safety training and awareness.

Benjamin says since 2025, they've been 81 Great Lakes drownings, 36 of those in Lake Michigan.

"The biggest factor for survival is time," Benjamin said. "If someone's struggling in the water, they're going to submerge in less than a minute. And once they're submerged, you've got like four or five minutes to get them out of the water. So, calling 911 is not an option to rescue a person who's distressed in the water."

Benjamin said more drownings could be prevented if there was more water safety education in schools.