Alan Neushwander - WKTV Journal

As paddleboarding becomes more popular, safety experts are reminding families about the inherent risks of water sports. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Alan Neushwander, Spectrum Health Beat

Summertime in Michigan means beach time, but trips to the beach aren’t always fun in the sun.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 3,500 people die each year from drownings unrelated to boating. An additional 332 people die each year from drownings in boating-related incidents.

Among those who drown, about 1 in 5 are children younger than age 14.

Families can enjoy Michigan’s natural resources by following some simple safety tips, said Tammy Middlebrook, MD, with Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital Pediatrics.

“When people are swimming in a lake, they need to remember to not go in past their level of comfort,” Dr. Middlebrook said. “If you can’t touch the bottom, then you’re out too far.”

You should also take waves into consideration.

“If you’re just barely touching the bottom, a wave can come and sweep you off your feet,” she said.

Water hazards

Stand anyplace in Michigan and you’re never more than 85 miles from at least one of the Great Lakes. On any afternoon, there’s a sure route to fun and recreation.

But U.S. Coast Guard crews are quick to remind beachgoers about the need to respect the water.

“Even though they may be a good swimmer, there are obstacles on Lake Michigan such as waves, rip currents and rocks under the surface of the water,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Adam Castonia of Coast Guard Station Ludington.

And it’s not just swimmers who need to be cautious.

With the recent popularity of stand-up paddleboarding, the Coast Guard is seeing more people who need to be rescued after falling off their boards.

“When operated outside of a designated swimming area, paddleboards are considered a vessel under Coast Guard regulations,” Castonia said. “When outside of those areas, paddlers over the age of 12 must have a life jacket onboard. They aren’t required to wear it, although the Coast Guard recommends everyone on a boat or paddleboard to always wear a life jacket.”

Paddlers age 12 and under are required to wear a lifejacket when paddling outside of swimming areas, Castonia added.

Sunny days

The water isn’t the only thing that creates hazards. Exposure to the sun can also be dangerous.

“While at the beach, people should wear sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher,” Dr. Middlebrook said. “Wearing sunglasses, a hat, having a coverup and a beach umbrella will protect people against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.”

People should also avoid staying at the beach in direct sunlight for too long, especially during the peak UV hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Staying hydrated will also help ensure your trip to the beach is safe.

“Drink lots of water before going to the beach and while at the beach,” Dr. Middlebrook said. “You should avoid sugary drinks at the beach because the more sugar you drink, the more dehydrated you can get.”

Healthier snacks such as crackers, pretzels, fruits and vegetables should also be part of your beach basket on a hot summer day.

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

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Story and photos by Alan Neushwander, Spectrum HealthBeat

Rhonda Reilly trained for months to run her first half-marathon.

The 59-year-old from Athens, Ohio, was at her summer cottage in Ludington, Michigan, on Aug. 7, 2018 when she decided to continue training with a 4-mile run along Hamlin Lake. The picturesque setting on a warm summer afternoon seemed to present a perfect opportunity to take a break from preparing for a visitor.

Paula Milligan, a nurse at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital, drove home from work that day along the same route. While driving on a road atop a bluff overlooking the lake, she noticed two bicyclists standing over a woman lying in the roadway.

The woman happened to be Rhonda. Face down, blood oozed from her head. At first, it appeared she may have been hit by a car. Milligan used her nursing skills to assess what may have happened.

“She was blue, which gave me an idea she had either a heart or lung issue,” Milligan recalled. “Once I rolled her over, I noticed there were no injuries to her hands or wrists. She also had sores on her knees which gave me an indication she had flopped down on the pavement.”

Rhonda suffered cardiac arrest. Milligan immediately began CPR.

“When I started compressions, her color started to come back and I’d get an occasional agonal breath,” Milligan recalled. “I just kept pumping hard to keep her color good and to protect brain function. I had no idea how long she’d been there.”

Milligan performed CPR for about 18 minutes before first responders arrived with an automated external defibrillator. They shocked Rhonda twice with the AED before rushing her to Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital.

Jane Doe

When Rhonda arrived in the emergency room, she had no form of identification on her. She went running that afternoon without her phone or any belongings.

Not knowing her identity, she was classified as a Jane Doe and flown by Aero Med to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.

Back at their cottage, Rhonda’s husband, Steve, began to worry. His wife’s run was taking longer than expected.

“I drove around for two hours looking for her,” Steve said. “I thought she may have taken a wrong turn and got lost. Finally, I called the hospital to see if anyone matching her description had come in. That’s when they told me what had happened and that she had been airlifted to Grand Rapids. I found out later that I had driven by where they had already rescued her.”

A superhero nurse

Rhonda credits Milligan with saving her life.

“I was very close to being dead,” Rhonda said. “I was blue when she found me. Less than 10 percent of people who have cardiac arrest outside of the home survive. Had she not found me and started CPR right away, I wouldn’t be here.”

Milligan, however, is modest about her lifesaving efforts.

“I don’t feel I did anything different than any other nurse would’ve done,” she said. “It just happened to be that I was the one who came across this person and responded to her.”

After being released from the hospital, the two reunited with a surprise visit Milligan made to Rhonda and Steve’s cottage.

“Paula is amazing,” Rhonda said with a smile. “She’s such a fun and happy person. We now have a special bond that will last a lifetime. This just goes to show that one person can really make a difference.”

Don’t take good health for granted

Rhonda appeared to be the model of good health. She didn’t take medication, had great blood pressure and maintained her physical fitness.

Doctors and nurses at the Spectrum Health Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center stabilized Rhonda and determined a small blockage in an artery at the bottom of her heart caused her cardiac arrest.

She spent nine days in the hospital, including four days in the intensive care unit. A defibrillator was placed in her chest to help protect against future cardiac arrests.

“You can be the perfect picture of good health and still have something like this happen,” Steve said. “Don’t think you’re immune just because you’re fit and a runner.”

Everyone should be prepared to do CPR

There are two lessons the couple wants people to learn from Rhonda’s incident.

First, always carry identification if you are exercising alone.

“Steve didn’t know what was happening or where I was,” Rhonda said. “I didn’t have any ID on me. It would’ve been so much easier for my husband if someone could’ve called him to let him know what was happening.”

There are several different types of wearable identification items runners can wear such as a wristband ID, shoe tag, pocket card and necklaces.

More importantly, Rhonda knows CPR saved her life and urges everyone to learn basic CPR skills.

“It’s really not that hard to learn CPR and the difference you can make is incredible,” she said.

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum HealthBeat.