New Buffalo beach has 12 water rescues in just two days  

NEW BUFFALO, Mich. -- New Buffalo had 12 water rescues in just 2 days, luckily this beach has lifeguards on duty to aid swimmers in need.

Calm waters do not always mean safe conditions.

Drownings across Lake Michigan tend to happen when rip currents are strong, with wind direction playing a big role in how strong rip currents are.

For the rescues that occurred on Sunday and Monday, the wind was out of the north.

Flags are posted around the beach letting swimmers and staff know the conditions of the water and if they are safe to swim in.

“We have more drownings on green flag and yellow flag days than red flag days... Thats what people need to understand," stated Co-founder and Executive Director of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project Dave Benjamin.

New Buffalo Beach has implemented specific swim zones, areas that when flags are green, they are safer places to swim in.

Lifeguards have a pathway cleared in the middle of this zone to be able to quickly rescue people in the water.

The city is working to implement more education about these waters. Darwin Watson, New Buffalo City Manager, says the city is aiming to continue “Educating informing and trying to assist people if they have questions relative to water safety.”

If you are ever in a dangerous situation in the water, Benjamin says it is "natural instinct in to fight to survive to swim against this current which could be a fatal flaw. So, what we advocate is if you're ever struggling in any body of water is that you flip float and follow."