After the death of one of four swimmers critically injured in Minneapolis water emergencies this week, authorities warned swimmers and boaters to be extra cautious this weekend.

City beaches have far fewer lifeguards than usual because of COVID-19 cutbacks, Hennepin County Sheriff David Hutchinson said in a news release Friday.

On Tuesday, two men were pulled from the water at Bde Maka Ska’s Thomas Beach by Minneapolis firefighters. Both were taken to HCMC, where one man later died. The second was treated and released.

On Friday, the name of the swimmer who died was released by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office. Mickenzie Tyler Martin, 19, of Santa Clara, Calif., died of freshwater drowning Wednesday night, the medical examiner said.

Also Tuesday, a man was pulled from Lake Nokomis by bystanders who administered CPR. He was taken to HCMC, where he remained in stable but critical condition Friday.

On Wednesday, a woman was pulled from the water at Minnehaha Falls and taken to HCMC, where she too was in stable but critical condition Friday.

“We understand the desire to get out on the water during the summer months, but it is critical for people to understand that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most beaches are not staffed by professional lifeguards,” Hutchinson said. “We urge everyone to study basic water safety techniques, especially those who are not strong swimmers or have not had formal swimming training.”

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The beach at Menominee Park in Oshkosh has become a popular place to swim, and Howard residents are enjoying the Duck Creek Quarry. Creeks and rivers can be tempting too, but one local pediatrician is cautioning people about swimming in some of these areas.

According to Dr. Abby Smolcich of ThedaCare Physicians Pediatrics-Darboy, “There can be visibility issues, it can be very difficult to see the bottom. There can be rocks and other items there that can be a trip hazard or could cause injuries. Currents are a big issue, especially in rivers and creeks.”

Many of these open waters do caution people there are no lifeguards on duty and you’re swimming at your own risk. It’s a good reminder that parents need to be vigilant when taking their kids swimming in these types of places.

“There’s a very big misconception that drowning is loud,” says Dr. Smolcich. Adding, “A lot of people think that if their child happened to fall into a pool or a lake and they are drowning that they’ll be able to tell, they’ll be able to hear them, they’ll be able to see them, they’ll be thrashing around and that’s not the case, drowning is silent.”

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