Every weather condition seen on the North Atlantic can be found in the Great Lakes. Thus the Great Lakes Naval Station was an important training facility during WWII.
Other than sinking ships, all drownings will occur along the shoreline. The Great Lakes have over 6000 miles of shoreline, more than four times that of Florida. How many people have drown at Florida's beaches since 2010?
I grew up in the Chicagoland area and was always flabbergasted by how strict the rules were at Chicago beaches. The lifeguards sit in row boats screaming through megaphones and blowing whistles if anyone goes in deeper than mid-thigh. I guess they know what they're doing after all.
A couple dozen seem to die each year at the lake by my house. My best friend is a coast guard aviator. People who wear life jackets pretty much always survive. Don’t be an idiot. Wear a life jacket.