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Dave Benjamin, co-founder and executive director of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, usually starts his water safety classes by talking about fire. “What do you do in case of a fire emergency?” He normally asks the crowd of children. “Stop, drop and roll,” they say.

On July 27, 2013, 15-year-old Matthew Kocher was away from home on a camp trip to New Buffalo City Beach in New Buffalo, Michigan, earning community service hours for school. While standing in the shallow Lake Michigan waters, Kocher got caught in a rip current.

“We were basically pool people, like most people,” John Kocher (pictured in orange), Matthew’s father, said.

After Matthew’s funeral, John and his wife, Kathy, set up a foundation in their son’s name. They have since partnered with Benjamin and the GLSRP to sponsor more than 300 water safety talks in Illinois.

The following are the water safety tips they hope will save a life.

“Check the weather reports, check the wave reports and check for a rip-current warning. See if any flags are up,” Kocher said.

Whether at the beach or pool, the National Drowning Prevention Alliance suggests parents designate a water watcher or water guardian.

In a water emergency, GLSRP recommends swimmers flip, float and follow.

Swimming is an essential skill. However, 64% of African American children, 45% of Hispanic children and 40% of white children cannot swim.