BEVERLY SHORES | Two people nearly drown when they were swept out into Lake Michigan shortly after noon Wednesday at Dunbar Beach, a small beach east of Kemil Beach.

Park Ranger Bruce Rowe said an adult and three children were swimming when two of them -- the adult and one of the children -- were swept out by what he suspects was a rip current.

"They managed to get back to shore on their own power," Rowe said. "They were having difficulty breathing (apparently because of breathing in water)."

Rowe said both patients -- a father and a son -- were conscious and alert when transported to Saint Anthony Memorial in Michigan City for treatment. He said a park ranger, who went to the hospital, was told both were expected to be released later in the day.

Rowe said people need to be aware of the dangers of rip currents, which form when a north wind brings strong waves to the shore. The water builds up at the shore before breaking through a section of the sand bar and going back out with great force.

"Sometimes swimmers get caught in these and try to swim against them and drown," Rowe said.

"It's the No. 1 danger in Lake Michigan."

He said on days such as Wednesday, where there are large, breaking waves, people should not go into the lake at all, or just go out a short distance. People who are swept out by a rip current shouldn't fight against it, but rather should swim to the side, parallel to the shore, until released from the current's strength.

"It (the near drownings) is a good wake-up call to remind people that Lake Michigan can be very dangerous," Rowe said.