I hope more people will get check ups, train smart, and become more aware of their limits before its too late.
It is comforting to assume that he wasn't fit (couldn't have been, right?), didn't train smart (ie, not like me), and didn't get check ups (because early detection of coronary artery disease, among other conditions, in an asymptomatic individual is straightforward, isn't it?).
The reality is that there is some degree risk of risk associated with a swim like this even under favorable conditions. And these conditions were most certainly not favorable.
It is comforting to assume that he wasn't fit (couldn't have been, right?), didn't train smart (ie, not like me), and didn't get check ups (because early detection of coronary artery disease, among other conditions, in an asymptomatic individual is straightforward, isn't it?).
The reality is that there is some degree risk of risk associated with a swim like this even under favorable conditions. And these conditions were most certainly not favorable.
Reality is; training for a swim in the SF bay should include cold, rough water. And informed participants should determine if the degree of risk is acceptable for themselves. An insurance provider will only determine whether the policy will be profitable.
This was an organized event with a race director who had a responsibility to assess the conditions of the bay that morning.
Most of the participants lack your open water abilities (with which we are all duly impressed).
This was an organized event with a race director who had a responsibility to assess the conditions of the bay that morning.
I would assume they did, and I would also assume that they considered the conditions to be not outside the range of what one might expect from the description of the event... if you have information to the contrary, please share it.
So if you, and the others posting on this thread that believe the event should have been canceled would be kind enough, please:
What are acceptable water temps? (high and low)
What are acceptable accompanying air temps? (high and low)
What is an acceptable wave amplitude?
What is an acceptable cross current speed?
What should be the limit on the number of participants?
How far should they be spaced out for the start?
Who should certify whether a swimmer is qualified to participate in an event?
Should an event director check the fit of wetsuits? too lose, too tight? BMI? etc.
I would assume they did, and I would also assume that they considered the conditions to be not outside the range of what one might expect from the description of the event... if you have information to the contrary, please share it.
So if you, and the others posting on this thread that believe the event should have been canceled would be kind enough, please:
What are acceptable water temps? (high and low)
What are acceptable accompanying air temps? (high and low)
What is an acceptable wave amplitude?
What is an acceptable cross current speed?
What should be the limit on the number of participants?
How far should they be spaced out for the start?
Who should certify whether a swimmer is qualified to participate in an event?
Should an event director check the fit of wetsuits? too lose, too tight? BMI? etc.
Not my job. But in my line of work, when there is a death you need to question whether you should have handled things differently.
Not my job. But in my line of work, when there is a death you need to question whether you should have handled things differently.
I'm sure there will be an investigation. Still... USAT seems to accept that there are risks involved in competition.
This is the release from an event I recently participated in (not a USAT event). The word "death" occurs 3x. I signed it, but didn't get parental consent.:
I, _____________________________________________________ (please print full name of competitor), in
consideration of being allowed by Mad River Glen Cooperative to participate in
__________________________________________________________ (print name of event) at Mad River Glen,
and any preparatory training therefore, do hereby release and agree to hold harmless and indemnify the directors,
officers, shareholders, agents, servants, and employees of Mad River Glen Cooperative of any and all corporations
who are involved, whether they merely own the land or are directly involved in the management of Mad River Glen
and its insurance carrier, and the directors, officers, shareholders, any and all agents, servants, and employees of
such insurance carrier from any and all claims, actions, or damages without any limitation whatsoever, whether
consisting of personal injury, property damage, or death that does or may result in any way from my participation in
these competitive sporting events, whether such injuries of any kind or nature or such death is caused by their
negligence or not, assuming myself any and all responsibility and liability for the same. I further agree to indemnify
and hold harmless all of those above named from any damages or cost or expense whatsoever which they or any of
them sustain as a result of any claim brought by anyone against any of them as a result of my preparation for and/or
my participation these competitive sporting events.
I, as a competitor, completely understand that this paragraph constitutes a covenant and a promise on my part to
fully discharge all of the above-named parties from any and all liability of any kind for any injuries, loss, damage, or
death which may result from my participation in these competitive sporting events.
Additionally, in consideration of being permitted to compete in these events, I hereby release Mad River Glen
Cooperative and any other sponsors, promoters, etc., their successors, agents, servants, and all other persons for all
claims, demands, and causes of action of any kind of nature which I may have or ever will have arising out of or
connected with the filming (movies or still) and taping (voice or otherwise) of me during such competition and the
use thereof of such materials as shall result from these activities by anyone thereafter. I consent to making of such
photographs and films and/or tapes, and the further use, reproduction, and publication of the same in perpetuity,
worldwide and in any and all media, whether nor known or hereafter developed.
This release is binding, and I so understand, not only upon myself but upon my heirs, administrators, executors, and
assigns, and I herewith again reaffirm my free and willing intent to execute it, acknowledging a complete
understanding of its terms and conditions and the totality of its effect, and the totalness of the waiver of any rights
that I would otherwise have had, had this agreement not been executed.
Maybe wetsuit wearers can comment on this: How does the water feel initially when you're suddenly immersed in it, as in the case here, where you jump in the water off the boat? Does it feel shockingly cold at first, and then you warm up, or are you warm from the outset?
Based on my only sub 60° wetsuit swim, when the cold water rushes into your suit it is almost as bad as no suit, but within minutes it is noticeably warmer.
I've been swimming in cold water (down to 58F) with triathletes for years. I wear a swimsuit. They wear long-sleeved wetsuits, neoprene caps and neoprene booties. They CRY getting in 65-degree water. I've seen guys that were ready to bail on a swim because the water was too cold until they saw me in my bikini, quietly easing my way in. An observer would assume that they were suffering way more than I was.
I'd never worn a wetsuit myself, so I always assumed it was like E=H20 said.
Then, I wore a sleeveless wetsuit in 61-degree water for Ironman Arizona. (I only did the swim portion of the race.) Except for the practice swim the day before, I'd never worn a wetsuit. I was SHOCKED at how warm I felt from the very first moment. I felt the chill of the water on my bare arms, but it was NOTHING. I got in the water 10 minutes before the start, and I didn't even have to move to stay warm.
(Without the wetsuit, 61-degrees is pretty darn cold for me. I could have done the 2.4-mile swim without it, but I couldn't have handled waiting at the start.)
Here's my non-expert opinion on triathlon swim deaths: Panic is bad for you, especially if you have a heart condition. Different things cause panic for different people, but a tight wetsuit, a chaotic race start, choppy water, race-day anxiety and an initial shock of cold water would be hot buttons for most people.
Even though I've just said what a tough little cookie I am, I would be afraid to dive headfirst into 52-degree water. Even if I were mummified in neoprene. I would want to be in the water for a few moments before submerging my head.
This, apparently, wasn't his first triathlon, so he no doubt had at least some experience in open water. But even for someone who's done tri's before, the conditions look pretty intimidating. If he was nervous, I can see why.
Last year, at the Boston Marathon, when temps were supposed to go into the 90s, they gave runners the option of deferring until this year. Perhaps the wise thing to do in races like this, is to offer participants a similar option. It would hopefully encourage those don't feel ready to handle the conditions a chance to pull out without losing the opportunity to try again.
