Death during Nationals

www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/.../35580.asp Dewey & I had agreed to count for each other during the 1500 at Nationals but I ended up not entering the meet. I feel guilty for not being there with him, but also relieved that I did not have to witness the death of a friend. I don't think he ever posted on this forum, but he did lurk a lot and was a regular reader of pwb's High Volume workouts. At 2009 SC Nationals, he tackled the ultimate double, racing the 1000 and 1650 on the same day, placing top 3 in both. The next morning, he came back and finished 3rd in the 400 IM. Several years ago, our main coach commented that he would prefer to die either on his bike, or while coaching a hard swim set. Dewey said he would want to go during a race. I was so sorry to hear about a death of a fellow swimmer at Nationals. It is nice he passed while doing something he enjoyed, and the fact that you quoted him saying he would choose to go during a race almost makes it seem better yet. I hope it was quick and painless for him, and maybe those he left behind can take solace in the fact he got to end it the way he wanted. RIP Dewey.

I am so sorry.My condolences to all that knew him.

Sad news to hear :( Is the 1650 a masters only length ?

Too sad. I didn't know him and feel like I lost a friend. Seems like we shared similar values; we're almost exactly a year apart in age. The swimming world will miss his good karma, and I hope his family and friends will soon be able to cherish all of the memories from such a terrific person. On completion and life, as my parents taught me (see bold part below): "You'll find the road is long and rough, with soft spots far apart, Where only those can make the grade who have the Uphill Heart. And when they stop you with a thud or halt you with a crack, Let Courage call the signals as you keep on coming back. "Keep coming back, and though the world may romp across your spine, Let every game's end find you still upon the battling line; For when the One Great Scorer comes to mark against your name, He writes - not that you won or lost - but how you played the Game." Excerpted from Alumnus Football by the immortal Grantland Rice. RIP Dewey, swim towards the light.

The risk of sudden cardiac death due to coronary artery disease is increased slightly with strenuous (as opposed to moderate intensity) exercise. In all likelihood, if he hadn't suffered this during his 1500 it would have occurred at some other time and place. At least here there were first responders who could attend to him promptly, which gave him his best chance of surviving. Godspeed, Dewey. Hi Gull, I'm glad to hear a cardiologist say this! This is definitely the "take and feel" I get on situations like this. I have a stupid, genetic condition called LQT and I didn't find out about it until the age of 56.5. Throughout my life I was a swim team member, a solid and decent triathlete, and a sub 3 hour marathoner. When I was first told I couldn't exercise due to this precarious heart situation I freaked out. When my EP refused to talk to me anymore I found a new EP/Cardiologist who was much more qualified in the LQT area and definitely a people person who spent time with me as a person, not just a fluky heart. After breaking the IU Healthcare- Methodist Hosp. max record on the treadmill in flipflops, and receiving a genetic test confirming LQT I learned myself and one of my daughters have a never before seen genetic mutation Heterozygous for Gly983Asp in the SCN5A gene; novel, variant of unknown significance in the SCN5a gene. In other words we are heterozygous for a novel variant of unknown significance in the SCN5A gene. My EP was impressed w/my Ecko-stress results and told me my variant was probably non-problematic but he still thinks I should take Beta Blockers. (my lqt remained long as the hr elevated but never became arrhythmic) The IU med-center is now studying our case. What does this mean for me?? I think about my curious heart rhythm frequently. When I'm tired or not feeling my best I sometimes hesitate going to practice but in the end I always decide this: I am the same person I've always been my whole life and my heart, endurance, and physical energy has always been one of my most positive assets. If I give up on this part of my life I won't be the same, fearless person I've always been, and my career will no longer be relevant to what I feel and believe. I finally started swimming and competing again and am slowly working my way to fearless confidence. I've made a deal with myself that if I die during this quest it would probably happen anyway so why make myself miserable. Yesterday after learning of Dewey's death I had some negative thoughts about my heart on the way to the pool but I tried my hardest to stick them away and out of sight. My warm-ups always suck, but I was rewarded with a nice 3,400 Long Course workout and more importantly I still feel like myself.

The risk of sudden cardiac death due to coronary artery disease is increased slightly with strenuous (as opposed to moderate intensity) exercise. In all likelihood, if he hadn't suffered this during his 1500 it would have occurred at some other time and place. At least here there were first responders who could attend to him promptly, which gave him his best chance of surviving. Godspeed, Dewey.

I was there and was and was actually watching him swim the 1500. I had just met the swimmer, Megan, in the lane next to Dewey. The Responders were on this super fast. I was wondering what the outcome was. Thoughts and prayers for Dewey and his family. I will light a candle for him.

Very sorry to hear about this. Sending prayers and condolences to his family and friends.

Just to clarify, I was addressing the risk of SCD due to CAD. As you know there actually is an LQT variant associated with SCD while swimming.

Here is a nice article about Louis "Dewey" Slater. He had been a continuous USMS member for more than 20 years; you can find Top 10 listings for him dating back to 1980. Fresno store owner Dewey Slater, 64, dies at Masters swim meet Thanks for linking that article. It was on the front page of the paper this morning.