I have been swimming at a local YMCA for the past 11 years. They have had an on again and off again (mostly off) Masters program. I try to swim 3-4 times a week and have always performed essentially the same "routine" before my swim.
Recently, I have been warned, and notified that I am at risk of being kicked out of the pool for my warm-up routine.
I am fully aware of the risks involving hypoxic blackout. There seems to be some unclear rules regarding "No breath Holding", "only swim 2/3 the length underwater", "only swim 3/4 the length underwater" etc.
Is this behavior unreasonably dangerous?
Any suggestions?
As a routine practice, I have always performed the following actions prior to my swimming workout:
Kind of a weird thing but I always make it a habit of not ‘testing’ the water before jumping in. (Weird I know… but it’s habit)
I place my goggles on my head standing at pools edge and jump in.
I quickly surface, take a breath and perform a dolphin kick swim underwater the length of the pool. (25 Yds).
Upon surfacing, I begin a series of leisurely freestyle strokes, and transition to drills before engaging in my main sets that are approx. 2500-4000 yds.
At no time whatsoever, do I attempt to engage in hyperventilation followed by underwater breath holding, or repetitive underwater laps. Never!
Well...this policy isn't isolated. The pool I swim at (and also work part-time as a lifeguard) is on a Navy training base. The base is home to Navy divers, a few SEALs who are out of the usual SEAL tour rotation, and sailors training to get into the SEAL training program. All of the above are required to swim lengths of the pool underwater. However, the pool is primarily for recreational use (i.e. lap swimming). Consequently, they are NOT permitted to do it during recreational/lap swim times. This type of swimming/workout requires more supervision than just regular lap swimming. The pool can be reserved for specific training such as this...with proper/qualified supervision and instructors.
Dan
Well...this policy isn't isolated. The pool I swim at (and also work part-time as a lifeguard) is on a Navy training base. The base is home to Navy divers, a few SEALs who are out of the usual SEAL tour rotation, and sailors training to get into the SEAL training program. All of the above are required to swim lengths of the pool underwater. However, the pool is primarily for recreational use (i.e. lap swimming). Consequently, they are NOT permitted to do it during recreational/lap swim times. This type of swimming/workout requires more supervision than just regular lap swimming. The pool can be reserved for specific training such as this...with proper/qualified supervision and instructors.
Dan
