from the PacMasters Update Email
Ross Shoemaker, RIP
1942-2007
Ross Shoemaker died suddenly at the Senior Games following one of his swims. Ross had collapsed on the deck, and was not able to be revived. It is a terrible loss - Ross was a longtime member of the San Mateo Marlins, a warm and supportive man, and a devoted swimmer with an encouraging word for everyone.
Ross coached at Chabot Junior College for many years. Services are pending.
I don't think I need to point out the frequncy with which these unfortunate events have been occuring recently. Should active swimmers be getting stress echos or something as they get older? Are simple BP and lipid screens simply not enough?
Parents
Former Member
Did a search on these forums for "heart attack." All of the following had a heart attack during or just after a race. The date listed is the date of the first posting I found, not the date of the heart attack.
- Ross Shoemaker (5/7/07)
- Parry O'Brien (4/23/07)
- Dave Parcells (4/23/07)
- Ron Johnson (3/31/07)
- Robert (Bob) Miller (12/6/06)
- Richard Smith (4/8/06)
- "Brendan" (no last name given) (5/2/05)
- Arnie Green (12/7/04)
- David Gregg III (2/17/04)
- Jeffrey Wortman (8/29/03)
- Bill Earley (7/5/02)
Most of these people passed away, and I send along my condolences. I am sorry if I accidentally left any other names off this list.
I have a few observations, and I apologize for sounding clinical.
I notice by their names they are all men (unless one is a woman with a 'manly' nickname).
I can't say whether this is a high number or low number compared with other sports. The risk is definitely present in other sports. (Google "marathon runner dies".)
Here is a Wikipedia article on heart attacks during marathons:
en.wikipedia.org/.../Marathon
However, I think two things are in order:
- Scholarly research into heart attacks at swim meets. Anything that uncovers a pattern (age, height, weight) would be a big help, I'd think.
- A brochure sent to all entrants into Master's meets describing heart attack symptoms and outlining the risks of overstraining the heart during races.
Did a search on these forums for "heart attack." All of the following had a heart attack during or just after a race. The date listed is the date of the first posting I found, not the date of the heart attack.
- Ross Shoemaker (5/7/07)
- Parry O'Brien (4/23/07)
- Dave Parcells (4/23/07)
- Ron Johnson (3/31/07)
- Robert (Bob) Miller (12/6/06)
- Richard Smith (4/8/06)
- "Brendan" (no last name given) (5/2/05)
- Arnie Green (12/7/04)
- David Gregg III (2/17/04)
- Jeffrey Wortman (8/29/03)
- Bill Earley (7/5/02)
Most of these people passed away, and I send along my condolences. I am sorry if I accidentally left any other names off this list.
I have a few observations, and I apologize for sounding clinical.
I notice by their names they are all men (unless one is a woman with a 'manly' nickname).
I can't say whether this is a high number or low number compared with other sports. The risk is definitely present in other sports. (Google "marathon runner dies".)
Here is a Wikipedia article on heart attacks during marathons:
en.wikipedia.org/.../Marathon
However, I think two things are in order:
- Scholarly research into heart attacks at swim meets. Anything that uncovers a pattern (age, height, weight) would be a big help, I'd think.
- A brochure sent to all entrants into Master's meets describing heart attack symptoms and outlining the risks of overstraining the heart during races.
