This boating incident with the NFL players raises the question of when would it be appropriate to leave a capsized boat (violating a prime safety rule) and attempt to swim to shore? I'm sure many of the people on this forum would do just fine only a mile from shore in reasonable seas, and I'm also sure some would feel safe going for it at even longer distances. I'm curious, what's your threshold?
While cold would definitely be a factor, I would think the larger one would be line of sight. Even if you are used to open water swimming, it can be hard to maintain a straight line. I'm not sure how you would keep straight if all you have around you is water and more water. And even if you could maintain a straight line, without something to sight off of it is hard to gauge how the current, etc. is affecting your course. Plus, if you are going to leave a boat voluntarily, you want to be absolutely sure that you are aiming at land--and preferably the closest land. It can be hard enough for rescuers to find boats in the water, much less something as small as a single swimmer.
More to the point, here's hoping that none of us ever find ourselves in that situation.
While cold would definitely be a factor, I would think the larger one would be line of sight. Even if you are used to open water swimming, it can be hard to maintain a straight line. I'm not sure how you would keep straight if all you have around you is water and more water. And even if you could maintain a straight line, without something to sight off of it is hard to gauge how the current, etc. is affecting your course. Plus, if you are going to leave a boat voluntarily, you want to be absolutely sure that you are aiming at land--and preferably the closest land. It can be hard enough for rescuers to find boats in the water, much less something as small as a single swimmer.
More to the point, here's hoping that none of us ever find ourselves in that situation.
