Sad news: Fran Crippen, 26, passes away

Former Member
Former Member
Full story: www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/.../25369.asp Excerpt: Passages: Fran Crippen, 26 - FINA, USA Swimming Release Statements -- October 23, 2010 FUJAIRAH, United Arab Emirates, October 23. SHORTLY after the FINA Open Water 10K World Cup swim today in the UAE, United States swimmer Fran Crippen, 26, passed away after falling unconscious during the race. With the water in the mid-to-high 80s, the competitors all finished and noticed that Crippen had not crossed the finish line. Meet management brought in deep sea divers, who found Crippen unconscious just before the final buoy nearly two hours later. He was transported to the Fujairah Hospital and later died according to information provided to Swimming World. Conflicting reports state that he was found dead on the course. Crippen had shown signs of slowing down during the third lap of the five-lap race. When Crippen did not immediately finish, a fact noticed by teammate Alex Meyer who screamed for help, the competing swimmers rushed back into the water to help with the search. Information provided to Swimming World demonstrates that the water was likely too hot for the event as several swimmers were treated for heat exhaustion after the race....
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  • Former Member
    Former Member
    There is a big difference between spotting a struggling swimmer in the water and spotting someone suffering from heat exhaustion. Hyperthermia causes the brain to be starved of oxygen. You cannot rescue someone in that situation by spotting them with binoculars because one moment you are swimming and the next moment you are face down in the water unconscience. And considering the state of the brain, I HIGHLY doubt that you have 30 Again, you don't know what you are talking about. Heat exhaustion doesn't happen suddenly. Spotting a weak swimmer is exactly what binoculars are for. Also, you most certainly have more than 30 seconds to revive an unconscious swimmer, and the distance one can travel in 30 seconds on a paddleboard is huge. If there is a sudden illness (heart attack) it is a bit more tricky, however people usually don't sink to deep right away. With a jet ski or paddleboard you can find them pretty quick, but you need to have a general idea as to where they are, hence the binoculars. I apologize if you took my "genius" comment personally, but I am completely dumbfounded by that attitude. I am not offended by your lack of knowledge.
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  • Former Member
    Former Member
    There is a big difference between spotting a struggling swimmer in the water and spotting someone suffering from heat exhaustion. Hyperthermia causes the brain to be starved of oxygen. You cannot rescue someone in that situation by spotting them with binoculars because one moment you are swimming and the next moment you are face down in the water unconscience. And considering the state of the brain, I HIGHLY doubt that you have 30 Again, you don't know what you are talking about. Heat exhaustion doesn't happen suddenly. Spotting a weak swimmer is exactly what binoculars are for. Also, you most certainly have more than 30 seconds to revive an unconscious swimmer, and the distance one can travel in 30 seconds on a paddleboard is huge. If there is a sudden illness (heart attack) it is a bit more tricky, however people usually don't sink to deep right away. With a jet ski or paddleboard you can find them pretty quick, but you need to have a general idea as to where they are, hence the binoculars. I apologize if you took my "genius" comment personally, but I am completely dumbfounded by that attitude. I am not offended by your lack of knowledge.
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