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....
"According to data reported to Swimming World, the sport experienced 16 deaths in 2010 at more than 3,600 events held in 84 countries."
www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/.../26950.asp
It would be interesting to know how many of those 16 deaths occurred during sanctioned events, (sanctioned by FINA, USMS, ...). If the sport's popularity has grown by 25% per year, and the fatalies likewise, then working backwards ....
2010 16
2009 13
2008 10
2007 8
2006 6
2005 5
2004 4
2003 3
2002 2
there have been 50-60 deaths during open water events... surely there has been at least one wrongful death suit.
I think some of this could relate to the fact that now, as compared with years ago, there or more and more people attempting open water events than really should be. In the past, most of the open water swims were done by very proficient swimmers who knew they could complete the task. Now, we're seeing more and more people who want to "see if they can make it", which is making it more and more dangerous in terms of safety in the water. If you don't have enough safety measures/preventions in place, this type of disaster may be ongoing. Safety should be #1 for all events, OW, 50 Meter pool, backyard pool, bathtub, etc. Anything can happen to anyone. But think about it, what will you be leaving behind if you don't make it to the other side??? :2cents:
"According to data reported to Swimming World, the sport experienced 16 deaths in 2010 at more than 3,600 events held in 84 countries."
www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/.../26950.asp
It would be interesting to know how many of those 16 deaths occurred during sanctioned events, (sanctioned by FINA, USMS, ...). If the sport's popularity has grown by 25% per year, and the fatalies likewise, then working backwards ....
2010 16
2009 13
2008 10
2007 8
2006 6
2005 5
2004 4
2003 3
2002 2
there have been 50-60 deaths during open water events... surely there has been at least one wrongful death suit.
I think some of this could relate to the fact that now, as compared with years ago, there or more and more people attempting open water events than really should be. In the past, most of the open water swims were done by very proficient swimmers who knew they could complete the task. Now, we're seeing more and more people who want to "see if they can make it", which is making it more and more dangerous in terms of safety in the water. If you don't have enough safety measures/preventions in place, this type of disaster may be ongoing. Safety should be #1 for all events, OW, 50 Meter pool, backyard pool, bathtub, etc. Anything can happen to anyone. But think about it, what will you be leaving behind if you don't make it to the other side??? :2cents:
