Sad news: Fran Crippen, 26, passes away

It was an avoidable death in a FINA sanctioned event. Time for the cover up.

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. Five years ago the triathletes I saw at practice training for IronMan races were excellent swimmers, most faster than me. There are two or three people aiming at this year's IronMan Louisville where I am currently swimming. Though no doubt in excellent shape from all the other training they do, they are much less proficient swimmers. I have a hard time seeing how they will complete a 2.4 mile open water swim. The swim will be in the Ohio river. It looks like the first 1/3 of the course will be against whatever current the river has at that point. The water temp will likely be above the 78 degree max for use of a wetsuit, so they won't have the buoyancy advantage it provides either. S

I think it must be remembered that when people are doing these OW swims, that they are all pushing themselves to their own personal limits. That limit for elite athletes such as Fran Crippen will be at a much faster pace than your typical weekend warrior, but nevertheless everyone will be pushing hard. And I think this has been mentioned before but, you push yourself over the limit in a run, you will collapse in full view of the spectators and the rest of the field, collapse out in the ocean or a lake and sadly, you are much less visible. This is what makes OW inherently more dangerous and is where the safety measures need to be addressed. Just my :2cents:

I have read this and do not think there is very much in this to protect any one. The water temperatures laid out are good. But In Lake Ontario the water temp can read good to go but one hour later the temperature can change up to 10 degrees. I went to the lake one day checked the temperature to see if I was going to train, it was 62 degrees. I talked a little while with friends and put my swimsuit on. When I got in the water I was shocked my feet went numb, I took the temperature again and it was 52 degrees. Also I still prefer a doctor on site to check swimmers before the race begins. www.swimnews.com/.../8596 US Crippen Inquiry Urges Marathon Overhaul Craig Lord Apr 13, 2011 The USA Open Water Review Commission appointed by USA Swimming to investigate the death of Fran Crippen (USA) in a 10km FINA world cup marathon race off the coast of the United Arab Emirates on October 23 last year has issued a thinly veiled criticism of the international federation for failing to provide information about the most tragic race day in the organisation's history. On the day that the commission's recommendations, a blueprint for whole-scale reform of - and a better day in - open water are issued, the five-person inquiry team states: "Because FINA has declined to provide information as to the circumstances on the day of the race until after it has issued its report, the Commission has not been able to complete a review of the circumstances surrounding Fran Crippen’s death. Requests for information have been made of FINA by the investigators engaged by USA Swimming, by USA Swimming staff and by the Commission. To date, no information has been provided by FINA." FINA's Bureau is scheduled to consider the report of its own Task Force into Fran Crippen's death in July, a delay of four months caused by the report having been returned to the Task Force for removal of material that the FINA executive deemed to have exceeded its "scope and mission". In a statement, USA Swimming indicated that the Commission's work was not yet done: "The Commission will remain standing in anticipation of a report from FINA, the international governing body of swimming." The US commission was in little doubt that Fran Crippen died as a result of heat exhaustion. It also concludes that USA Swimming needs to take more seriously its responsibilities to open water athletes and recommends that USA Swimming hire a full-time person to manage open water administrative tasks. Recommendations at a glance, which included many of the things called for by athletes in their 11-point plan sent to FINA: all open water race organizers to have a safety plan in place which includes sufficient and specific monitoring of swimmers with specific parameters that must be met a feeding station every 2km safety precautions for pre-race warm-up and post-race warm-down. Ambient temperature rules, including: 1. If the water temperature is below 16 C (60.8 F), no race can be held. 2. For races of 5K and above, if the water is above 31 C (87.8 F), no race can be held. 3. If the air temperature and water temperature added together (in Celsius) are less than a total of 30, no race can be held. 4. If the air temperature and water temperature added together (in Celsius) are greater than 63, no race can be held. water testing for quality removal of any requirement for athletes to participate in any particular race of an open water series in order to receive final point standings or prize money in the series. use of tracking devices to track athletes in open water races and a process by which athletes would certify themselves “medically fit and adequately prepared” for the race USA Swimming hire a full-time person to manage open water administrative tasks. Led by IOC and WADA leading light Richard Pound, the chairman, the commission of Sid Cassidy, Harold Cliff, Dr. Scott Rodeo and Erica Rose, states: "The Commission has decided that the importance of improvements in safety protocols, procedures and precautions in a discipline such as open water swimming, with its particular risks, is such that proposals for the improvements must be considered whatever the circumstances of Fran Crippen’s death may have been. "It goes almost without saying that there must be immediate recognition when a swimmer is struggling or loses consciousness; there must be immediate rescue when loss of consciousness occurs; and there must be immediate resuscitation to address medical emergencies. "While it seems fairly clear that Fran Crippen lost consciousness as a result of heat exhaustion, there are many medical conditions which might lead to the same result. The difference between losing consciousness in a land-based event and an open water event is quite unique. The open water swimmer will sink and start to aspirate water instead of air and the progressive lack of oxygen will not cause the swimmer to “wake up.” Once this occurs, rescue must take place very quickly in order to avoid serious medical consequences, including death. "The recommendations which follow are circulated for consideration by USA Swimming and the open water community generally. They were adopted unanimously by the Open Water Review Commission". ..................................................

www.swimnews.com/.../8596 US Crippen Inquiry Urges Marathon Overhaul Craig Lord Apr 13, 2011 The USA Open Water Review Commission appointed by USA Swimming to investigate the death of Fran Crippen (USA) in a 10km FINA world cup marathon race off the coast of the United Arab Emirates on October 23 last year has issued a thinly veiled criticism of the international federation for failing to provide information about the most tragic race day in the organisation's history. On the day that the commission's recommendations, a blueprint for whole-scale reform of - and a better day in - open water are issued, the five-person inquiry team states: "Because FINA has declined to provide information as to the circumstances on the day of the race until after it has issued its report, the Commission has not been able to complete a review of the circumstances surrounding Fran Crippen’s death. Requests for information have been made of FINA by the investigators engaged by USA Swimming, by USA Swimming staff and by the Commission. To date, no information has been provided by FINA." FINA's Bureau is scheduled to consider the report of its own Task Force into Fran Crippen's death in July, a delay of four months caused by the report having been returned to the Task Force for removal of material that the FINA executive deemed to have exceeded its "scope and mission". In a statement, USA Swimming indicated that the Commission's work was not yet done: "The Commission will remain standing in anticipation of a report from FINA, the international governing body of swimming." The US commission was in little doubt that Fran Crippen died as a result of heat exhaustion. It also concludes that USA Swimming needs to take more seriously its responsibilities to open water athletes and recommends that USA Swimming hire a full-time person to manage open water administrative tasks. Recommendations at a glance, which included many of the things called for by athletes in their 11-point plan sent to FINA: all open water race organizers to have a safety plan in place which includes sufficient and specific monitoring of swimmers with specific parameters that must be met a feeding station every 2km safety precautions for pre-race warm-up and post-race warm-down. Ambient temperature rules, including: 1. If the water temperature is below 16 C (60.8 F), no race can be held. 2. For races of 5K and above, if the water is above 31 C (87.8 F), no race can be held. 3. If the air temperature and water temperature added together (in Celsius) are less than a total of 30, no race can be held. 4. If the air temperature and water temperature added together (in Celsius) are greater than 63, no race can be held. water testing for quality removal of any requirement for athletes to participate in any particular race of an open water series in order to receive final point standings or prize money in the series. use of tracking devices to track athletes in open water races and a process by which athletes would certify themselves “medically fit and adequately prepared” for the race USA Swimming hire a full-time person to manage open water administrative tasks. Led by IOC and WADA leading light Richard Pound, the chairman, the commission of Sid Cassidy, Harold Cliff, Dr. Scott Rodeo and Erica Rose, states: "The Commission has decided that the importance of improvements in safety protocols, procedures and precautions in a discipline such as open water swimming, with its particular risks, is such that proposals for the improvements must be considered whatever the circumstances of Fran Crippen’s death may have been. "It goes almost without saying that there must be immediate recognition when a swimmer is struggling or loses consciousness; there must be immediate rescue when loss of consciousness occurs; and there must be immediate resuscitation to address medical emergencies. "While it seems fairly clear that Fran Crippen lost consciousness as a result of heat exhaustion, there are many medical conditions which might lead to the same result. The difference between losing consciousness in a land-based event and an open water event is quite unique. The open water swimmer will sink and start to aspirate water instead of air and the progressive lack of oxygen will not cause the swimmer to “wake up.” Once this occurs, rescue must take place very quickly in order to avoid serious medical consequences, including death. "The recommendations which follow are circulated for consideration by USA Swimming and the open water community generally. They were adopted unanimously by the Open Water Review Commission". ..................................................

FINA "responds": www.nytimes.com/.../AP-SWM-FINA-Crippen-Death.html

Rather than just express concern, or send additional suggestions, has USAS (or USMS) considered refusing to sanction or recognize FINA sanctions for OW events until such measures are put in place? Would it matter if USAS (and/or USMS) came out with such a formal position?

A little update on sanctions: FINA does not sanction events, it only awards the name. All sanctions are issued by the national governing bodies where the event is to be held. Fran was swimming under a UAE swimming sanction, that is why no one in FINA was held accountable. Because of the huge amount of oil money in the region, and FINA's attraction to lots of money, more swimming events are being held in the gulf region, where the swimming culture is relatively new and unsophisticated in its application. Money, greed and loose sanction requirements equals danger for competitors in the quest for world FINA standing.

Well… while a young life was taken 6 moths ago under the supervision of FINA ´s board without anyone being held responsible… now, people just through words at each other and unsafe competitions are being approved by the same organization: FINA My selfish thought is: glad do not have children swimming under supervised FINA events and quit all open water and FINA´s events. :afraid: Hope the best for the ones who accept the opinion of such a organization.:bolt:

A little update on sanctions: FINA does not sanction events, it only awards the name. All sanctions are issued by the national governing bodies where the event is to be held. Fran was swimming under a UAE swimming sanction, that is why no one in FINA was held accountable. FINA absolutely should be held accountable. From FINA's constitution: C 7.2 The constitution and rules of a Member must not be in conflict with those of FINA. Where there is a conflict, FINA Rules shall prevail. C 7.3 Each Member shall acknowledge in its national rules that FINA is the only recognised body in the world which governs Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Synchronised Swimming, and Masters internationally.