Triathalon swim deaths 2008 rising. What is going on?

I'd be curious to see how many deaths occurred on the bike leg and running leg over the same period of time. Could it be that if people see someone blue in the face and keel over running or cycling they would have a chance to help where in swimming it all goes unnoticed. That is not to discount the anxiety level many triathletes experience in the water. As for the risks of open water swimming (even alone) I have always said that I am FAR FAR more likely to get killed or injured in the drive to the water than while swimming there.

An article I read in this morning's paper reminded me of this thread, so I'm bumping it back up, hoping for some opinions. www3.signonsandiego.com/.../ Story of his race and health issues aside, this point jumped out at me, which could be a contributing factor to the initial title of this thread--rising numbers of deaths in triathletes: **Following a 2.4-mile swim in Tempe Town Lake, Lopez took a moment to relax while the other competitors scrambled to get out of their wet suits and into their cycling gear. “Something that Dr. FitzGerald (said) was, 'When you come out of the swim, your heart rate is going to be really, really high and I don't want you to go out on the bike course like that,' ” Lopez said. Though he would feel strong after his swim, it would not be good for Lopez to sustain that heart rate without a short cooling down period, FitzGerald advised.** This athlete has a heart condition so the above advice would be warranted. But aside from the obvious challenge of winning the race, wouldn't the advice be prudent for everyone? Are there any triathletes who post here who do follow this advice, or something similar as they plan their race, and how would it affect the next leg? I would think that getting some rest between legs would help you go even faster on the next leg, therefore "breaking even" on your time/place?

I find the advice surprising. Of the 3 sports I believe my heart rate is the lowest in the swim. Although I admit I've never checked it during a race, it is the lowest of the 3 during training. I suppose if I'm swimming nude at 58 degrees it might be high, but I wear a wetsuit when I do triathlons. Many triathletes are, frankly, poor swimmers. This is not for want of their lack of effort. It's just that so many do not come from a swimming background, or rather they come from a non-swimming background.

Alot of it is stupidity mixed with greed by race directors. last summer I did a race where the wave was way too big for the amount of space allowed..just stupid and takes the fun out of the race. I think with this economy we will see that Tris are probably going to peak in numbers. I know when gas was out of site last summer I cut way back...14 years of Triathlon.:bed:

Alot of it is stupidity mixed with greed by race directors. last summer I did a race where the wave was way too big for the amount of space allowed..just stupid and takes the fun out of the race. I think with this economy we will see that Tris are probably going to peak in numbers. I know when gas was out of site last summer I cut way back...14 years of Triathlon.:bed: chefster, nice vids. i think i'll try the popcorn from hell later.

...Many triathletes are, frankly, poor swimmers. This is not for want of their lack of effort. It's just that so many do not come from a swimming background, or rather they come from a non-swimming background. Most people are poor swimmers, even those who have (like me) had years of childhood swim lessons. People who have had the benefit of a swim racing background make up a really small percentage of the population. Something has to change in the way that swimming is taught. It should not be necessary to have belonged to a competitive club for years on end to be able to swim comfortably for just a mile or so in open water. And yes, the wetsuits are probably part of it. I did a race near Vancouver on a warm July day when the water was just comfortable for a swimsuit and was surprised to see so many wetsuits, and even more surprised that I was able to pass some of them. I have some triathlete friends who are slower than me in the pool, but faster in wetsuits, so the people I passed must have been very poor swimmers without.

As an OW swimmer who has given-back by volunteering as a kayaker, I've seen first-hand what happens when people jump into open water (like the Hudson) and can't swim. I have rescued some, have watched amazed as others have floated, flailed, or walked their way to the finish. (Walked. Don't get me started). There are many fine swimmers competing out there too, but there are also many who aren't prepared adequately. I was kayaking last year during the 2008 NYC tri, when a young and healthy man died unexplainably during the swim portion, a horrible tragedy that has haunted those who tried to save him, and hearing all the buzz this is the conclusions I've reached: 1) Triathlete organizers need to require some experience with swimming and open water, preferably both 2) Triathletes should learn how to swim without wetsuits in open water It was an EXTREMELY hot day last year. There are some who theorize that the constriction of the wetsuit plus the heat plus adrenaline might have caused the heart to overwork in an extreme way, causing heart failure. So wetsuits may not only be for wusses (oops, sorry, they don't call me the ice-water commando for nothing) but might actually be hazardous to your health...

The latest on this issue. news.yahoo.com/.../med_triathlon_heart_risks The rate for triathletes is far higher — 15 out of a million, the new study shows. Almost all occurred during the swim portion, usually the first event.

news.yahoo.com/.../med_triathlon_heart_risks Ken, Saw that too.. I wonder what USMS' Open Water Participant Mortality Rate is... The article referenced clearly points to an issue with people swimming that shouldn't be swimming. If these tri first timers were smarter about their training, they'd try a longer, possibly OW swim-only event before taking the deeper plunge and adding a bike and run to it. That may open their eyes (and constricted blood vessels) to a need to work at swimming more so that USAT didn't have to haul their carcasses out of lakes later on. Unfortunately, this is a good example of survival of the fittest (and fittest in the fitness sense can also apply here). I don't think anyone has died in 25+ years of the bay swim (not a USMS race). They have some controls in place to limit this situation so that if you're not fit to swim the race, you aren't going to be allowed to swim. The article did not point out the length of the races where the deaths occurred, but perhaps USAT could take a page from Lin-Mark's Bay Swim book and for events of Olympic distance or greater (assuming that is where the majority of deaths occur) require proof of completion of a swim-only event of 1 mile or greater. Perhaps this is where USMS can lend a hand.

Ken, Saw that too.. I wonder what USMS' Open Water Participant Mortality Rate is... The article referenced clearly points to an issue with people swimming that shouldn't be swimming. ... perhaps USAT could take a page from Lin-Mark's Bay Swim book and for events of Olympic distance or greater (assuming that is where the majority of deaths occur) require proof of completion of a swim-only event of 1 mile or greater. Perhaps this is where USMS can lend a hand. This strikes me as potentially a worthy public service effort from USMS. The affililation or advice-giving would have to be for guidance purposes only (to avoid liability). As a side benefit, it would probably do much more to raise public awareness of USMS than trawling for graduating seniors at meets. Imagine the next article on tri deaths during swimming ALSO mentioning that "US Masters Swimming encourages proof of completion of a swim under conditions approximating those of the planned event, and in some states has worked with triathlon directors to establish programs for demonstrating proficiency." How does this idea get passed on to board of directors? Should it be implemented by state LMSCs before it is implemented at a national level? One of the local swim schools has undertaken tri-specific swim classes. They are swamped. The need is there.