Of all the open water swims around the world, is there a race where there is a maximum allowable water temperature? If so (or if not), what is the scientific information or medical guidelines for a maximum allowable water temperature for open water swims (non-wetsuit)?
Former Member
jadie - for example, I understand the need for kayak escorts in some cases but as a swimmer that has participated an open water swims as destination events, I would rather not pay for a kayak or vessel escort unless I consider it necessary...
I participated in several events requiring kayak support - sometimes they were simply good sense, e.g Pennock Island 8-Mile Swim... others superfluous, e.g. Lake Travis Dam 5K
How should all saltwater open waters react if a participant is taken by a shark? in a sense, the appropriate reaction might be NO open water events in saltwater... as a proponent of open water swims, seems like closing all beaches might be appropriate too!
it likely would have been helpful to participants at the recent FINA event if there had been mandatory water stops... swimmer condition could have been assessed at each water stop - however this doesn't seem much like a race.
It isn't presumptious to think Fran would like to be with us... his family would like him with us. I believe too that Fran, and all of us, swim at our own risks - several actions ought to be considered to reduce risks - but these are dependent on swim length, distance from shore, wind conditions & chop, and water & air temperatures.
there are many more parameters impacting success, e.g. athlete'e conditioning, but firstly we all must realize we swim at our own risks.
the persons responsible for implementing new regulations will mostly have zero swimming and open water experience - it will be legislators and liability insurance issues - ultimately the final outcome is we will have fewer, and more expensive, open water swim races.
I agree that while perhaps there should be upper and lower limits on water temps, re warm water at least: air temperature must ALSO be a factor. When swimming, the effects of the sun are no less and even more than when not in the water. During a 21k swim in Lake Tiberias in June, one guy suffered headaches until he donned a swimming cap, and protected his head from the sun.
The signs of heat exhaustion are known among runners, but as it's apparently less common among swimmers, it's apparently less recognized. When someone suffers heat exhaustion, they lose their sense of judgement and it's up to people around them to pull them out of the race and provide treatment. I understand the same is true of hypothermia. And both situations can lead to permanent damage and/or death if not caught and treated in time.
Any race in extreme conditions hot or cold, should have extra help on land and water to identify and aid those who for whatever reasons can't deal with the extreme conditions.
I have participated in many activities over the years. All of them had different levels of risk. Athletes are entitled to a reasonably safe safe environment to compete, but what is reasonably safe in one environment (a pool) is significantly different from another environment (Pipeline surf competition - ok so I never did that one). When I climb in the mountains I assessed risk and made my decisions accordingly. When I would go out in the wilderness alone in a national park I assessed the conditions and made a decision to go. I didn't want the national park telling me I couldn't. But I did my homework, assessed the risk and decided if I could manage the risk. I could not eliminate all of it but I could reduce risk.
In a race where you are relying on organizers to provide a certain level of safety, they should be held to their responsibility. So the question is what level is that. If you are racing in open water in the ocean you have to expect the possibility of jellyfish & sharks. There is nothing the organizers can do about that. But if the organizers announce that they have people stationed around the course and if you have problems just raise your hand and someone will come to your assistance, and then don't, well they failed in their duty. The swimmer relied on their presence when assessing risk, and justifiably so. If someone goes under and the organizers don't see them, then the presumption is they have failed to put in place the level of protection that they agreed to assume, and which the swimmers relied on. That's negligence plain and simple.
That is a great message. The word reasonable will likely get a new definition. Every post makes great points. This will be a difficult journey for all involved, and I would hope they would seek the council of open water experts.
Well, according to our boat captain, the water temp at the official "Swim around Key West" in June was 91. I would NOT recommend that to anyone! I did only 4.5 mile on a 3-man relay.....I could not wait to get out. I don't know how the solo swimmers did it, I really don't. Most of my OW swims are in 80-86 here in the SE.
I swam the solo, and I have to say that whatever the water temp was it should be considered beyond the range of what is allowable for a multi-hour competition. I thought the temp was higher than 91, though, that number seems a bit low but you measure was probably more official than the temps that were quoted to me. I experienced heat exhaustion symptoms around mile 10. I can easily see how someone might pass out under those conditions.
Hypothermia and afterdrop following open water swimming: The Alcatraz/San Francisco swim study*1
Thomas J. Nuckton MD*, David M. Claman MD*, Daniel Goldreich PhD†, Frederick C. Wendt MD* and John G. Nuckton MD*
From the *Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; and the Rangos School of Health Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA.
Received 19 November 1999;
revised 3 January 2000.
Available online 22 May 2002.
Abstract
To determine whether or not participants in open water swim events experience hypothermia and afterdrop, rectal temperature was measured for up to 45 minutes in 11 subjects following the New Year's Day Alcatraz Swim. This event was held in open water (11.7°C ) in the San Francisco Bay, and participants did not wear wetsuits or other protective clothing. Biophysical parameters, including surface/volume ratio, body mass index, and percent body fat were measured before the swim, and statistical analysis was done to determine predictors of temperature decrease and afterdrop duration. Applying the American Heart Association definition of hypothermia (less than 36.0°C ), hypothermia was seen in 5 of the 11 subjects. Using a more rigorous and traditional definition (less than 35.0°C ), hypothermia was seen in only one subject. Afterdrop, defined as continued cooling following removal from cold stress, was seen in 10 of the 11 subjects. Surface/volume ratio (S/V) and body mass index (BMI) predicted the lowest recorded temperatures (P
Hypothermia Is a Significant Medical Risk of Mass Participation Long-Distance Open Water Swimming
Domhnall Brannigan MBBCh, BAO BA1, 1, Ian R. Rogers MBBS, FACEM1, 1, Ian Jacobs PhD, FRCNA2, 1, www.sciencedirect.com/.../REcor.gif, www.sciencedirect.com/.../REemail.gif, Amanda Montgomery MBBS1, 1, Aled Williams MBBS, FACEM1, 1 and Nicole Khangure MBBS1, 1
1 Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
2 Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, University of Western Australia
Available online 8 February 2010.
Objective
To document the prevalence of hypothermia in a mass participation endurance open water swimming event and to determine demographic and individual factors that may predict failure to finish the race and hypothermia.
Methods
A prospective observational study in competitors in a 19.2-km open water swimming race in Perth, Western Australia. Pre-race information collected included age, sex, training and race experience, medical history, and body mass index (BMI). Body temperatures at 5 minutes postrace were measured using an equilibrated oral- or rectal-reading low-range glass mercury thermometer. Logistic regression was used to develop models predicting hypothermia (defined as a temperature of
