My question is for Dave and Evan. Since both of you swim and direct open water events, what kind of safety protocals do you all have in place for your events?
Good question. Last year, I co-directed (with Rondi_Davies) 2 USMS sanctioned events. I won’t post the entire safety plan, communications plan, permit applications, etc, but I’m happy to outline a few details:
2 Bridges 5K and 2.5k
This swim course is a loop that travels clockwise around the eastern most stanchions of the Mid-Hudson Bridge and The Walkway Over the Hudson Bridge. One loop = 2.5k, 2 loops = 5k. It is a land entry from a concrete boat ramp with a floating start and a land finish. Average depth for the swim course is 40 - 50 feet, 3 buoys were set up at each stanchion to establish the course and respect the security zones of the bridges. The length of the course is +/- 1200 yards. and there is a separation zone of +/- 100 yards between the north and south lanes where we have a roaming jet skier. 10 kayakers are stationed at 100 yard intervals and mark the western extent of the course (swimmers keep the kayaks on their left as they are heading north). Kayakers all have marine radios, and whistles. We have a dedicated channel for event communications. West of the kayaks, motorized patrol boats close the course to recreational traffic. Several municipalities join forces here... Ulster County Sheriffs, Dutchess County Sheriffs, Poughkeepsie FD, Aux CG. Further west is the commercial shippoing zone. Rondi and I are in constant radio communication... I am on a zodiac roaming among the motorized boats, she is at the finish.
For a distressed swimmer, kayaks should be the first to assist. Then jetski if evacuation is necessary.
On land, we have an ambulance and EMT’s at the ready. The nearest hospital is about 7 minutes away.
My question is for Dave and Evan. Since both of you swim and direct open water events, what kind of safety protocals do you all have in place for your events?
Good question. Last year, I co-directed (with Rondi_Davies) 2 USMS sanctioned events. I won’t post the entire safety plan, communications plan, permit applications, etc, but I’m happy to outline a few details:
2 Bridges 5K and 2.5k
This swim course is a loop that travels clockwise around the eastern most stanchions of the Mid-Hudson Bridge and The Walkway Over the Hudson Bridge. One loop = 2.5k, 2 loops = 5k. It is a land entry from a concrete boat ramp with a floating start and a land finish. Average depth for the swim course is 40 - 50 feet, 3 buoys were set up at each stanchion to establish the course and respect the security zones of the bridges. The length of the course is +/- 1200 yards. and there is a separation zone of +/- 100 yards between the north and south lanes where we have a roaming jet skier. 10 kayakers are stationed at 100 yard intervals and mark the western extent of the course (swimmers keep the kayaks on their left as they are heading north). Kayakers all have marine radios, and whistles. We have a dedicated channel for event communications. West of the kayaks, motorized patrol boats close the course to recreational traffic. Several municipalities join forces here... Ulster County Sheriffs, Dutchess County Sheriffs, Poughkeepsie FD, Aux CG. Further west is the commercial shippoing zone. Rondi and I are in constant radio communication... I am on a zodiac roaming among the motorized boats, she is at the finish.
For a distressed swimmer, kayaks should be the first to assist. Then jetski if evacuation is necessary.
On land, we have an ambulance and EMT’s at the ready. The nearest hospital is about 7 minutes away.
