Ow sanctions beyond 2013

I think that the idea floated on the thread that shall not be named to categorize swims based on risk has a lot of merit. It seems that is a clear point of consensus there. USMS should develop this idea and use it to educate their prospective insurers on the actual levels of risk involved in different categories of open water events. It seems that presently USMS tells the insurer that they sanction X amount of open water swims each year when they negotiate a new policy. They should demonstrate that not all of the events they sanction carry the highest level of risk by recognizing them as such themselves. It seems the current paradigm encourages the insurance company to assume that all open water events carry the highest level of risk, that every event has 50 props spinning in close proximity to the swimmers. USMS needs to work to dispel this notion. Another idea floated over there was about training. That is another way that USMS can reduce risk in a way that they can demonstrate to a potential insurer. I know there is some controversy around the BSA, but their system of using required online training modules for volunteers is really cutting edge. Part of my teaching load is online, I am familiar with several online learning platforms. The methods the BSA use are really excellent. Every volunteer must take Safe Scouting before they can participate in any event as a leader. Then there are several dozen other modules that you can take if they interest you or if they are required for an event you wish to lead. For instance, you must take basic outdoor leadership before you can take scouts on a camping trip. You must take safety afloat if you want to lead a water based activity. There are many others. USMS could model that system, I can imagine that every escort, under motor power or paddle could have to take an Introduction to Supporting Open Water Swimmers module. Maybe if you want to escort distances over 10K you would have to take a Navigation/Nutrition Support module, again motor or paddle power. Then if you were to be a powerboat spotter you would have to take a module on Safety in Proximity to Swimmers. There could be a wide spectrum of trainings produced to suit a variety of events. The trick is keep them short and sweet. It would take a bit of doing, but if volunteers were registered, a la NYC swim, it would be easy to track their training.

I think that the idea floated on the thread that shall not be named to categorize swims based on risk has a lot of merit. It seems that is a clear point of consensus there. USMS should develop this idea and use it to educate their prospective insurers on the actual levels of risk involved in different categories of open water events. It seems that presently USMS tells the insurer that they sanction X amount of open water swims each year when they negotiate a new policy. They should demonstrate that not all of the events they sanction carry the highest level of risk by recognizing them as such themselves. It seems the current paradigm encourages the insurance company to assume that all open water events carry the highest level of risk, that every event has 50 props spinning in close proximity to the swimmers. USMS needs to work to dispel this notion. Another idea floated over there was about training. That is another way that USMS can reduce risk in a way that they can demonstrate to a potential insurer. I know there is some controversy around the BSA, but their system of using required online training modules for volunteers is really cutting edge. Part of my teaching load is online, I am familiar with several online learning platforms. The methods the BSA use are really excellent. Every volunteer must take Safe Scouting before they can participate in any event as a leader. Then there are several dozen other modules that you can take if they interest you or if they are required for an event you wish to lead. For instance, you must take basic outdoor leadership before you can take scouts on a camping trip. You must take safety afloat if you want to lead a water based activity. There are many others. USMS could model that system, I can imagine that every escort, under motor power or paddle could have to take an Introduction to Supporting Open Water Swimmers module. Maybe if you want to escort distances over 10K you would have to take a Navigation/Nutrition Support module, again motor or paddle power. Then if you were to be a powerboat spotter you would have to take a module on Safety in Proximity to Swimmers. There could be a wide spectrum of trainings produced to suit a variety of events. The trick is keep them short and sweet. It would take a bit of doing, but if volunteers were registered, a la NYC swim, it would be easy to track their training.