Open Water Swim: Alone?

Honestly, having someone else with you is basically worthless unless they are a good lifeguard.  The people I have swam with basically are there to tell my wife/rescuers where I went down.  Ideally you want a kayak or a form of floatation with you. 

I have swam alone but it is either close to shore or a small out and back course.  I swam saturday by myself.  I did not go more than 500m off shore and there were jetski's/ boats near and even some buoys I can grab on to.  I recently just order a swim safe devices so I can venture out more.  I don't care how good a swimmer you are things can happen.  My masters coach told me that Andy Potts (who is a great swimmer) had to deploy his swm-safe because he cramped bad.

I won't bore you with my story (ETA - basically same as Kenny's below), and don't take this the wrong way, but I don't think it's safe for someone that can't do 500 yds straight without resting to swim alone.  I think swimming alone under certain circumstances is OK, but only if you are a "very competent" swimmer

Just my ,02

+1

I find this topic interesting.  I've only ever OWS once, techinically alone, even though others were on shore.

I feel as if I'm a strong swimmer, albeit slow.

Now I swim with others, but as someone correctly pointed out, they're there to tell others where I went down.  If I go under, they're not gonna realize till they get to shore and I'm unaccounted for.

Frankly, I get more tense and worried riding my bike in traffic than swimming in open water that has no motor craft.

I think this topic has been discussed - check here

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=116833&start=1

Never ever swim alone!

OK I've said it, now let's move on to your question. I don't think you should swim in water over your head if you are swimming alone. You need a lot more experience before you take that on.

I am very experienced in the ocean, and have swam alone more often than I have swam with others. I am also a bit crazy when it comes to this topic. Over the years I have ventured into the wilderness many times, but my first experience was when I swam directly offshore for 1 mile. People should not do this, but they also should not go into the Alaskan wilderness by themselves (I also did that for 3 weeks). Swimming offshore by yourself is not about swimming, it's about adventure. You must be prepared to handle anything that comes up.

However, I did swim the 3 mile race in Seal Beach CA years ago. That was straight out 1 1/2 miles and back. Now that was about swimming. Racing shoulder to shoulder more than a mile offshore in the ocean. Now that's my kind of fun.

Thanks to all who replied and shared their experience.

Was hoping for a consensus of "...you should be fine". Clearly not the case, so thanks to you good folks I think I'll get a SwimAid and get closer to the shore line.

 Many thanks.

d

Once again I find myself whole heartedly agreeing with ChrisM's post above. If 500 yards if your best comfortable distance OWS alone is a very bad idea. Even with solid distance swimming in your bacvkground it would be an assumed high risk especially if the area is secluded.

Cheers