OWS Solo? (Page 2)
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2013-04-29 10:52 AM in reply to: #4718319 |
Elite 3277 Minnetonka | Subject: RE: OWS Solo? Chris.1333 - 2013-04-28 10:08 PM Video is obnoxious, but this is an option.
I have one of these and even use it in small training swims with others. It helps the fishing boats see us.. On a side note, you can put your Garmin in it and get a fairly accurate map of your swim... |
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2013-04-29 11:08 AM in reply to: #4718249 |
Veteran 214 , Nova Scotia | Subject: RE: OWS Solo? I use the ISOF, and then get someone (usually my very understanding wife) to walk along the beach while I swim parallel. If something does go wrong, I can float and wave, while she calls 911. When I group swim, we always have a safety number. The group doesn't watch itself, the safety person does. OWS alone is more dangerous than riding or running alone. If you get tired, sick, etc, you can't just stop and call for help from the side of the road or the nearest 7-11. |
2013-04-29 11:24 AM in reply to: #4719007 |
Sensei Sin City | Subject: RE: OWS Solo? If I'm going to advise anyone, of course I would say never swim alone. I have to be conservative if I'm going to provide guidance. However, that being said, I can't count the number of times I have swam or body surfed alone. I try to be safe (wife on the shore, wear my wetsuit, swim parallel and close to shore where I can stand up or there is a buoy line I can grab on to, etc). I know there are risks involved, and I'm willing to accept that. |
2013-04-29 11:26 AM in reply to: #4718475 |
New user 327 | Subject: RE: OWS Solo? Zero2Athlete - 2013-04-29 4:51 AM OWS with others just gives you a false sense of security. X2 Mostly what you get when you open water swim with a partner is someone to tell the recovery team where to look for your body. People typically drown silently and even if you were swimming within 10 feet of someone you probably wouldn't notice them drowning. |
2013-04-29 11:48 AM in reply to: #4719051 |
Pro 5361 | Subject: RE: OWS Solo? bufordt - 2013-04-29 9:26 AM Zero2Athlete - 2013-04-29 4:51 AM OWS with others just gives you a false sense of security. X2 Mostly what you get when you open water swim with a partner is someone to tell the recovery team where to look for your body. People typically drown silently and even if you were swimming within 10 feet of someone you probably wouldn't notice them drowning.^^x3 thank you. yes- OWS is certainly more dangerous. But a lot of things we do in life are dangerous. (er... as my avatar might indicate) If I'm at a beach with a lifeguard, I let them know what I'm doing and if I'm not back in 2 hrs to tell my wife I love her. I of course always tell someone where I'm going. Sure- I'd love to have someone in a kayak watching over me- but it's generally hard to organize that. I do have a friend that likes to paddleboard, and we've talked about going out together. I'm a strong swimmer and very comfortable in the water. |
2013-04-29 11:48 AM in reply to: #4718249 |
Extreme Veteran 968 Cape Coral, FL | Subject: RE: OWS Solo? I haven't done any OWS yet but I live on a deep water canal near the end and boats never come down this far. The good thing is it's only about 100 feet across but when I do try it I will pick up one of those ISHOF SafeSimmer things. |
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2013-04-29 11:53 AM in reply to: #4719101 |
Master 2167 Livonia, MI | Subject: RE: OWS Solo? morey000 - 2013-04-29 12:48 PM bufordt - 2013-04-29 9:26 AM Zero2Athlete - 2013-04-29 4:51 AM OWS with others just gives you a false sense of security. X2 Mostly what you get when you open water swim with a partner is someone to tell the recovery team where to look for your body. People typically drown silently and even if you were swimming within 10 feet of someone you probably wouldn't notice them drowning.^^x3 thank you. yes- OWS is certainly more dangerous. But a lot of things we do in life are dangerous. (er... as my avatar might indicate) If I'm at a beach with a lifeguard, I let them know what I'm doing and if I'm not back in 2 hrs to tell my wife I love her. I of course always tell someone where I'm going. Sure- I'd love to have someone in a kayak watching over me- but it's generally hard to organize that. I do have a friend that likes to paddleboard, and we've talked about going out together. I'm a strong swimmer and very comfortable in the water. x4, Zero2 is right on. It's one thing if you swim with a buddy sitting on shore or in a kayak watching you the entire time, but it's tough enough scheduling workouts let alone workouts with a babysitter. If you swim alone, just be very smart about it. The risk of drowning is there regardless if you're alone, with a person or with 100 people but you just have to figure out every way you can minimize risk. |
2013-04-29 9:31 PM in reply to: #4718503 |
Extreme Veteran 643 , Guam | Subject: RE: OWS Solo? I live in Miami and OW swim at Tri Beach where many other tri people swim every day. Boaters and beach goers are aware we are out there. I have years and years of solo ocean freediving experience and great respect for the water. IMO, the best way to become comfortable in the OW (any many others things) is to do it very, very frequently. I try to OW swim 1mile every other day. I prefer to OW swim solo. Edited by spearit 2013-04-29 9:33 PM |
2013-04-29 9:50 PM in reply to: #4718249 |
New user 44 Johnson Creek | Subject: RE: OWS Solo? I certainly understand risk as a motorcycle roadracer (my avatar). But, I am an experienced roadracer, and never race alone! I am not an excellent swimmer. But, I do all of my other training alone and don't really have any friends that are into this lifestyle. I just don't know anyone I'd feel comfortable asking to hang out while I do it. I will try to think about a safe/r location to swim if I can't set up a swim partner/spotter. |
2013-04-30 8:29 AM in reply to: #4718249 |
Expert 1187 Ontario | Subject: RE: OWS Solo? I have a SwimSafe to wear when I OWS alone |
2013-04-30 2:26 PM in reply to: #4718249 |
New user 433 | Subject: RE: OWS Solo? I will swim OWS solo. I've done group OWS, small 2-3 people, to 25. I've done 1-1 swims. In all cases, I felt I was watching out for others versus them watching out for me. Unless the person swims right next to you and sights you, they won't know you need help. I can't hear anything if I'm wearing a swim cap, especially with the gurgling of OWS swimming..lake noises. I swam with one guy who basically swam with a wet suit and took off, I didn't have one so went slower for safety. Every 100m he would turn to see if I'm still alive. I only swim with a pool noodle (bright green one) and a bungie cord to my ankle. I can count on the pool noodle to save me versus other swimmers. Also, it makes a nice resting platform in deep lake water. I know people who only swim next to shore...but in the summer this shallow water gets hot. It is easy to get cramps or dehyradated. |
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2013-04-30 3:43 PM in reply to: #4720059 |
Pro 5361 | Subject: RE: OWS Solo? Tanya530 - 2013-04-29 7:50 PM I certainly understand risk as a motorcycle roadracer (my avatar). I'll see your avatar and raise you one. |
2013-04-30 4:18 PM in reply to: #4718249 |
Master 1517 Grand Prairie | Subject: RE: OWS Solo? I have a IHOF safe swimmer too and never leave without it. For once I can put my keys in it (and someone stealing my keys/wallet is my biggest concern when swimming) and second I am seen better, not to mention that you can float on it if you are doing a group swim and wait for others. I haven't OWS alone, but I have a hard time seeing the true safety a group will give you. I mean by the time someone realizes you are missing, it's most likely too late.
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2013-04-30 6:20 PM in reply to: #4718249 |
Master 2177 | Subject: RE: OWS Solo? I've only been brave enough to swim alone here: Just outside that buoyed line it gets nice and choppy, good swells sometimes too. Good place to practice swimming in such conditions, but it's pretty safe. Edited by Blanda 2013-04-30 6:20 PM |
2013-04-30 6:23 PM in reply to: #4718249 |
Subject: RE: OWS Solo? I don't recommend it but I've done it. Last summer I was training for a 10K on vacation in HI and did a lot of solo, 2 hour swims. It was pretty freaky Especially a week later when I saw a large tiger shark off the stern of the boat we were diving from, just around the corner from dig me beach where I had been swimming |
2013-04-30 6:39 PM in reply to: #4718249 |
Master 2477 Oceanside, California | Subject: RE: OWS Solo? I do it where I am swimming solo. However, I am never near an isolated area. There are always people around. I just bought one of those buoy things, but haven't used it yet. |
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2013-04-30 6:44 PM in reply to: #4718249 |
Veteran 2441 Western Australia | Subject: RE: OWS Solo? Sometimes you have no choice, its swim alone or don't swim. If you are alone the maybe walk in up to waist height in the water and swim parallel to the sore line, this means that you can very easily stand up if you need to but the water is deep enough to swim in. Just don't do it at dawn or dusk when there is a higher possibility of sharks. |
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