OWS Solo? (Page 2)

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...

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.

^^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.

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.

I'll see your avatar and raise you one. 

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.

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.

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

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.

Just don't do it at dawn or dusk when there is a higher possibility of sharks.