Would you swim in this?
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Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller | Reply |
2013-10-10 8:58 PM |
Veteran 363 Ft. Myers, Florida | Subject: Would you swim in this? I live on the southern Gulf Coast in Florida, and ever since the oil spill, the Gulf of Mexico has been a pretty scary place to live near. We didn't get near the affects that the northern Gulf Coast has gotten, but thanks to an untold number of issues, our area of water is in pretty bad shape. It's really sad. The latest incident to crop up is this lovely flesh eating bacteria that can easily get into your blood-stream via the tinest cut anywhere on your body and cause the loss of limbs and even death. (Seven people have died from the bacteria and one woman lost a leg to it in the last 2 years!!!) However, like every good government agency, the "higher-ups" that determine water quality etc. have stated that there is a "very rare threat" for loss of life or limb to this new and lovely bacteria. The water in the Gulf in our area looks like liquid rust most of the time, masses of marine kills have washed up on our shores repeatedly, and now people are dying just from swimming in the Gulf. But, according to the "popular data" the water is safe to swim in, and no warnings have been issued against swimming. So this begs the question: What would you do??? Let me preface this by saying I do work in the media as a local television news director, so I am bombarded with this type of news 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. I direct news for our local ABC & NBC news stations here and this is a major hot topic in our newsroom, so I can't help but feel surrounded by this scary intel on a regular basis. So I am asking all of you good and objective people out there: what would you do if you knew that your local open water swim location could be potentially leathal? I have a sprint race that I am contemplating doing come Jan. and the swim is in the Gulf of Mexico. But now I have some real reservations about doing this swim. How many of you would just go ahead and do the race, including the swim, and not worry about it? And how many of you would feel the risk isn't worth it? And I'll go even one step further...how many of you would even go so far as to do a couple of training swims in this water, also? I'm really interested in what all you think of this. thank you in advance for your input. |
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2013-10-10 9:02 PM in reply to: cafenervosa |
2013-10-10 9:43 PM in reply to: Left Brain |
Veteran 363 Ft. Myers, Florida | Subject: RE: Would you swim in this? LOL thank you for the input, btw.... I love your avatar!!! |
2013-10-10 9:54 PM in reply to: cafenervosa |
Veteran 294 Mission Viejo, | Subject: RE: Would you swim in this? I'm with Brain on that one, no thanks, not worth it! |
2013-10-10 9:59 PM in reply to: cafenervosa |
191 Melbourne, Florida | Subject: RE: Would you swim in this? From 2006 through 2008, I was the Vice Chairman and Chapter Chairman for the Sebastian Inlet chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. The Surfrider Foundation makes large strides to ensure that beaches, waters, and oceans are accessible and clean for everyone to enjoy. So don't expect me to guide you in the way of the careless oil, waste, or power industries. I subscribe to the FWC's email list. With that I receive weekly water quality reports. We, on the Space Coast, have received the most affected water concerns. However, unless you're a small fish, you're still pretty safe in the Indian River Lagoon. SWF is far from any pollution issues. The flesh-eating bacteria cases happened in my area, but I still swim in the river with new cuts and all. The small gash that I had on my hand during the last tri (in the same week that the report of the two fishermen that were infected in the same river) has fully healed and I'm still healthy. |
2013-10-10 10:04 PM in reply to: vertseven |
Pro 15655 | Subject: RE: Would you swim in this? Originally posted by vertseven From 2006 through 2008, I was the Vice Chairman and Chapter Chairman for the Sebastian Inlet chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. The Surfrider Foundation makes large strides to ensure that beaches, waters, and oceans are accessible and clean for everyone to enjoy. So don't expect me to guide you in the way of the careless oil, waste, or power industries. I subscribe to the FWC's email list. With that I receive weekly water quality reports. We, on the Space Coast, have received the most affected water concerns. However, unless you're a small fish, you're still pretty safe in the Indian River Lagoon. SWF is far from any pollution issues. The flesh-eating bacteria cases happened in my area, but I still swim in the river with new cuts and all. The small gash that I had on my hand during the last tri (in the same week that the report of the two fishermen that were infected in the same river) has fully healed and I'm still healthy. OK, Chief Brody. |
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2013-10-10 10:21 PM in reply to: vertseven |
Expert 2192 Greenville, SC | Subject: RE: Would you swim in this? Originally posted by vertseven The flesh-eating bacteria cases happened in my area, but I still swim in the river with new cuts and all. The small gash that I had on my hand during the last tri (in the same week that the report of the two fishermen that were infected in the same river) has fully healed and I'm still healthy. some are just a little more hardcore than the rest. |
2013-10-11 12:28 AM in reply to: Left Brain |
128 , California | Subject: RE: Would you swim in this? Originally posted by Left Brain> OK, Chief Brody. Bahahahahaha |
2013-10-11 7:26 AM in reply to: cafenervosa |
Regular 129 | Subject: RE: Would you swim in this? Really? 7 people in 2 years???? How many people are using the Gulf on a regular basis? Come on. I live here as well (Ft. Myers), and swim the gulf regularly (Bowditch Point- Ft. Myers Beach). Yes, if I had an open wound I am swimming, anywhere, a pool , the gulf. Are you swimming in rain runoff ditches, like the kid in Lehigh? Paranoia. Chances are far more likely to have a run in with a snowbird that is not paying attention on a run or ride. |
2013-10-11 7:55 AM in reply to: cafenervosa |
Champion 7136 Knoxville area | Subject: RE: Would you swim in this? well, this is certainly more dangerous to the average triathlete than a brain eating amoeba... |
2013-10-11 8:02 AM in reply to: isyphoto |
Regular 129 | Subject: RE: Would you swim in this? Originally posted by isyphoto Really? 7 people in 2 years???? How many people are using the Gulf on a regular basis? Come on. I live here as well (Ft. Myers), and swim the gulf regularly (Bowditch Point- Ft. Myers Beach). Yes, if I had an open wound I am swimming, anywhere, a pool , the gulf. Are you swimming in rain runoff ditches, like the kid in Lehigh? Paranoia. Chances are far more likely to have a run in with a snowbird that is not paying attention on a run or ride. Make that NOT swimming anywhere, nice typo on my part... |
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2013-10-11 8:07 AM in reply to: Leegoocrap |
Expert 1051 Bradenton, Florida | Subject: RE: Would you swim in this? I'm 2 hours north of you in the Bradenton/Sarasota area and our beaches are great. I've got a race next weekend with an OWS in a small inlet just off the Gulf. No way I'm skipping my last race of the season. Besides, like someone else pointed out, there is a greater chance I'll get hit by a Snowbird before I ever make it to the water. |
2013-10-11 8:57 AM in reply to: cafenervosa |
Champion 7036 Sarasota, FL | Subject: RE: Would you swim in this? Originally posted by cafenervosaThe water in the Gulf in our area looks like liquid rust most of the time, masses of marine kills have washed up on our shores repeatedly, and now people are dying just from swimming in the Gulf. What are you guys doing down there in Fort Meyers, flushing your toilets and dumping your garbage into the Gulf? Like Chris, I'm an hour north in Sarasota and our beaches are clean and the water is clear. No qualms at all about swimming in it. Biggest danger here right now is that it's sting ray season and a number of folks have been stung by stepping on them in shallow water. The worst water polution problem here is probably when all the triathletes are taking their pre-race pee while warming up. Mark
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2013-10-11 9:23 AM in reply to: RedCorvette |
Regular 129 | Subject: RE: Would you swim in this? The "rust" color is the Lake O' water releases into the gulf...just like every year. Yes, this year it was a little worse, but the issue is being overblown. |
2013-10-11 9:48 AM in reply to: cafenervosa |
Pro 5361 | Subject: RE: Would you swim in this? Yeah- more likely that you'll get creamed by a snowbird while riding your bike. and 'two points' for Left Brain's "Chief Brody" line. (the young ones on the forum may need to look this up. hint: Jaws) |
2013-10-11 11:15 AM in reply to: RedCorvette |
Expert 2373 Floriduh | Subject: RE: Would you swim in this? Originally posted by RedCorvette The worst water polution (sic) problem here is probably when all the triathletes are taking their pre-race pee while warming up. Bingo |
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2013-10-11 12:17 PM in reply to: Leegoocrap |
Veteran 2842 Austin, Texas | Subject: RE: Would you swim in this? Originally posted by Leegoocrap well, this is certainly more dangerous to the average triathlete than a brain eating amoeba... My sister was terribly concerned about my swimming in Walden Pond after reading an article on this. Hope she's as wrong as I think I'm right.
Matt |
2013-10-11 1:39 PM in reply to: cafenervosa |
Master 1681 Rural Ontario | Subject: RE: Would you swim in this? Drill, Baby, Drill! |
2013-10-11 4:42 PM in reply to: cafenervosa |
1055 | Subject: RE: Would you swim in this? If I had to guess, by far, the biggest risk from swimming in your area is drowning, not getting a virus. -Mark |
2013-10-12 5:16 AM in reply to: ziggie204 |
Expert 977 | Subject: RE: Would you swim in this? I live here too and I can't believe you are worried about this. There are people in the gulf everyday. I too swim off of Bowditch Point with no issues. I have never given it a thought, even with the flow from the lake. I can't imagine worrying about stuff like this, I'd never do anything, including driving to work let alone go out riding. And I assume you are talking about the HITS race in January. Go and have fun! Duane |
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