Is there a safe maximum water temperature for competitive swimming?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the safety concerns regarding water temperature for competitive swimming, particularly in open-water events. Participants highlighted that a water temperature of 84 degrees Fahrenheit is excessively warm for competitive swimming, leading to risks of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The cancellation of a 15km open water event in the UAE due to swimmer complaints underscores the need for FINA to establish a maximum allowable temperature for competitions. The consensus is that optimal practice temperatures range from 76 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit, with 84 degrees being suitable only for leisure swimming.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of competitive swimming regulations and safety standards.
  • Knowledge of heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
  • Familiarity with FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation) guidelines.
  • Experience in open-water swimming dynamics and safety protocols.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research FINA's current regulations on water temperature limits for competitive swimming.
  • Learn about heat management strategies for athletes in endurance sports.
  • Investigate the implementation of safety measures, such as spotters, in open-water competitions.
  • Explore best practices for training in varying water temperatures for competitive swimmers.
USEFUL FOR

Competitive swimmers, coaches, sports safety officials, and event organizers who are involved in managing swimming competitions and athlete safety.

mugaliens
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http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=ap-swimmerdies" .

I wasn't much of a competitive swimmer, but I was on the swim team and swam my share of laps, both as a kid, in high school, throughout college, and 25 years later this summer at the gym.

They said the water was 84 degrees F. I don't know about you, but if the water is about about 80 deg F, I get overheated while swimming laps. When we used to fire up the water heater in our backyard pool on a rainy day, 84 deg was enough to make it very cozy, and definitely steaming, and that was in the deep South!

84 degrees doesn't provide enough cooling for a human body in great shape from overheating. There's no valid coroner finding of "overexertion." It's either "heat exhaustion" or "heat stroke," and if it's either, particular with others who were complaining of swollen limbs, water loss, and confusion, all clear signs of overheating, then the water temp was simply too warm for competition, particularly for a 15k open-water race.

As a former Red Cross Water Safety Instructor, I fully support any measures FINA might make towards setting a maximum allowable temperature for competitive events.

"Swimming officials in the UAE canceled the 15km open water event which was scheduled to be held Wednesday at the same location, with swimmers having expressed concerns."​

Good for the UAE officials! Bad on FINA.
 
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I'd be uncomfortable swimming competitively at that temperature - way too hot! I used to swim almost daily and it's a terrible feeling to overheat in the water. When it would happen, I couldn't get out of the water fast enough. Poor guy.
 
We always practiced at 76-78 degrees with 78 being sufficient for all but the most intense sprint workouts. I wouldn't want to be swimming for practice or competition at 80.

84 degrees is about perfect for lounging in a backyard pool with little to no activity.
 
When I read about that incident, two things came to mind. First, the water temperature issue, which is already discussed here. The second was the lack of "spotters" for the athletes. It wouldn't be too hard to notice an athlete floundering and rescue them in time in a closed pool, but in open water competition, the athletes don't exactly have a place they can get to if they feel they are getting into trouble to quickly get out of the water. I'm surprised they don't have spotters in boats for each athlete or small groups of athletes who can get to them and pull them out of the water at any sign of distress. It was disturbing to me that it took two hours for anyone to find the body and the only way they knew he was in trouble was when he didn't finish the race.