Is there a safe maximum water temperature for competitive swimming?

  • Context: Medical 
  • Thread starter Thread starter mugaliens
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the safety of maximum water temperatures for competitive swimming, particularly in the context of a recent incident during a 15km open-water race. Participants share personal experiences and opinions regarding optimal water temperatures for swimming, as well as concerns about athlete safety in competitive environments.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Experiential accounts
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express discomfort with water temperatures around 84 degrees F, citing experiences of overheating while swimming competitively.
  • One participant notes that while 84 degrees may be suitable for leisure swimming, it is not appropriate for competitive events due to the risk of heat-related illnesses.
  • Another participant mentions that their training typically occurred at temperatures between 76-78 degrees F, suggesting that these are more suitable for practice and competition.
  • A concern is raised about the lack of safety measures, such as spotters for athletes in open water, which could help in emergencies.
  • Participants reference a specific incident where athletes expressed concerns about water temperature prior to a canceled event, indicating a need for regulatory measures regarding maximum allowable temperatures.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that temperatures around 84 degrees F are too high for competitive swimming, but there is no consensus on what the safe maximum temperature should be. Concerns about athlete safety and the need for better monitoring during events are also discussed, but opinions on solutions vary.

Contextual Notes

Participants' views are based on personal experiences and observations, and there are no formal guidelines or consensus on maximum water temperatures for competitive swimming mentioned in the discussion.

mugaliens
Messages
197
Reaction score
1
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.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Biology news on Phys.org
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.