Open Water Source - The Global Home of Open Water Swimming     

PROTECTING ATHLETES

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Keynote Speaker

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Shelley Taylor-Smith, 7-time world professional marathon swimming champion and athlete advocate


Conference Coordinator

Steven Munatones, Editor-in-Chief, Daily News of Open Water Swimming
Steven Munatones, Editor-in-Chief, Daily News of Open Water Swimming

 
 

Conference Host

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Rob Butcher, Executive Director, U.S. Masters Swimming


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Protecting Athletes - Open Water Swimming Safety Conference (San Francisco)


Open Water Swimming Safety Conference

Protecting Athletes ... was the theme of the Open Water Swimming Safety Conference in San Francisco in March, 2011. Under the leadership of U.S. Master Swimming, U.S. Lifesaving Association experts, experienced administrators from Australia, Canada, Cayman Islands, Mexico, Bermuda, Japan, Great Britain and across America, and some of the world's top open water swimming and triathlon race directors discussed numerous timely topics.


Protecting Athletes - Open Water Swimming Safety Conference Summary

Pacific Masters Swimming and U.S. Masters Swimming are pleased to sponsor


The Open Water Swimming Safety Conference


Participants did the following:

·         identified potential problems in the open water
·         identified current issues in the sport
·         shared information, experiences and solutions
·         learned about equipment, protocols, procedures and policies
·         pinpointed proven and potential solutions
·         discussed the rules, regulations and traditions of the sport as it is currently practiced worldwide
·         documented a series of best practices used around the world
·         discussed proposals, including minimum and maximum water temperature ranges for all ages
·         described what-if scenarios, common injuries and tragic situations
·         networked with safety professionals, vendors and race directors from around the world


The goals of this conference were to help the sport understand how to best plan for and ensure safety in open water swims conducted in oceans, lakes and rivers for swimmers of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. 

Protecting Athletes: The Open Water Safety Conference brought together open water and triathlon event directors, administrators, medical personnel, military experts, researchers and athletes who discussed the best practices in the sport and case studies in risk management and open water event safety.


Conference Videos
(Hosted at www.usms.org)

1.   Introduction
Steve Munatones and Rob Butcher open up the conference. The Open Water Safety Conference was held March 19-20, 2011 in San Francisco.

2. Keynote Speaker
7-time world champion Shelley Taylor-Smith gives the keynote speech.

3. Chris Brewster
U.S. Lifesaving Association President Chris Brewster provides an overview from a lifesaving professional's point of view.

4. Ralph Goto
Ralph Goto, administrator from the Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division, city and county of Honolulu, provides an overview from a lifesaving professional's point of view.

5. Greg Buchanan
Lt. Greg Buchanan from the San Diego Lifeguard Services / San Diego Fire/Rescue provides an overview from a lifesaving professional's point of view.

6. Inherent Risks
The inherent risks of open water swimming, with Steve Munatones, Chris Sheean, Eric Juneau, Ralph Goto, Jim Wheeler.

7. Current Rules
Current rules and guidelines used in open water swimming, with Steve Munatones, Lynn Hazlewood, Shelly Taylor-Smith, John Dussliere, David Robinson, Marcia Cleveland.

8. Emergencies and Contingencies
Emergencies and contingencies, with Steve Munatones, Chris Brewster, Bob Placak, Kate Alexander, Capt. Brent Jacobsen, Dale Petranech, Mike Carr.

 





9. Safety in Ocean Swims
Steven Munatones, Kaia Hedlund, Malcolm Cooper, Lt. Greg Buchanan, Joel Wilson, Dale Petranech, Ralph Goto

10. Safety in Lake Swims
Steven Munatones, Chris Sheean, Karen Reeder, Lynn Hazlewood, Dick Sidner, David Robinson

11. Safety in Marathon Swims
Steven Munatones, Paul Asmuth, Shelley Taylor-Smith, Eric Juneau, John Dussliere, Marcia Cleveland

12. Safety in River Swims
Glenda Carroll, David Robinson, Lisa Hazen, Jim Wheeler, David Barra

13. Safety in Warm Water
Dr. Jim Miller, Ralph Goto, Liz Tucker

14. Safety in Cold Water
Dr. Jim Miller, Paul Asmuth, Eric Juneau, Marcia Cleveland

15. Equipment Used in Races
Steven Munatones, Bruce Wigo, Morty Berger, Dick Sidner, Bob Placak, Mike Carr, Chris Brewster, Liz Tucker

16. What Swimming Can Learn From Other Sports
Dr. Jim Miller, Bruce Wigo, Lt. Greg Buchanan, Capt. Brent Jacobsen, Jim Wheeler

17. Closing Speech: Maddy Crippen
Maddy Crippen from the Fran Crippen Elevation Foundation provides the closing speech for the conference.

Conference Schedule

Friday, March 18, 2011
7 - 9 pm: Conference Social

Saturday, March 19, 2011
8:00 am: Keynote Speech by Shelley Taylor-Smith
8:30 am: Setting The Stage by B. Chris Brewster
9:00 am: Session #1: The Inherent Risks of Open Water Swimming
10:00 am:  Session #2: Current Rules & Guidelines Used in Open Water Swimming
11:00 am: Session #3: Emergencies - What Happens When Disaster Strikes
1:30 pm: Case Study #1 Safety in Ocean Swims, Things to Consider
1:30 pm: Case Study #2 Safety in River Swims, Things to Consider
2:30 pm: Case Study #3 Safety in Lake Swims, Things to Consider
2:30 pm: Case Study #3 Safety in Cold Water, Things to Consider
3:30 pm: Case Study #4 Safety in Marathon Swims, Things to Consider
3:30 pm: Case Study #4 Safety in Warm Water, Things to Consider
4:30 pm: Session #4: Tools of the Trade - Equipment Used in Races
5:30 pm: Session #5: What Swimming Can Learn from Other Sports and Activities
7:00 pm: Closing Speech by Maddy Crippen of Fran Crippen Elevation Foundation

March 20, 2011
7:30 am: Optional Swim in Aquatic Park in San Francisco Bay
9:00 am: Summary of the Conference
11:00 am: A Blueprint for the Future - Recommendations


Conference Presenters

Sponsor:           Sponsored by U.S. Masters Swimming and Pacific Masters LMSC
Guests:             Shelly Taylor-Smith, 7-time World Marathon Swimming Champion
                           Rob Butcher, Executive Director, U.S. Masters Swimming
                            Maddy Crippen, Fran Crippen Elevation Foundation
                            Jim Wheeler, Total Aquatic Managment / Pacific Masters LMSC
                            Steven Munatones, Editor, Daily News of Open Water Swimming
                            Dr. Jim Miller, renowned open water swimming physician
                            Eric Juneau, General Manager, Traversée International du lac St-Jean
                            Paul Asmuth, 7-time World Professional Marathon Swimming Champion
                            Lawrie Cox, Board Director, Swimming Australia
                            Dale Petranech, International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame
                            Bruce Wigo, CEO, International Swimming Hall of Fame
                            Ralph Goto, City & County of Honolulu Ocean Safety & Lifeguard Srvs.
                            Kate Alexander, Safety Coordinator, Flowers Sea Swim (Cayman Islands)
                            B. Chris Brewster, President, U.S. Lifesaving Association
                            Chris Sheean, Race Director, Big Shoulders
                            Bob Placak and Mike Carr, Founder & Safety Officer, RCP Tiburon Mile
                            Captain Brent Jacobsen, Newport Beach Lifeguard / Fire Department
                            David Robinson, Aquatic Specialist, Somona County Regional Parks
                            Malcolm Cooper, Safety Officer, Maui Channel Swim
                            Marcia Cleveland, Author of Dover Solo
                            Lori Bosco, Race Director, Swim Around Key West
                            Kaia Hedlund, President, Waikiki Roughwater Swim Committee
                           Yutaka Shinozaki, Japan International Open Water Swimming Association
                            Lt. Greg Buchanan, San Diego Lifeguard Svc. / San Diego Fire Rescue
                            Joel Wilson, Race Director, Santa Cruz Cruise
                            Dick Sidner, Race Director, USMS National 25K Championships
                            John Dussliere, 2008 Olympic Open Water Swimming Coach
                            Rick Gould, US Lifesaving Association and Santa Cruz Roughwater Swim
                            Dean Jackson, Executive Vice President, blueseventy
                            Liz Tucker, Race Director Certification Manager, USA Triathlon
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Comprehensive Open Water Safety

B. Chris Brewster, President, U.S. Life Saving Association
B. Chris Brewster, President, U.S. Life Saving Association

Fran Crippen Elevation Foundation

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Maddy Crippen, Olympic swimmer

USMS Safety Advocate

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              Marcia Cleveland, Author of Dover Solo, and Marathon Swimmer


Hypothermia, Hydration Hyperthermia

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Dr. Jim Miller, FINA Sports Medicine Committee

RCP Tiburon Mile Founder

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Bob Placak, Founder & Race Director

Open Water Swimming

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Dale Petranech, former FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee member


River Swims & Equipment

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Morty Berger, President, NYC Swim

Lake Swim Safety

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Chris Sheean, Race Director
Big Shoulders 5K in Lake Michigan

Mass Participation Swims

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Kaia Hedlund, President, Waikiki Roughwater Swim


Participants Will Receive And Discuss Various Open Water Safety Documents




Sectioning of Race Course for Safety

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Where are the safety kayakers, paddlers, race officials and volunteers placed along the course for maximum benefit?  How do they communicate with each other?  These questions will be answered.


Race Videos... Actual Emergencies... Contingency Plans... Will be Shown & Discussed

Learn, discuss, debate and decide what is best for the athletes in the water

Marine Life

Jellyfish And Others

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What To Do?

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Protecting The Athletes

In Rivers

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In Packs

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From the lead front pack to the stragglers


From Escort Boats

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What to look for?  How many boats?  Where to position?

From Kayaks

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What to look for?  How many on course?  What to do in extreme situations?


How to Handle the Inherent Risks of Open Water Swimming?  Learn and discuss.

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Be Reasonable, Use Common Sense When Dealing With Mother Nature

Because the natural elements - both water and weather - are so dynamic and unpredictable, the ultimate safety of open water swimmers depends on rules and guidelines supported by common sense and a reasonable, flexible approach to safety that is properly determined by the race director, the race organization staff and local authorities (in the case of a race) or by the coach and pilot (in the case of a solo marathon swim).

Numbering of Athletes

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Positioning of Safety Personnel

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No blind spots.  Constant communications.

Night Sticks and Glow Sticks

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Identification of Personnel

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Safety personnel and course marshals should be easily identified by each other, the swimmers and the spectators at the competition.

The communication between the race director, course marshals and safety personnel should be convenient and easily performed through the use of radios or mobile phones.


Learn and Discuss What To Do In Worse-case Scenarios

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Knowledge of  the rules and terms used in the sport are very useful when providing safety services, especially when combined with an intimate knowledge of the body of water and the risks inherent in the sport.

Open Water Rules

Links to the rules, traditions, protocols and generally accepted procedures of the sport are shown below.  The rules include a description of the type and number of officials expected on the course to provide the minimum amount of officiating and safety.  While each official may have officiating duties, their primary responsibility is safety of the swimmers although the specific rules or descriptions may differ slightly from venue to venue, race to race, channel to channel and organization to organization. 

The rules of the English Channel, Catalina Channel, Hawaiian Islands, FINA professional marathon races, FINA world championships, the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim, Strait of Gibraltar, European open water races (LEN), International Paralympic competitions, Team Pursuit, USA Swimming and U.S. Masters Swimming are  posted and are updated frequently.

  • Click here for the U.S. Masters Swimming rules governing U.S. Masters Swimming sanctioned races and championship events.
  • Click here for the Channel Swimming Association rules governing the English Channel between England and France.
  • Click here for the Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation rules governing the English Channel between England and France.
  • Click here for the Catalina Channel and Swimming Federation rules governing the Catalina Channel.
  • Click here for the Strait of Asociacion de Cruce a Nado del Estrecho de Gibraltar (Gibraltar Strait Swimming Association) rules governing the Strait of Gibraltar between Spain and Morocco.
  • Click here for the FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation) rules governing all FINA competitions (FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix, FINA 10KM Marathon Swimming World Cup, World Swimming Championships, World Junior Open Water Swimming Championships, Olympics).
  • Click here for Team Pursuit rules governing races where a group of swimmers swim together from start to finish.
  • Click here for the LEN (Ligue Européenne de Natation) European Open Water Swimming Cup rules governing LEN races in Europe.
  • Click here for the International Paralympic Committee rules governing open water swimming competitions for physically and intellectually disabled athletes.
  • Click here for the Tsugaru Channel Swimming Association (津軽海峡遠泳協会) rules governing the Tsugaru Channel in Japan.
  • Click here for the USA Swimming rules governing USA Swimming sanctioned races and championship events.
  • Click here for the Hawaiian Islands Channel rules governing channel swims in the State of Hawaii.
  • Click here for the policies of the NYC Swim rules governing swims in and around Manhattan Island in New York City.
  • Click here for outlines of escorting open water swimmers with kayaks.

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