Swimmers needn't fear the open water
Submitted by admin on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 18:40
This is an excerpt from an upcoming book, Open Water Swimming. It's published with permission of Human Kinetics.
Veterans of open water swimming know to expect the unexpected in the open sea. But for those new to the sport, the open water can be frightening. Steven Munatones, author of the upcoming Open Water Swimming (Human Kinetics, June 2011), says open water swimmers must learn to accept the conditions of the sea and, rather than experience apprehension, welcome the challenge.
"Although it is not always possible to overcome all your fears of the open water, you can certainly minimize many of these through training, anticipation, and preparation," says Munatones.
In Open Water Swimming, Munatones discusses the most common elements that swimmers will encounter and how to be prepared for any circumstance.
Swimming in saltwater. Swimming for long periods in saltwater can cause a person's tongue to swell and feel different, but gargling with mouthwash or a mixture of water and mouthwash can help alleviate the sensation. "Occasionally, if you swim for very long periods in very salty water, you will temporarily lose the taste sensation in your tongue," Munatones says. "This is normal, and the sensation will soon return."
Phenomenon of third spacing. "One unique physiological effect of swimming in freshwater or saltwater for long periods is third spacing," Munatones explains. "Third spacing causes your body to look softer and pudgier than normal." The extent of third spacing depends on the person, but can occur in less than an hour and the body returns to normal within 24 hours. Actions such as not hydrating adequately during a cold water training session can accentuate third spacing. "If you don't adequately hydrate during a long swim, the loss of electrolytes can also cause third spacing when extracellular fluids go out of the blood vessels and into your skin tissue," Munatones adds. Marine animals. "Some swimmers fear what they can see. Other swimmers fear what they cannot see," says Munatones. "Accept the fact that you are entering another world with innumerable aquatic denizens that consider you the intruder." Swimming with a teammate or escort side by side can help swimmers stay focused and keep their minds off of what is swimming below. "The most feared predators are sharks--of any kind. Fortunately, and realistically, the chances of encountering a shark are nearly zero," Munatones adds.
Risk of pollution. Pollution in the open water may be in gaseous form (e.g., escort boat exhaust), liquid form (e.g., oil slicks), or solid form (e.g., flotsam, jetsam, plastic bags, floating pieces of wood, or other discarded remnants). "Bacteria or unseen pollutants in the water can cause anything from an upset stomach to severe skin reactions," Munatones explains. "Although you will not be able to prevent everything from entering your system, use earplugs and try to keep your mouth as closed as possible when your face is in the water." Munatones adds that swimmers should rinse off soon after getting out of the water, preferably with soap.
"Adventure, a sense of accomplishment, and the thrill of competition are a few of the many reasons millions of people are heading to the open water," says Munatones. "Contemporary athletes' desire to accept the challenge of the open water is no longer questioned but rather encouraged, supported, and celebrated."
Veterans of open water swimming know to expect the unexpected in the open sea. But for those new to the sport, the open water can be frightening. Steven Munatones, author of the upcoming Open Water Swimming (Human Kinetics, June 2011), says open water swimmers must learn to accept the conditions of the sea and, rather than experience apprehension, welcome the challenge.
"Although it is not always possible to overcome all your fears of the open water, you can certainly minimize many of these through training, anticipation, and preparation," says Munatones.
In Open Water Swimming, Munatones discusses the most common elements that swimmers will encounter and how to be prepared for any circumstance.
Swimming in saltwater. Swimming for long periods in saltwater can cause a person's tongue to swell and feel different, but gargling with mouthwash or a mixture of water and mouthwash can help alleviate the sensation. "Occasionally, if you swim for very long periods in very salty water, you will temporarily lose the taste sensation in your tongue," Munatones says. "This is normal, and the sensation will soon return."
Phenomenon of third spacing. "One unique physiological effect of swimming in freshwater or saltwater for long periods is third spacing," Munatones explains. "Third spacing causes your body to look softer and pudgier than normal." The extent of third spacing depends on the person, but can occur in less than an hour and the body returns to normal within 24 hours. Actions such as not hydrating adequately during a cold water training session can accentuate third spacing. "If you don't adequately hydrate during a long swim, the loss of electrolytes can also cause third spacing when extracellular fluids go out of the blood vessels and into your skin tissue," Munatones adds. Marine animals. "Some swimmers fear what they can see. Other swimmers fear what they cannot see," says Munatones. "Accept the fact that you are entering another world with innumerable aquatic denizens that consider you the intruder." Swimming with a teammate or escort side by side can help swimmers stay focused and keep their minds off of what is swimming below. "The most feared predators are sharks--of any kind. Fortunately, and realistically, the chances of encountering a shark are nearly zero," Munatones adds.
Risk of pollution. Pollution in the open water may be in gaseous form (e.g., escort boat exhaust), liquid form (e.g., oil slicks), or solid form (e.g., flotsam, jetsam, plastic bags, floating pieces of wood, or other discarded remnants). "Bacteria or unseen pollutants in the water can cause anything from an upset stomach to severe skin reactions," Munatones explains. "Although you will not be able to prevent everything from entering your system, use earplugs and try to keep your mouth as closed as possible when your face is in the water." Munatones adds that swimmers should rinse off soon after getting out of the water, preferably with soap.
"Adventure, a sense of accomplishment, and the thrill of competition are a few of the many reasons millions of people are heading to the open water," says Munatones. "Contemporary athletes' desire to accept the challenge of the open water is no longer questioned but rather encouraged, supported, and celebrated."
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