Local news in Louisville:
Ironman officials report the death of an athlete at Sunday’s Ford Ironman Louisville. The athlete experienced cardiac arrest during the swim portion of the event and was transported to University of Louisville Hospital. Pending notification of the athlete’s family, the name and additional details are not being released at this time.
Sad news
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That sucks!
Obviously the reference to following study does not include deaths in 2009, 2010, 2011 (NYC tri and now IMKY). We can all discuss the merits of having to pass some sort of swim test, or sign a form stating we can swim and understand the risks, but according to the following story, the deaths appear to be caused by “sudden death”. I would venture to say that the stress of swimming a long distance in open water, in a wesuit (which most people find restrictive and often purchase being to tight to breathe properly because they believe will make them faster), combined with the anxiety of having to swim in a crowded environment, has to be a major cause. Swimming by yourself in a 25m pool is a lot different than the IM swim leg.
Having said this, I read that there is one death for every 20,000 marathoners. Which means we can expect one death in every major marathon in America.
Of 14 deaths in triathlons between 2006 and 2008, 13 victims were in the water when they died or started having trouble, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association***. The same study found that the risk of sudden death in triathlons is about twice that of marathons.***
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don’t believe any wetsuits in Louisville…
Louisville is not a crowded swim. He went into arrest less than 300 yards into the swim.
Oh crap. That sucks for both the family and Slowtwitch, which will now be inundated with handwringing BS.
Yeah, but I have to say it’s pretty much a daily occurrence to hear about someone killed while riding or while doing a tri. Not enough to make me quit and get fat. But damn that’s just depressing. Skydiving probably has a lower death rate.
I agree with what you are saying, but today as we lined up to start they suddenly held the line. We then saw them removing the gentleman from the water. This was 50 feet from the dock. Sudden. Had nothing to do with getting into the swim and not being able to handle it and no wetsuits. It was very unnerving to watch them wheel him up the ramp while giving chest compressions, and then we began our swim. Talk about messing with your nerves!
Pretty much would think having a heart attack during a swim is more fatal than when running anyway because if your running you might notice it and stop and get help or
when you go down someone knows right then somethings wrong. But when you swimming it might take a while for someone to notice somethings wrong and having a heart attack while in open water could create more panic and just make things worse or you drown. So yea chances of a cardiac event being fatal is more in the swim than in the run.
Wonder what the statistics are of non-fatal cardiac events in marathons vs swimming and use those numbers.
I agree with what you are saying, but today as we lined up to start they suddenly held the line. We then saw them removing the gentleman from the water. This was 50 feet from the dock. Sudden. Had nothing to do with getting into the swim and not being able to handle it and no wetsuits. It was very unnerving to watch them wheel him up the ramp while giving chest compressions, and then we began our swim. Talk about messing with your nerves!
Heckuva first post-hopefully your next post will contain more cheerful text. Anyway, welcome to the mental washing machine that is Slowtwitch. Thankfully, your race went better than the competitor you observed :-\
Skydiving probably has a lower death rate.
Most likely not if you’re reading a skydiving forum.
Very sad indeed.
Thoughts to the family
A
Oh crap. That sucks for both the family and Slowtwitch, which will now be inundated with handwringing BS.
Sorry you see it as handwringing BS. Questions need raising so these deaths can be prevented or avoided
And how do you prevent it? As I have point out, over the same period of time, TWICE as many people have dropped dead during Soccer matches or practices at the Club/Pro level… So if elite to professional soccer players drop dead from strenuous exercise, how is a “swim test” going to help? Professional soccer players also have access to more trainers and medical staff and still keel over. The average age was around 26.
It’s why it is called “sudden death”.
I don’t think a swim test would help either, but lowering the number of participants might. These races are getting too large. Also, I believe saying these deaths are due to a heart attack is an easy answer and not the real cause.
Very valid points. Smaller numbers would definitely decrease some of the “panic” factor.
Whether it is heart attack or shock, I think the main cause that some of the people just get a huge build up of stress in a very short period of time and it has a fatal negative effect on their system. Not sure how much of an autopsy is done, either. I would agree that the environmental conditions of a crowded race day and the “pressure” have more to do with the deaths than the ability to swim x distance in y time.
Maybe educating others about the “panic” factor might help. I believe some swimmers should ease into the race and let their pace grow. I have raced the swim, but not anymore, I ease into the swim and truly have fun with it.
Sad to hear more negative news about triathlons, but my question to all these people who have died. How much swimming experience do they have prior to the race? Either swimming in a triathlon or swimming races? Are these the first time these people swim in a competitive environment?
Anyone have any insight to these athletes?
Is it just me or is this stuff being reported more now than it was a couple years ago? I don’t remember hearing about so many fatalities in the past?