What type of cramp is the “killer” cramp? Just curious as I think its an urban legend.
How about a cramp in the most important muscle, the heart!
I’m a crap swimmer, and I can’t imagine cramping so bad I’d drown.
I got the obligatory leg cramps whilst swimming at SOS this past year, particularly during the first long swim, and while it was uncomfortable for a while, I waved the kayaker off and kept on keeping on.
Never felt like I was gonna drown. Thought didn’t ever enter my mind.
I remember once after I got home from a XC mtb race, and while attempting to stretch on the floor, I got massive leg cramps, my calves and hammies felt like they rolled up like venetian blinds. My wife found my writhing in pain quite humorous.
I guess if theoretically I got cramps like that while swimming, it might suck a bit.
But I still wouldn’t probably drown.
Also, I have not mastered the difficult art of water breathing.
Hah!!! My problem with cramps is that I can be in a typical pool (or any body of fresh water), take a full breath of air, and try to float. I don't. I sink to about 3-5 feet under water. Saltwater I can almost float in...almost. I've cramped up a calf and hamstring once in the pool down at the deep end, and it was definitely a chore to try to release the muscle and still get air. If I were out openwater swimming I could have been in serious trouble...especially with any waves. As it was, I only had about 10 yards to get to the wall.
I think for most people floating isn’t an issue, but for a lot of triathletes it’s a big deal. I am built like a typical triathlete, mostly lean but not <5% bodyfat…just very “dense.” The average person with a 15-20% bf or higher, well I can’t figure out how you could drown from a cramp there…
Yep, I’ve done the same test in the pool. Take a full breath of air, and relax. I float so that
only the crown of my head is at the surface. It’s hard to breathe through your scalp.
If I let a third of my air out I sink to the bottom of whatever body of water it is.
-Jot
I don’t float when I’m relaxed. I certainly don’t float when in pain and struggling.
Also, I have not mastered the difficult art of water breathing.
As a result, I believe I could drown as a result of cramps.
-Jot
either you have little body fat or you don’t know how to survival float
(deadmans float I think its called) you put air into your lungs and hold it you will float.
Or you can lay on your back inhale hold it until you need to breath that works as well arms out(assuming arms aren’t whats cramping.
Put your head in water while holding your breath and arms out wide.
Then exhale out of the water and take a deep breath.
the air in your lungs should keep you on the surface…
Learned that in the 60’s in boy scouts…
Of course if you freak out and enhale water then pretty much mute point by then unless you’ve learned to just cough it up and relax.