Just saw this pop up on DCR - https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2019/07/tekrapod-openwater-safety.html
Sounds kinda neat, and the claim that it is race legal. So does that mean we can potentially wear these during the swim portion - add another 10 seconds to T1 in trying to take this off along with the wetsuit, and then no-more swim deaths?
What do you guys think?
This looks like a standard inflatable swim buoy that requires conscious actions from you to stay afloat (i.e. holding on to it). If I understand the current theories on OWS deaths correctly it usually starts with people passing out or being seriously hindered in their actions. If this is true than no, I don’t think it would help - you would need a solution that keeps your mouth and nose above the water even when being unconscious (think standard life west). After all, if you stay calm and controlled you do float when wearing a wetsuit, don’t you? Problem is, that you will potentially end face down if you are unconscious.
It might, however, offer some form of protection against potentially dangerous panic attacks in non-wetsuit swims.