The open water is only as safe as you make it
Chicago beaches officially open on May 25, giving swimmers a bit more freedom from the lane-line blues. Whether swimming for fitness or competition, emergencies can happen at any time: safety is a precaution that all swimmers should practice, no matter how fit you are.

"Never Swim Alone" is a top priority that Chicago Park District Beaches and Pools Manager Janet McDonough thinks every swimmer should follow. "One reason is that a swimmer can experience a medical emergency at any time," warns McDonough. "Another is that even good swimmers can overestimate their swimming ability."

All Chicago-area beaches include designated areas for distance swimming, which are patrolled by some 225 lifeguards. Wear a brightly colored swim cap to make yourself more visible to local boat traffic and people on shore (including lifeguards), McDonough says.

Even Ohio Street Beach and its infamous breakwall training area is susceptible to hazards that swimmers need to be aware of on a daily basis. Strong undertows caused by waves are the most common water- based threat that swimmers face along the Chicago lakefront, according to McDonough.

All swimmers should also be cautious of rip currents, especially at the southern tip of Lake Michigan. The powerful and channeled currents of water that flow quickly away from shore are very common along the Indiana and Michigan shorelines. "Swimmers caught in a current should try and remain calm," says McDonough. "If possible, try to swim out of the current in a direction parallel to the shoreline." You can also tread water until safely out of a current before making an attempt to swim toward shore. "Swimming areas may be limited or closed for safety reasons if the waves are strong," McDonough says. Heed the NO SWIMMING signs-they're there for a reason.

Another threat that open water swimmers may encounter any time in the season is hypothermia. Hypothermia is a dangerously low body temperature caused by prolonged exposure to cold water. Petty Officer 2nd Class David Weiss works for the Coast Guard station at Wilmette Harbor. "As long as the water is colder than the person, hypothermia is a factor," Weiss says. "Even if the water feels warmer than the surrounding air, you still want to get out of the water before too long." Wearing a wetsuit will lengthen the time you can spend in the water, but be aware of the warning signs of hypothermia: "Shivering progresses to apathy and sluggishness," according to Weiss. "In severe cases, the person loses awareness and eventually consciousness." Weiss advises all swimmers to train in supervised areas within view of lifeguards if possible. "If you don't think you can swim a certain distance, don't try it," Weiss says. "Use caution no matter where you swim."

During competition, safety is still a concern. The annual Big Shoulders Open Water Swim Classic has become a premier attraction to United States Masters Swimmers from around the world for years. Race Director Chris Sheean has budgeted 34 lifeguards for the 2.5K and 5K races held in early September. "There are two motorboats that patrol the area in addition to the land-based guards and rowboats," says Sheean. "By the time our race comes along they have dealt with triathlons and other forms of competition, so they are well trained and prepared." Sheean gives all swimmers a pre-race speech informing everyone of the racecourse, possible hazards, USMS rules and swimming etiquette. "We all want to get to the finish line as fast as possible," he says. "If you rub shoulders with someone, give them some space."

Only a handful of swimmers come to win, Sheehan says. The hundreds of others are there to enjoy the camaraderie, check out the magnificent skyline and enjoy what may be their final open water swimming experience of the year. "Since I took over in 1998, no one has ever been pulled from the water," says Sheean. "A safe swimmer is a well informed swimmer."

For more information, visit:
www.chicagoparkdistrict.com www.bigshoulders.org www.redcross.org/services/hss/tips/ healthtips/safetywater.html

Mark Urban swims for the Mt. Greenwood Masters team. Reach him at markandkim@hotmail.com.