Open Water Swimming Manual

Table Of Contents

Table of Contents
 
Introduction
 
Part One: How to Begin
 
Chapter 1: Beginnings
Allure of the Open Water
Expert Sources & Credentials
 
Chapter 2: Equipment
The Swimsuit
Swimsuit Care
Chafing
Skin Lubricant Products
Treatment for Chafing
Sunscreen Products
Sunburn Prevention
Sunburn Treatment
Goggles
Swim Caps
Wet Suits
Swim Skins
 
Chapter 3: Finding an Open Water Swimming Coach and Group
Finding Specific Coaches and Groups
 
Chapter 4: Technical Skills for Open Water Swimming
Swimming Skills Required
Breathing Drills
Head Position in the Water
Feeling the Water to Swim Faster
 
Chapter 5: Research
Selecting a Training Area
Scouting/Walking the Workout Course
Tidal Charts
Water Temperature
Water Quality
Food and Hydration
 
Chapter 6: Into the Open Water
The Stingray Shuffle
Water Entry
Bodysurfing
Waves
Surf
Role of the Tides
Swell Prediction
Moving through the Surf
Over Our Heads: Distress Signals
Riptides
Water Exit
 
Chapter 7: Effects of Heat and Cold
Cold Acclimatization
Hyperthermia and Hypothermia
Heat Acclimatization
Hypothermia
Ice Swimming
After-drop
 
Chapter 8: Sinuses and Ears
Prevention of Infections
 
Chapter 9: Ocean Hazards
Fog
Ships, Boats, Jet Skis, Sailor Boats, Wind Surfers, Kite Surfers, and Surfers
 
Part Two: Beginning and Intermediate Swimmers
 
Chapter 10: Training Swims
Training Safely
Training for a Short Open Water Swim
Training for a Moderate or Long Open Water Swim
 
Chapter 11: Selection For Support & Swim
Skills Required for Kayaker
Kayaker Selection
Kayaker Competency
Swimming Route
 
Part Three: Intermediate & Advanced Swimmers
 
Chapter 12: Open Water Swims Outside the Buoys with Boat Support
Information Gathering/Research
Selecting Support Crew
One Person on the Surface in Charge
Plan for Swim/Mission
Briefing: Explaining the Plan
SEAL Mission Planning
Strategy
Backup Plans
Safety/Operational Risk Management
Emergency Action Plan
Completion of Swim and Rewarming
Debriefing
Further SEAL Advice When Planning a Swim
Recommendations for Long Training Swims and Documentation
 
Chapter 13: Dangerous Marine Organisms
Research Semitropical and Tropical Waters before Swimming
Bristle Worms
Coral Reefs
Fire Coral
Jellyfish
Box Jellyfish
Leptospirosis
Seabather’s Eruption
Sea Cucumbers
Sea Urchin
Seaweed Dermatitis
Scorpion Fish
Crown-of-Thorns Starfish
Stonefish
Stingrays
Country Medicine
Swimmer’s Itch
SEALs Recommend U.S. Navy Diving Manual
 
Chapter 14: Sharks
Swimming with Sharks and Rays
Minds In the Water
U.S. Navy Diving Manual on Sharks
First Aid for Shark Bites
 
Part Four: Advanced Swimmers
 
Chapter 15: Into the Dark
Swimming in the Dark
Dark Swims and Illumination
Finding Better Illumination
 
Chapter 16: Sea Sickness
Taking Medications During a Swim
 
Chapter 17: Preparation
Physical Training
Mental Preparation
 
Chapter 18: Going In and out of Consciousness
Deep Mind “Thing”
Sleep
 
Chapter 19: Motivations
Success
Success in Unsuccessful Swims
 
Chapter 20: The English Channel Charts, Contacts, and Pilots
Tidal Charts
You Want to Swim the English Channel?
How Do You Make Contact?
Selecting a Pilot
 
Chapter 21: Catalina and Other Channel Swims
The Catalina Channel Swim
The Santa Barbara Channel Swim
Finding Pilots For the Catalina Channel and Other Swims
Meeting With Pilots Before Hiring Them
Inspect the Boat Before You Swim
Before You Begin Any Channel Swim
Contact the U.S. Coast Guard
Staying Healthy
Boating Safety
Selecting Boat Support for an Organized Swim
Organized Swim Considerations
 
Chapter 22: Swimmer’s Utopia
 
Chapter 23: Stewardship of the Waters
 
Sources for Additional Information
Acknowledgments
Index