OT: How far can someone swim if their life depended on it?
 

This poll is for a good reason, not just curiosity.

Wondering how far a "fit" adult can swim, in relatively calm, warm water, if their life depended on it. Only support would come from some sort of small floatation device (e.g. life vest or similar).

-Mark

guess I need to put some type of time limit - say, 4 hours or so.

My girlfriends dad swam from Catalina to San Pedro (26 miles) non stop for fun, I guess I could probably swim 10 miles with a small flotation device.:D

damn! For FUN?! How long did it take him? He do it w/o a floatation device and without boarding any vessel throughout the whole ordeal? Did he train for it?

FWIW, I do not plan on training at all, above and beyond my standard routine (3x/week cardio, 2x/week lifting).

There is a guy swimming the length of the Mississippi River for fun. It is like 2600 miles. He just stopped in St. Louis last week. I think he has 3 more weeks till he gets to New Orleans.

No flotation device either. Just a wet suit.

I think a "fit" person would sink. Someone with a little meat on them would float better and stay warmer. Thats what I keep telling myself anyway:D Water makes a huge difference. Salt water is very bouyant and a little warmer. I have heard of people treading water for days. Your best bet is to do just that and not use your energy swinmming unless you could see land. I used to swim laps in a pool and could go about a mile until i was bored or tired. Just don't think about it and wear a PFD:D

In an emergency situation the biggest factor in determining how far you can swim is water temperature. If its warm and you are in shape you can swim pretty far. If its cold the more body fat you have helps to insulate you from the cold. In the Coast Guard course I took the instructor said that the average boater stands a 50% chance of being able to swim 50 yards in 50 degree water.

Ron

Interesting. And kinda scary!

I can only swim as far as the beer cooler is... :D :D :D :D

I can only swim IN the cooler. And I can still not touch the bottom.:eek: