Edie Hu’s Battle Scars After Adventure Around Lantau Island

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Swimsuit? Check.

Googles? Check.

Ear plugs. Check.

Lanolin, Vaseline, jellyfish ointment? Check.

And what about a nose plug? In the case of Edie Hu (50, USA, MSF bio here, @edieswimshongkong) swimming 65 km around Lantau Island, the largest of Hong Kong‘s islands, that is another check.

She used a nose plug throughout her 21 hour 28 minute circumnavigation swim. It was a tough slug through choppy waters – and sometimes, she recalled, “I was getting sleepy and actually dozing off [while swimming]. Then I started having some hallucinations – seeing Yoda on the mountain.

21.5 hours wearing a nose clip and this will happen [see below]. My nose had not healed properly from [her 16 hour 10 minute] Molokai Channel [crossing] two weeks ago, so I put on two blister bandages and then put the clip over it. It was comfortable and I had no idea this would happen. [The pressure sores] look worse than it really is. It doesn’t hurt at all. It’s just dried blood under the skin.

But at least I can breathe properly. If I didn’t wear the nose clip, I’d be having a massive sinus and respiratory problems, blowing my nose for a week and draining out liquid. I also wouldn’t be able to sleep properly. So I’m glad I found a solution even if it leaves a ghastly temporary mark.”