We recall being hospitalized due to hypothermia in 1984. The water on a Friday was 67°F, but it dropped like a rock by Sunday to 54°F as a storm blew in. Admittedly unprepared, the last thing that I remember was swimming in dark, cold water. and was taken by an ambulance to a local hospital where I woke up. I never remember getting pulled out, taken by the ambulance or being admitted to the hospital. I remember Philip Rush being the first guy to meet me back at the hotel. He admitted to “not overheating” which made me feel much better. When Philip Rush says he did “not overheat”, he reminds me of Irish and South Africans.

So this may be one reason why I think swimmers who instruct their crew not to pull them from the water unless they sink are a bit overboard.

I think swimmers who instruct their crew not to pull them from the water unless they sink are a bit overboard.Copyright © 2012 by Open Water Source