IMSHOF - discussion with Chris Stockdale

2025-07-25 - Sandycove (IRE) - Discussion with Honoree Dr. Chris Stockdale, MBE, former Medical Officer of the CSA on the next safety innovations coming – and review of the previous 100 years.

Next years:

• Small oxygen tank on board (plus a bag-mask, oral suction and oxymeter for measuring blood O2 - off the finger). A quick test records oxygen saturation (SpO2 normally 95-100%). Below that, oxygen can be LIFE SAVING (particularly with SIPE).
• Retrieval device for quick extraction (rescue or special help with swimmers with some physical disabilities): slings and Dacon rescue frame as two examples.

Future:

• Simple hand-held ECG gives a heart rhythm trace which can be sent to medics on shore - no wires.
• Swimmer’s monitored and vital signs will be transmitted on board.
• A long history of safety improvements in marathon swimming:
• Qualification swims
• Medical certificates
• GPS/ALS – confirming boat positions
• Electronic lights
• Social media (and to a lesser extent – books) which share massive amounts of information to better educate swimmers (crews, observer and pilots) on training, mental aspects and safety
• Explosion of 5 km to 30 km events and swims around the world that allow marathon swimmers to “climb the ladder” to bigger swims
• Pods and long-distance training camp which get marathon (and aspiring) swimmers together for group training and experience sharing
• Electronic phones to backup radios
• Tow floats (in some events)
• Crew, Observer, pilot safety training in CPR +
• AEDs on board
• Drug testing
• Modern swim suits – wool vests weren’t helpful
• Recognition that the pilot of the support vessel has the ultimate authority to terminate a swim. It is also recognized that the swimmer, swimmer’s crew and often observer can also terminate the swim.

Concluding

Generally, a safety swimmer on the crew ALWAYS within diving distance of the swimmer.

Evolution from keeping the swimmer alive to taking action before the swimmer gets in trouble. It is getting rare to hear things like: “I’ll die before I quit”. Yes, swimmers know the risks (or so they think) but they don’t expect to die.

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