Rant About Safety

[Merman Andrew]

You are sure on a roll with replying to every single thread that has to do with safety. (At least this one is *somewhat* recent? :P )

This seems to be something you're very invested in - which is good- but I feel like all we're doing at this point is giving you the same responses in all these threads. And I feel some of the assumptions you're presenting in some of these posts are incorrect and I'm curious where you're getting your info from or what you're basing it on. For instance in this 4 year old thread you think people can't drown their first time in a silicone tail. (I'm replying here because I dont think there's a need too spread these issues out across so many threads, and at least here people are active and can reply whereas that thread is mostly people who aren't here anymore) and that's just a poor assumption. I haven't seen you say anywhere htat you've swam in a silicone tail, and even if you had, your one experience couldn't be applied to everyone. Many people express struggling their first time in a silicone tail and feeling panicked and the potential for drowning is real. So many factors can play into it. Where I float in my She creature tail, one of my smaller mermaids who the tail is a bit big on (so it fills up with more water) sunk like a stone and because the fluke had no kick, couldnt get to the surface. Another one of my girls had a similar experience and found herself panicking underwater. The only reason these situations didn't escalate was because we have a safety protocol and intervened.

At this point, does it really have to be asked- can we swim alone?

Really what it comes down to is mermaids can do whatever they want (barring any bans) but whether or not they should is another question. The actions have ripple effects through the whole community.

Now my point with THIS thread (5 months ago) was that the person I spoke to (well respected in the community) felt it was OK to take risks (such as breathing from an air hose without training) because if a mermaid died, it would't really effect the community, because by their logic scuba divers die all the time.

I have retracted my statement in the linked post about silicone tails. I don't claim to have swam in a silicone tail or know what it's like to swim in one. From what you are saying it sounds like a buddy is always required for silicone tail swimming, especially if you're new to it, but I suppose my question above was about if it's safe to swim by yourself in a fabric tail (sorry I should have clarified that). And I should have further clarified this to say just regular lap swimming as opposed to long breath holds and so on. I am asking your opinion not to try to fish for a positive response but I am genuinely interested to know what more experienced mers think about it since I dont have many mer friends that can regularly go swimming with me. I am not aware of this question has been answered specifically anywhere else which is why I am asking it.

And just so you know I 100% agree with you on your OP. I do think that if Mermaid died from swimming it would be a big problem for the community and it stresses me out even to imagine what implications that could have. Without even any incidents occurring there are so many pools here in Australia that are banning it.

[Mermaid Ripple]

I'm gonna add my two cents in here because I almost never have a partner who has swum in silicone with me. Mers are limited in Vancouver :P
Honestly, I'd say that no matter what do not swim alone ever or alone in a tail, no matter how experienced you are. There are so many things that can go wrong.
On the topic of swimming alone in a public pool. I would definitely say no to that. Unless you're paying the lifeguard to watch you specifically, you should have someone with you at all times. It's unfair to ask them to be conscious of someone who is swimming alone who technically has placed them self at an added risk by throwing a tail on. You immediately become a liability of the pool and that becomes messy. Especially if you have no insurance.

[Merman Andrew]

I'm gonna add my two cents in here because I almost never have a partner who has swum in silicone with me. Mers are limited in Vancouver :P
Honestly, I'd say that no matter what do not swim alone ever or alone in a tail, no matter how experienced you are. There are so many things that can go wrong.

I'd really like it if someone could tell me what are these "many things that can go wrong" when I am a competent swimmer swimming laps in a public pool in a fabric tail, because without facts that can back that statement up I see it as an overreaction. Imagine if we told all swimmers at public pools that they can't swim alone because it's too dangerous. The pools would lose alot of customers because many people want to go for a swim but their friends can't make it or whatever. And that's why the life guards are there.

When I swim I know my limits and I don't try to hold my breath longer than I feel comfortable with, I know that if I get tired I can just go to the surface and tread water (I can tread water for 10 mins.). I usually swim either in the recreational lane where if I really need to I can grab onto the edge of the pool to take a rest, or in sections of the pool which are shallow enough that I can stand in the water. I also always wear goggles so its not like I'm going to bash my head into something. I'm even looking into doing a free diving course and going along to a free diving club in my area so I can be an even better swimmer.

As I've said before I certainly prefer I can get other mers or friends to come swimming with me, but there have been several times where others in my pod are busy or just not interested, and that means I don't get any training in that week. Whilst I don't want to be "that guy" that gets into trouble in Mermaid tail, I just don't see any significant risks with what I am doing swimming alone that cannot be controlled by me being sensible.

Edit: I'm just talking about fabric tails in public pools here, I already agree that swimming in a silicone tail or ocean/lake swimming etc requires someone to watch you due to the added risk.

[Echidna]

It comes down to the mer n question if "things can go wrong".

Usually, the people who fear all kinds of things are thinking of themselves and what their capabilities are, and then extend that to everyone.
But there are big differences.
Some are buoyant and have to fight to go under at all, tail or no.
It's really hard to drown like this unless you lose consciousness and lie face down in the water.

The ones at risk for drowning in a tail are those who sink like rocks.

Then there are the peeps who cannot really do the dolphin kick and think it's impossible to swim if you "cannot spread your legs", therefor putting on a tail is a guarantee to drown. Etc.

What pools should do is either a case-to-case evaluation, or better:
let everyone sign a waiver that they swim at their own risk.
I know it's probably not going to happen, because simply banning tails is easier, but one can hope.

[AniaR]

I think it's funny how you guys talk like experts sometimes. How can you possibly presume to understand who is at risk of drowning? People drown everyday for loads of reasons. Lots of competent and well experienced swimmers drown. I just can't even sometimes. I give up on this...

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

[Mermaid Jaffa]

Just be careful whether you swim alone or not, regardless of person capabilities.

[Princess Pearl]

There is always, ALWAYS a risk of drowning. Don't swim alone. Don't do it. No. Not safe. No. Olympic level athletes and professional freedivers have drowned. Don't. Swim. Alone.

[Echidna]

There is always, ALWAYS a risk of drowning. Don't swim alone. Don't do it. No. Not safe. No. Olympic level athletes and professional freedivers have drowned. Don't. Swim. Alone.

It's an age-old discussion on freediving boards as well. and there is general consensus that one should always have a buddy BUT,
for many people this would mean they could never, ever swim/dive, because they cannot get a buddy for whatever reason when they go for a swim.

And I was replying specifically to Leomar's scenario of supervised pool, lightweight fabric tail.
Unless you are struggling to stay at the surface (in which case you probably shouldn't be doing this at all ), this is not much different from a regular swimmer at a public pool.

While cases of drownings in supervised pools do happen (usually to non-swimmers who jump into the deep end, people who suffer a heartattack and thus drown, etc), no one ever says that one absolutely should only go lapswimming with a trusty buddy at your side.

We're all aware there is a risk, and that having a guard is always preferable.
Does that warrant jumping to the other extreme, and foregoing all swimming?
You might as well stop using a car.
The risk to have a lethal accident is MUCH higher than to drown in a pool.

[Mermaid Alaria]

I'd really like it if someone could tell me what are these "many things that can go wrong" when I am a competent swimmer swimming laps in a public pool in a fabric tail, because without facts that can back that statement up I see it as an overreaction. Imagine if we told all swimmers at public pools that they can't swim alone because it's too dangerous. The pools would lose alot of customers because many people want to go for a swim but their friends can't make it or whatever. And that's why the life guards are there...

Edit: I'm just talking about fabric tails in public pools here, I already agree that swimming in a silicone tail or ocean/lake swimming etc requires someone to watch you due to the added risk.

For several years in college I was a very strong swimmer. I swam about 2500-3000 yard every weekday. I was a lifeguard. I regularly did surface dives of 12 feet for rescue training. I was a lean mean swimming machine.

One morning at practice...the entire left side of my body seized up without warning. I had a moment of severe panic before I managed to throw my right arm over the lane line and yell for the guard. Normally I was capable of jumping out of that deep pool. That day I had to be hauled by my coach and the guard. I can only imagine what might have happened in tail, no lane lines. Terrifying. People might have just thought I was practicing sinking.

No one is ever completely safe. I think the analogy just made to a car is a really good one. As has been wisely said before, you are only as safe as your precautions. Now, cramps are one very real "thing that can go wrong." Others are blacking out, shock, hitting your head, swallowing water or getting too much up your nose. I think at its essence, no matter how natural we feel in the water, its important for all of us to remember that water is a chaotic environment for us. Most of the risks come from this unpredictability of how our bodies interact with the water. In my story it came down to the exact balance of electrolytes, and water, and adrenal hormones in my body. I had no good way to forecast that. Even the most conditioned are at risk. Mer-swimming is about risk assessment. An informed mer who uses lax safety measures can be seen as someone demonstrating classically "risky behavior." Raina's OP pointing out that we all affect one another with our choices is an excellent point. Thanks for starting this thread Raina. I hope everyone heeds the wisdom here.

[Mermaid Jaffa]

I have no one to call on for a swim buddy. No one in my family is interested in sports or any kind of exercise activity. Its either swim alone or not swim at all. I don't do much flip tricks. Sometimes a barrel roll or two, but I am more focused on perfecting the mermaid swim technique, than actually performing any tricks. Normally, I just do laps in a tail. I know my limits. I don't push myself beyond that. If the lifeguard walks away for some reason, I always stop swimming and wait for him/her to come back.

[suzanne86]

I also mainly do lap swimming. I vary the workouts, and include swimming on my back and side to make the workouts interesting. As I swim, I mentally sing songs to myself to help me keep up the rhythm. Physically, I always feel refreshed and rejuvenated after each workout. It is a great feeling. Usually the "regulars" at the pool all "do their own thing," and it has gotten to the point where when I gaze over into adjacent lanes, I pretty much know exactly where the other folks in the pool are in their respective workouts!

[KateyMermaid]

OK, I havent commented in this thread yet, so this is gonna be long. i agree with Raina 1000% percent.

Safety is paramount in the mermaid community. at any level. For yourself, and for others.

I will start by saying that I have considered myself a mermaid since 2008/2009. I am SDI Open Water certified (currently working on advanced open water), I am WSI certified through the RedCross, First Aid and CPR through the RedCross, and am currently working as a swim instructor at a local pool and dive shop.

As a professional mermaid, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of safety. Now, I know a lot of us say that we are vigilant and pay attention. I was like that when I first started. I never was reckless or pushed myself beyond my comfort zone while swimming. It wasnt until I completed my SCUBA course that I realized how much information I was missing. This lack of knowledge has only become more apparent with each water safety course I take. We are essentially land mammals. It doesnt matter how good of a swimmer you are. It doesnt matter how comfortable underwater you are. Water is inherently a dangerous and foreign environment for humans. period. Now, we are all (mostly) consenting adults here (I say most because I know there are mermaids out there and on the forum under 18). We are each responsible for our own health and safety. yes. When you go professional, this is no longer true. You are responsible for your safety, the safety of those around you and the reputation of the venue you are working for. Accidents happen. Accidents happen FAST. If you are a professional mermaid, it really is in your best interest to spend the money and take the classes. I've over a grand on courses. Now, mind you, i work as a swim instructor. So these courses are also required for my job.
I'm not saying you CANNOT be a mermaid without these skills, but I'm saying that it is a good idea for you to look into it. I require all of The Ohio Mermaids to have some kind of water safety certification.
Birthday Parties are a great example of why taking water safety classes is a good idea. I consider myself a strong swimmer. I have no fear of drowning. I am comfortable in the water. I am in good physical shape and have good endurance. I was doing a backyard pool party, and had two older kids (between 8 and 10yo) suddenly jump on my back while I was in the 8ft end of the pool. Yes, I am strong enough to give mermaid rides. However, these girls caught me off guard, I was not expecting it, and all 3 of us went under. I had no time to get the breath I needed, and they did not expect me to sink so fast. Had I not had the emergency reaction training, and the thought to NOT PANIC, it ended up OK. I was able to shake them loose and get the 3 of us back to shallow water (they then got a stern talking to from mom and dad).
Same goes for drowning. How many of you have ever seen someone REALLY start to drown? guess what. It's not splashy and panicked like pop culture shows. It's silent. and it happens fast. Before I was a swim instructor, I had no idea how fast a child can slip under and get a lungful of water. The number of times that I have to interfere at both lessons and mermaid events because someone wasn't paying attention and their 6yo slipped into the deep end is alarming.

Again, I'm not saying you cant be a professional mermaid without this experience. I know I considered myself a professional years before I was WSI/First Aid/CPR certified. and looking back, I wish I had taken the courses earlier in my mermaid career. Having done the classes, I am more confident in my abilities to perform with the public, and around children.


On the subject of personal safety and swimming alone. I mean, swimming alone is NEVER a good idea, but I know it's not always possible to find a buddy. The pool a frequent has a lifeguard on duty. Thats more than enough. The dive well that I use does not have a lifeguard, but when I swim in my tail, I go when there are usually dive club meetings. They enjoy interacting with a mermaid while they practice, and I know that I have access to regulators if I need them. I guess on the subject of personal workouts and tail use. be smart. A drowning in the community affects all of us.

Which brings me to the subject of SCUBA. now, I know SCUBA gear isnt required for mermaiding. But even a "discover scuba" course can be super helpful for new mermaids. Most dive shops off a 1 hour test class on SCUBA to see if youre interested in signing up for a full course. (most places its between $30 and $50). Even if you dont want to do the entire certification, I highly recommend taking an intro class. They teach equalizing techniques, warning signs, ways to relax in water, emergency protocol, and a slew of other things that can be very helpful when working in a tail.

[KateyMermaid]

As far and drowning in a tail....I dont think that swimmers under a certain age or skill level should ever use a tail without supervision. I am an advocate for using a monofin for months before even considering putting a tail on. FinFun actually has a fantastic YouTube series about the skills you need to be "tail ready". I think its an excellent resource for new mers.

As far as silicone. Yes. I would say that silicone can be more dangerous than other tail materials. for one, it is much much harder to get off in an emergency. I dont think I could quickly escape from my current tail. Two, silicone tails are heavier. I dont mean that they sink, I mean they move slower in the water, weigh more on land, and can run the risk of getting vacuumed against the pool or pool drain. I dont think that people should just straight into silicone tails. build up to it. and when you do invest in a silicone tail, take the time to use it in a controlled environment before adventuring out for a gig, or photoshoot, or open water.

Lastly, Mermaiding is an up and coming sport. when freedivers or scuba divers drown, people react differently. Scuba and freediving are wildly accepted as "Extreme Sports". there are regulated and standardized courses to train people on how to do it correctly and inform them of the risks involved. When accidents happen, the public reacts by saying that "they knew the risks". I am not saying its less tragic, or that its OK. What I'm saying is that mermaiding is still reletively new. There is no standard training, or institution or evaluation of it. mermaiding can be anywhere from reaction in your backyard to extreme freediving. Accidents in the mermaid community would be considered "irresponsible" and "dangerous". I think it is in all of our best interests to educate and teach ourselves as much as we can, until mermaiding gets the recognition it needs.



Sorry about the crazy long rant. I promise I'm not trying to sound bitchy. This is just something I take seriously and am passionate about. Mermaiding is supposed to be fun! lets keep it that way!

[Mermaid Wesley]

Important!! I see way too many people jump into silicone tails and think they can do it unsupervised. It's concerning to say the least.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[KateyMermaid]

Oh yeah. I always thought upgrading to silicone would be easier. I'm so happy I decided to err on the side of caution the first time I swam in a silicone tail. Not as easy as I expected. And I was coming from a very large-fluked neoprene tail.

Even in silicone not all tails are created equal. My mertailor had a smaller fluke, but a poor kick (due partially to the fact that it did not fit correctly since I bought it secondhand). My current SyrenStudios fluke is GIANT, and took some getting used to. I still can't lift it over my head very easily.

[AniaR]

I've never once swam unsupervised in my silicone tail. Not once. I ALWAYS have someone with me. No one on my team is ever permitted to swim alone either.

[Merman Andrew]

100% agree with all your comments made above KateyMermaid. You make a very valid point that it is crucial for mermaids who want to go professional to have water safety certification due to increased liability and just sheer increase in the number of things that can go wrong even if you are a good swimmer yourself.

How many of you have ever seen someone REALLY start to drown? guess what. It's not splashy and panicked like pop culture shows. It's silent. and it happens fast. Before I was a swim instructor, I had no idea how fast a child can slip under and get a lungful of water. The number of times that I have to interfere at both lessons and mermaid events because someone wasn't paying attention and their 6yo slipped into the deep end is alarming.

Yes, I did a free diving course recently and they talked about this - I was surprised to learn that someone drowning will probably not be able to even wave their arms or call out as they are devoting all their energy into trying to not drown. And it's even harder to detect on someone else something like blackout or other emergency when someone is swimming along underwater like a Mermaid unless you watch them very closely as free divers do when they are spotting a dive buddy. So I agree with your point that the more safety information we can have the better, and like you I recommend all mers take at least a water safety course if not a free diving or scuba course.

Thanks again for sharing your perspective, I think the more we can talk about what are the potential safety issues that could happen while swimming to raise awareness for all, the better off and safer a community we will be.

Sent from my HTC_PN071 using Tapatalk

[Merman Chatfish]

There is a website called Lifeguards Love Youtube that holds a collection of videos of people drowning so you can see what it actually looks like. Link is https://sites.google.com/site/lifegu...im-recognition. I show these videos to lifeguards as even they don't always realize what drowning actually looks like.

Every summer I hear news reports of a lifeguard drowning, usually while doing a rescue. If someone trained in water safety can drown, anyone can.

The American Red Cross multiple basic water safety courses, ranging from 30 minutes to 5 hours.

General Water Safety-This 30-minute presentation provides participants with an awareness of the importance of water safety training. General Water Safety is intended for anyone who wants to learn about the importance of water safety and how to be safe in, on and around water.

Water Safety Today-This 2-hour course teaches participants how to prevent, recognize and respond to emergencies in, on and around the water. It provides basic information on ocean safety (rip currents), safety at waterparks and boating safety. Successful completion of this course results in a certificate

Personal Water Safety-This 5-hour course builds on basic swimming and safety skills and provides individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to avoid aquatic emergencies. Participants learn survival and self-rescue techniques. It provides basic information on safety in natural water environments and boating and personal watercraft safety. There are skill prerequisites. Successful completion of this course results in a certificate of completion that has no validity period. Personal Water Safety is intended for individuals who participate in aquatic activities and want to improve their water safety and survival skills.

Basic Water Rescue-This 4-hour certification course provides participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies. It also prepares participants for aquatic emergencies by teaching them how to protect themselves while assisting others. Basic Water Rescue does not provide participants with all the knowledge and skills needed to be certified as a lifeguard. Basic Water Rescue is intended for public safety personnel, camp personnel and day trip leaders, daycare workers, school teachers, aquatic fitness instructors, aquatic therapists, anyone involved in aquatic activities and others who work around water. This course is available in both a blended online with in-person learning and instructor-led format.

Anyone who mers I would recommend taking Personal Water Safety, and those who stay out of the water (photographers or wranglers) the Basic Water Rescue. Raina, I know you and I are going to talk about tail and water safety at Mermania this year. There are activities I want to do (like swim with the kids again), but I could offer one or more of these full classes too.

[Mermaid Mia]

I've ben stalking this thread and decided to throw in my 2 cents.

I was a competitive swimmer for 11 years and have training/experience as a lifeguard. I don't go swimming alone. Lap swimming at a pool WITH a lifeguard I will do without a specific buddy, but not often. And for everything else I take someone with me. Now I am the strongest swimmer in my family and friends (not the fastest, but the strongest) so often my buddy is in a kayak while i swim. I find that works well.

On the matter of swimming alone in your tail at a pool with a lifeguard: I would say it is up to the individual, but I will never do it. Whenever I take my tail to the pool I bring a buddy AND talk to the lifeguard to make sure they are personally ok with it and know my skill level. I do this not for my safely really, but for their comfort and the safety of other patrons. As a mermaid we may know our limits, but guards wont always. I personally feel it would be irresponsible to expect the guard to look out for you when you don't bring a buddy, because they will, but it might come at the expense of not paying as much attention as they should to other people. What is a breath hold to us could look like a risk to a guard, and while they are waiting for you to come up for air somebody else might really be in trouble. Having a buddy there not only protects you, but they can also be your communicator, letting everyone know you are a-ok, just doing what you do, so the guards can get back to doing what they do.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mermaid Lorelei]

How many of you have ever seen someone REALLY start to drown? guess what. It's not splashy and panicked like pop culture shows. It's silent. and it happens fast. Before I was a swim instructor, I had no idea how fast a child can slip under and get a lungful of water. The number of times that I have to interfere at both lessons and mermaid events because someone wasn't paying attention and their 6yo slipped into the deep end is alarming.

This one is a pet peeve of mine. The sheer number of parents who do not understand that they NEED to watch their children even though there are lifeguards and mermaids in the water boggles my mind. I had to rescue a little girl from the most recent gig I did. Seriously, this isn't a once and a while thing. My VERY MOST RECENT GIG had this happen.