A stark reminder of the dangers of artistic swimming | CBC Sports

[@bm230199]

Hats off to that coach, she saved her life no doubt acting so quickly and not hesitating to jump in. My school teacher once did the same thing because one of my classmates was struggling in the water but the swimming teachers hadn't noticed, at the time we all thought it was hilarious seeing our school teacher fully clothed in the pool but looking back at it now I realise how amazing she was.

[@Deninex]

♥♥♥

[@leebliss3622]

She’s a hero truly ❤ it takes only seconds for the lungs to fill with water, it’s brutally painful and has been described as a feeling of fire entering the lungs, after that it’s a matter of seconds to minutes for lifelong brain damage to set in depending on the exact moment oxygen was lost, it’s no joke. If you ever see someone who appears to be drowning and nobody else is nearby and they may have seconds left, first check that it’s safe to dive in, and if it’s too deep for you to confidently stand with your feet flat on the bottom and head out of the water, grab onto a floatation device, if in a pinch empty water bottles shoved up under your bra or T shirt are better than nothing, pants can be used as rope to throw to a person who is still conscious but struggling as most pants are quickly a long rope after taking them off, and before jumping In or getting involved try to make enough high pitched noise to get someone’s attention or quickly dial 000 / 911 / 999 whatever your countries emergency code is and let it ring out while you help, they will hear an emergency and you can assist while shouting out your location and who you need, always before jumping into water assess your environment and check for any signs of electrical damage or failure, any fallen lights or cords that may be touching the water that shouldn’t be, check for any discoloured water in case of chemical mistakes etc, and wherever possible hold onto something sturdy and keep your head out of the water, if it’s an infant or toddler you have to act even faster, essentially just dive in, quickly scan for electric issues that may be present but just dive in, a toddler cannot push you under nor can a baby and they have a lot less time than an adult does. If you ever have to rescue a small child / child from the water and you get to them and they are non responsive turn them facing away from you, head down and bear hug from behind, lean them forward so they’re face is further out than their belly button and facing the pool and rush them out of the water in this position, NEVER let them go on their backs or hold them cradled in your arms, in the position described they are the most likely to suddenly expel water either throwing it up or coughing it up, if they are on their backs they can struggle to get it back up and out and choke to death trying to, holding them face above belly button out and over on their sides in the recovery position but face down over the water either side ways or on their stomach that’s much safer than on their backs but only do this if you can safely keep their airways out of the water otherwise keep them upright and leaning over the water or on their sides and leaning over the water, once out of the water place them on their sides and hold them in place adults or children this is the easiest way for their airways to clear and to expel liquids, check for a pulse while getting them in position if you can’t feel breathing or feel a pulse begin CPR this all needs to be done super fast and if you are ever panicking remember to breathe in for 4 counts out for 5 and start multitasking but keep it to max 2 tasks at a time, eg; immediately grabbing an empty water bottle while scanning for hazards then reaching them and keeping them on their side or stomach while checking for a pulse you can check on their necks under the jawbone where it meets the neck under the ear area or on the wrist the neck will be easier as it’s a bigger vein, if you still aren’t sure you can check eyes if rolled back you can assume CPR is necessary etc etc everyone should take first aid classes and everyone should know how to handle these situations it’s vital, water safety is really important and things can go wrong so quickly, sorry if anything I said is incorrect or disrespectful im just going off what I learned in my first aid course, the minimal amount of learning I picked up in nursing classes which I deferred until next year and the training I did as a swimming instructor for kids I know information can be different from teacher to teacher and country to country even though it shouldn’t and I love being corrected by people who know more than me because it means I’m learning so if I forgot anything or remembered incorrectly please let me know but I just wanted to share what I know while on the topic

[@fal2218]

Saved her life after giving her perfomance enhancing drugs that made her almost drown??

[@rrtvie6037]

@@fal2218did the video or any source say it was drugs??? Seems like adrenaline and holding her breath for too long so she had a lack of oxygen

[@Hornetmelli]

@@fal2218 Si vas a comentar no tomes fentanillo.

[@Dude-etiquette]

That coach is a hero

[@helives2209]

We also need to add that young man!

[@PurpleLightning6was9]

Hero has to be the most overused word is the new millennium

[@Dude-etiquette]

@@PurpleLightning6was9 She saved a person's life, if its not used in this context then when should it be used?

[@PurpleLightning6was9]

@@Dude-etiquette It was her responsibility as a swimming coach to ensure the safety of her athlete. She did the right thing, I’m a firm believer that you have to do more than the right thing to qualify as a hero.

[@Trigger200284]

Yes a hero for doing their job… does everything need a gold star these days?

[@kierielong975]

So glad that she’s ok!

[@natebyrd5107]

J

[@YoshiEaterX]

So glad it wasnt a bear!

[@Hawthorneheights888]

@@YoshiEaterXNo one hugged you today so you needed attention?

[@YoshiEaterX]

@@Hawthorneheights888 hahaha hahahaha you too 🤣

[@russia4biden221]

Stop the clout chasing comments, you dont know here or care for her. stfu

[@kyleegarcia5569]

I’m guessing a lot of people are not aware that your oxygen levels will drop as you hold your breath. Holding your breath plus exercising means hypoxia will definitely set in quickly if you’re not getting adequate recovery between dives back under the water. Just like you would pass out if holding your breath while running or lifting weights for too long. I’m so glad she recovered! I always wondered how they do this as I have never been good at holding my breath for long periods of time.

[@piiinkDeluxe]

Exhale before inhale and then hold your breath

[@jumsaesiaw6890]

@@piiinkDeluxe. I practice this once my head touches the pillow and sleep really well.

[@piiinkDeluxe]

@@jumsaesiaw6890 😄😄

[@andromededp5316]

That, plus the stress, the adrenaline, and holding yourself upside down underwater, it really takes a strain on the body and the brain

[@kawaii80yo]

I do this so much in the water and personally never experienced this

[@getplaning]

I worked as a lifeguard in college and had to pull a few people off the bottom of the deep end. But I was rested and ready to dive in and bring those people up. I can't imagine how hard it must be to be at your limit of endurance and then realize you have to pull a drowning person off the bottom yourself. Total respect.

[@user-uo9kf1sx5o]

Thanks for sharing! It helps people like me, who can't even swim, imagine the sort of strain it puts on the body

[@debvoltolina6143]

Didn’t you use a rescue tube , it makes all the difference in the world

[@debvoltolina6143]

@@user-uo9kf1sx5oyou should take swimming lessons ! My grammie learned to swim in her 50s

[@lottie-bu2jn]

@@debvoltolina6143 not when pulling someone from the bottom

[@hellofriend545]

With all that adrenaline, and being so used to holding your breath, and being so caught up in the moment, I can imagine hypoxia could sweep in so suddenly and unexpectedly for even the most experienced swimmers!

[@737smartin]

What a POOR job of explaining and adding perspective by this media piece! OBVIOUS unanswered question left unaddressed: How frequent is this happening? What are the long term health consequences? What’s the exact medical situation (water inhalation? CPR required?…) Are there rule or scoring changes? 🤨

[@Trigger200284]

@@737smartinmost certainly water inhalation. She would have been fighting the spasm to inhale long before blackout.

[@lizard-breathOG]

Used to be a life guard and the more muscle & less fat someone has, the harder they are to save. I’m so glad that lady jumped in so quick

[@lobomalsano]

to save from what exactly?

[@mfraye12]

@@lobomalsano Fat is buoyant, muscle is dense. Someone with mostly muscle and little fat will sink faster and be harder for whoever initially reaches them to bring to the surface quickly.

[@lobomalsano]

@@mfraye12 a more dense person may sink faster, but bringing them up, the more weight (mass), the harder

[@mfraye12]

@@lobomalsano Not really, no. Apparent weight in the water is affected by buoyancy. Someone who's, say, normally 170 pounds and has very little body fat will feel heavier and be harder to bring to the surface compared to someone who is 170 pounds with lower muscle mass and a higher amount of proportional body fat.

[@lizard-breathOG]

@@lobomalsano fat is buoyant, muscle is not. No matter how deep they are, it would be easier to save a fat person of 200 pounds versus a muscled person of 200 ibs. The fat will help the person float to the top easier because fat is less dense than water. Muscle is more dense than water so it will have a harder time getting raised to the top. Fat is kinda like a pool noodle, muscle is kinda like a rock lol

[@dorklyasmr6017]

As awful as that situation with Alvarez was, it totally transformed people's understanding of how challenging this sport is. Now few people think of it as a goofy thing, but a truly impressive sport with real risks.

[@superbabeuk]

I think of it as a goofy thing with real risks

[@Scocia]

They should have scuba divers at the ready to facilitate a rescue. Just the coach alone is not enough! The sports at the Olympics have become so dangerous and in some cases hard to watch!

[@Def.Not.Scarlett.]

There are lifeguards, but since in artistic swimming there are increased point values for extended underwater times, the lifeguards may not know if that is part of the routine and they don’t want to ruin the routine(sorta ridiculous i know). The coach would know that the prolonged underwater time was not a part of the routine so they are normally the first person to jump in the water to rescue the athlete.

[@Freeyourself206]

@@Def.Not.Scarlett.that does not address the underwater scuba team. They can see if a body has gone lifeless or is stinking to the bottom right away whereas a lifeguard above water can thing go, they are underwater doing part of routine. There should be mandatory underwater scuba team members at all times for any water sport.

[@KeishaJohnson32]

Yes like on Survivor

[@yvonne2965]

@@Freeyourself206definitely sounds like a good idea 👍🏼

[@Coco-zu9ob]

I couldn't believe only one person jumped in. From the clip it looked like the EMTs were right there so that was good.

[@JBaxter-pi8oj]

Relieved to hear that she is ok. Best wishes to everyone involved in this sport. Considering it's usually dismissed as being not much of a sport, it's good to see this report on the dangers involved. The athletes make it look so easy and that's where the artistry comes in. Thank you!

[@cathynewyork7918]

It is NOT a real sport - it is just silly. I am sorry the young ladies had difficulty, but it IS a silly sport.

[@JBaxter-pi8oj]

@@cathynewyork7918 I suggest you give it a try if you think it silly. And sports are meant to be done by all of us, not just viewed from the comfort of our sofas. It's easy to criticize but to all critics I say, give it a try, first, and then see what you have to say.

[@cathynewyork7918]

@@JBaxter-pi8oj I have RUN 29 MARATHONS and am currently training for another New York City Marathon this November, so I am not just on my sofa. I also do enjoy swimming, both in swimming pools and natural lakes while on hiking and camping trips. But this synchronized swimming is just DUMB!!!

[@cathynewyork7918]

@@JBaxter-pi8oj How rude of you to just assume I am only sitting on my sofa. I have run 29 marathons and am training for another New York City Marathon this November. I also do regular swimming - just NOT "dumb swimming."

[@JBaxter-pi8oj]

@@cathynewyork7918 Calm down. This isn't about you except for your demeaning those amazing swimmers because you think it silly. Congratulations on running those marathons. Why do you get to decide what's real swimming and what's not? The Olympics originally began because it was a version of war games. It has evolved to invite all nations to participate in the glory of sport. I do not consider such activities as golf to be a sport but a leisure activity. The first marathon had a far more desperate (as I'm sure you know) origin. The fact that you started getting upset because you thought you were being insulted is one of the reasons the world is in such dire straits. I don't know you nor do you know me. If you think a sport silly that's fine but if you're looking at this video then you must have had an interest in it. But you didn't have to add a rather insulting comment to these athletes who spend time, effort and risk their lives for their sport. Best wishes for your continued running success.

[@jamielancaster01]

I remember this she had a seizure! And this was the second time she had a seizure doing her routine. Her coach also saved her that time.

[@kennymichaelalanya7134]

Yeah I experienced a seizure one time like ten years ago. It's impossible to breathe and I saw rays of lightning as my eyes were opening and closing very rapidly. And after it was finished, I felt my face and it was cold as if I were in a freezer . I felt super tired (mind you this happened in the morning) and I took a nap and I felt better afterwards.

[@florianmeier3186]

The risks could be limited by setting the rules in a way not to score higher for extended underwater times and educate athletes and coaches in knowledge from freediving about blackout prevention and treatment.

[@alainbellemare2168]

Life is risky

[@dafonseca1971]

Agree. And some points deduction or even DQ if fail to acomplish.

[@adey126]

@@alainbellemare2168Doesn’t mean you add to it unnecessarily.

[@evalynn1863]

@@alainbellemare2168 There are limitations and banned move in just about every other competitive sport because we recognize that it's unsafe to allow people to push themselves past their limits in competition. She could have easily died. That was not a necessary risk to take for a medal and should absolutely be limited.

[@wesleytwiggs7687]

But then what’s the point of the sport?

[@azimus1776]

The coach's decisive move makes her a freaking hero in my mind. So many people realize something is wrong but don't act. She acted. God bless her.

[@who8dapple]

For the sacrifices and dedication of the athletes, coaches and family, no matter who you represent, God Bless and good luck!

[@a.marcoux4274]

Scary. So glad that coach jumped in and saved her.

[@johannesincalifornia]

I suspect that extra point are given if they do stay extra long times under water. So the blame may be with the rules of the game.

[@haleymj553]

I've pulled a team member out of the water before. It was after her solo spacing run the day before the competition, she was pushing herself so hard and as soon as the routine was done she just started to sink. She didn't lose consciousness but she started to sink and had no strength left, myself and another teammate were sat at the edge of the deck closest when we noticed and we dove in for her. Thankfully she didn't take in any water and recovered to compete the next day.

[@pallavisharma1649]

Glad she is fine. I took my daughter off synchronized swimming team, as she was bullied by her teammates and even worse by their parents, for being the only brown girl in white team. And she is such a humbl sweet girl! Sorry Sc aquamaid for speaking out the fact!

[@pallavisharma1649]

And also, 2 girls have back to back head collision under water, my daughter had concussion. One coach couldn’t identify. As she was a baby coach herself. Thank God, the other coach saw it. And made her sit. It’s very dangerous sports!

[@MLK7788]

Ur saying ur daughter was bullied for having brown skin?? Where in the world do u live?

[@tlynns7313]

​@@MLK7788it's a sad reality. They could literally live anywhere. People with hatred will always find a way to act on their hate.

[@futuremelina]

​@@MLK7788 where do you live where people don't get bullied for the color of their skin? Must be a fantasy land

[@tiffany7985]

My sister did synchro and was bullied and excluded for being too short. They really expect you to fit a certain mould.

[@urgreatestenemy]

There are risks in many sports when people push the boundaries of what is possible there is a risk of going over the line into dangerous territory.

[@cathynewyork7918]

But this is NOT a sport. It's just a silly exercise.

[@coleorum]

@@cathynewyork7918 Not as silly as your comment.

[@cathynewyork7918]

@@coleorum It is MORE silly than my comment.

[@bryanbryan2968]

It is not silly when you can get hurt. I have heard that it is more dangerous inside your own house, too, though, than outside. Anytime you get thrown up into the air, the unexpected can happen.

[@cathynewyork7918]

@@bryanbryan2968 But inside our own houses is a "necessary risk" even though we can fall down a flight of stairs and get killed in the fall (which is what happened to donald trump's ex-wife Ivana) - but this stupid synchronized swimming is NOT a necessary risk as living in our own homes is.

[@raidazz1]

Respect to you ladies

[@eboneetyler9458]

Heart felt

[@gerasimosgrekos6219]

Τρομακτικό θέαμα να βλέπεις έναν άνθρωπο να χάνει τις εσθισεις του μέσα νερό μπροστά σε κόσμο 😢

[@Shineynsparkles]

That’s scary

[@grandma460]

This amount of athleticism is beyond impressive. On top of Beauty and creativity. I do agree with the one commenter that athletes shouldn’t be allowed to stay under so long.

[@vlovesred9555]

This incredibly scary situation probably reinforced the need for all swimmers to be trained in lifeguarding, and CPR. ❤

[@arrow9293]

This is what I was thinking. At least if your at a high level you should have some training in rescues. You might be someone’s knight when rescuing them, when you’re the first one to pick up that something has gone wrong. It could happen so fast as well. Should probably know how to do eggbeater for some amount of time too, at least with your legs. I learned about it in Bronze Medallion, which is preparation for Bronze Cross & then life saving or teaching swimming to kids. Even if you don’t do more than Bronze Medallion rescues, once you get to a certain level you should have the basic rescues in deep water as well because the dynamics changes.

[@jude1515]

That’s scary. I’m glad she’s ok now. ❤️🙏🏼

[@sheyshah2848]

There should ALWAYS be lifeguards in scuba gear underwater, monitoring the swimmers to ensure their safety. No excuses.

[@Roddy556]

I honestly did not think a person could do that to themselves. I guess it takes Olympic level dedication.

[@ksleezer6753]

These swimmers hold their breath 1-3 minutes at a time while doing aerobic activity. That is far more than the 20 seconds mentioned at the 1:40 mark. Maybe the narrator meant to say 120 seconds.

[@SarahCoffeeTime]

I held my breath just watching this 3 minute story! I cannot relax at all watching how long they are underwater. Thankfully teammates are watching each other’s backs!

[@ikachan9161]

Highly respected

[@brookehodge135]

My heart went into afib during competitive swimming. Swimming is very hard on the body. Glad the coach was fast to jump in.

[@cebolls]

Amazing Andrea ❤

[@shannonclark8313]

I thought with these kind of water events they would have lifeguards in the water just in case something happens so as to get to the athletes faster

[@RERTOxCRAFT]

They need a limit of 15 seconds max

[@nathanmwape5261]

That's the true definition of coach

[@englishmadcow7461]

That could've been so different. Coaches don't get enough praise. Glad the swimmer had someone keeping a close eye on her.

[@johannaavila7063]

Increíble reacción de la entrenadora ❤

[@benkeel2966]

This is why "RayGun" was such a disgrace to the Olympics. These other Olympians gave all.😢❤

[@MiaEvans-ml8kq]

I’m sobbing literal tears I bet that was so scary

[@flat6fever680]

Does anyone know if part of the training for these swimmers includes life saving practice scenarios of lifting an an object or weighted mannequin up from the bottom of a deep pool like this? As the coach said she was quite heavy with no oxygen in her body.

[@SoOthersMayLiveandStuff]

Same thing would happen from time to time at Rescue Swimmer School in the Navy. Sobering business…

[@chantzukit681]

whats the baserate?

[@ewave9643]

Savage athlete to go under like that. Like when a fighter doesn’t tap and just goes out. Dedicated af

[@志瑜杨]

This is why they have lifeguards at the Olympics. Medical events happen to anyone, even olympians.

[@WestOfEarth]

and to think I got winded taking a bath today....Glad she recovered ! Very impressed with the athleticism here.

[@smja5768]

Before was healthy to do sports.. These days is much pressure and who knows what else on athletes that is very dangerous to be professional athlete.

[@EricaEarth]

wow! I had no idea that this sport is hard, it looks sooooo easy!

[@Dannysoutherner]

Drowning in front of cameras and a huge crowd must be a serious downer. Glad she was brought back.

[@elmensajero7295]

Why dont post the video of the RESCUE instead snapshots???????????

[@SergeiGochar]

Im guessing this is shallow water blackout????

[@amersklain4706]

Hypoxia, maybe?

[@HereForTheComments990]

Extreme physical exertion on very limited air intake. This athlete is a little more prone to passing out, as this is not the first time her coach has saved her.

[@Hornetmelli]

Pienso que en deportes como este, los socorristas deberían ser atleta recién retirados que han competido en el mismo estilo, por que al igual que su entrenadora supo al instante que es lo que ocurría, un socorrista no lo puede saber, por que no sabe si es un accidente o un ejercicio hasta que ya lleva un buen rato bajo el agua, de esta manera a los atletas recién retirados se les puede alagar la vida trabajado profesionalmente en lo que siempre les ha gustado y por supuesto eliminar esa ley absurda, de que un arbitro te diga cuando puedes o no tirarte al agua a salvar a un deportista.

[@marjcabal5510]

Its very challenging sports

[@jamesonhills266]

its important to breathe when youre doing those underwater dance routines😮 and all the acrobatics involved

[@BootsofBlindingSpeed]

What's with the slide-show??

[@suchadarkworld435]

Glad all is well❤

[@DanielaPagani-bi6ez]

I understand you perfectly...I know very well the risk of this smiling and cruel sport

[@DanielaPagani-bi6ez]

I had the same experiance during a competition...I still remember the panic and I still remember why it s happened...because in many times coachs and athletes want to go over the limits over the natural process of body capacities. It s normal in a agonistic space but I think that sometimes BREATHING it s much more important. Thank you for asking me

[@HereForTheComments990]

@@DanielaPagani-bi6ez It’s one of the frustrating things about a lot of sports dominated by women. Because of the emphasis on the artistry and beauty, people don’t realize just how taxing, hard, and dangerous these sports actually are.

[@DanielaPagani-bi6ez]

@@HereForTheComments990totally agree

[@pansysutton4689]

I'm glad she was ok.

[@SW-vu5zh]

All I can think of when watching this is a Cinderella story where the step sisters do this.

[@englishmadcow7461]

My brother drowned cos his friends didn't know what to do. Please educate your kids about water safety.

[@angejmurphy]

Twenty seconds at a time, uh sorry it’s way longer for some figures!

[@janeflip1]

Wow!

[@MrFinch-ni5mk]

Damn. Scary AF!

[@bradlloyd6261]

Thanks for helping us understand what the hell happened what you did not lousy report

[@MP-qb6lv]

Where are the life guards 😢😢😢

[@headlesschicken99]

Not at the Crossfit games, that's for sure..

[@primadonna2819]

These girls are such incredible athletes!

[@shaunwarburton6957]

these poor women, can we save them. How about we change the safety regulations so they must use diving equipment. Safety is priority.

[@JuliaJuanaAlvarez]

Instead of interviewing the athlete herself or the coach they used two randome athletes that had nothing to do with the situation. Thanks for wasting 3 minutes of my life

[@Karl-v6j]

That looked terrifying.

[@mhick3333]

In thev1970s after a water polo game there was a body on the bottom

[@grandma460]

How horrible!!

[@iole96792]

Scary!

[@OhMyPearls]

Must not forget you are playing in a dangerous medium. Playing with fire sounds so much worse than playing with water.

[@sir404]

They show everything else

[@1105pitbull]

Did the teammate recover on the Canadian team

[@ntabon0219]

❤❤❤

[@mopnem]

Way not to show the actual video...pointless for "drama" I guess.

[@Royalrights]

Thought she was about to get hit with the 1000 years of pain based on the thumbnail. Different kind of danger.

[@lilannegirl03]

glad she ended up being ok...apparently that wasn't the first time she fainted in a competition, though 😳

[@1957DD]

Thank god my sister is ok

[@brandonhultgren5776]

From the thumbnail I thought this was going to be a joke about a poke in the bum.

[@THE.Mr.Potato]

That thumbnail though 😂

[@theultimatereductionist7592]

Not worth it. Sports, medals, Olympics not worth it.

[@aske1602]

Bravo to the coach. However, they could not have chosen a worse thumbnail for this video.

[@DoggosAndJiuJitsu]

The what of what?

[@BrenB125]

I hate being in water.

[@jerry171460]

I thought safety comes first.

[@neonblack211]

Why tf did they not have people on standby to pull anyone who passes out in the pool that’s rediculous

[@karloyu3484]

💙

[@rosesacks7430]

Body without oxygen, new phrase for me

[@fairygal8223]

Terrifying!!!

[@rodneynoble6046]

So was she too locked in and ignored her body and accidentally drowned herself?

[@jk11463]

I never knew

[@joanie3626]

After the jab ?

[@1dontknow4321]

For a minute I thought they were adding sharks to the event.

[@froggybug]

Did she have a seizure? Stroke?

[@HereForTheComments990]

No. She just passed out. This is an extreme sport that requires huge amounts of effort with limited air intake. It happens.

[@froggybug]

@@HereForTheComments990 oh wow! Never knew that was a thing. It looks amazing though.

[@mmr6825]

Being athletic is bad because more weight more muscle more difficult to save

[@roybatty6368]

These women are supreme athletes

[@flytheater]

Are they feeding these athletes

[@JohnFEELS]

Drowning is serious she could have died you dont stop breathing underwater

[@YoshiEaterX]

Now, imagine if the coach, was a bear.