Dear fellow swimmers
Don't panic: tips for staying cool in the heat of a race
I received an email this week from a reader who experienced a panic attack in the swim portion of a
triathlon. Panic isn't uncommon, especially near the start of an event. Safety crews will tell you that most rescues or withdrawals happen in the first few minutes.
Cold water shock, starting too fast, being unused to a wetsuit and general event-day mayhem can all contribute to feelings of breathlessness or panic. But knowing what's happening and why,
and practising to become more comfortable in open water, will make panic less likely. It's good too, to have a plan for what to do if you find yourself panicking. For more tips, read our article below.
