Triton Brewing Company (www.tritonbrewing.com) is excited about the opportunity to sponsor the inaugural Triton Brewing Indiana Triathlon Series managed by Muncie Multi-Sport (MMS). After many months of discussion, both groups believe this partnership will be great for the sport and for Indiana. It is Triton’s hope that our partnership with MMS will take triathlons in Indiana to the next level.

We are not going to unveil all of our secrets for the year, but here are just a few tastings that we are brewing up for this inaugural season:

Tri Beer: Brewmaster Jon Lang is crafting a special brew for the Indiana Triathlon Series. This “tri” beer will be available at Indiana Triathlon Series events and the brewery.

Series Kickoff Celebration: Triton is hosting a Series Kickoff Celebration for all triathletes on April 14, 2012. All individual athletes and triathlon clubs are welcome to attend this celebration. The staff at Triton will be providing a tour of the facility and the inaugural tasting of the tri beer. There will also prize drawings including race giveaways.

Transition Party: Between the June 9 and July 28 races, Triton will be having a Transition Party. What better way to transition from the first part of the Series into the second part of the Series.

Post-Race Recovery: Triton understands the hours of commitment and dedication for all triathletes. Following each race, athletes and volunteers are invited to attend a Post-Race Recovery Party at a central Indiana restaurant. This is a great chance for athletes and their friends and family to celebrate their accomplishments from the day.

Lawrence Triathlons: The inaugural Series will have two races in Lawrence, Indiana (May 26 and September 22). The races are just blocks away from the brewery located on Fort Benjamin Harrison at 5764 Wheeler Road. Triton hopes that everyone will sign up for both of these races and then finish off the race with some post-race beverages at Triton.

These events are only but a few tastings that Triton is serving up for the 2012 Triton Brewing Indiana Triathlon Series. Stay on top of these events by “liking” Triton and MMS on Facebook, and by registering today for one, or all eight of the 2012 triathlons on MMS’s website at www.munciemultisport.com.

If your club is interesting in hosting a social event, private tasting, or just want to bring the team over after a brick workout at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, feel free to contact the brewery at 317-735-2706 and give us a heads up.

Until then, remember to raise a glass and celebrate your accomplishments with friends and we look forward to meeting each of you during the Triton Brewing Indiana Triathlon Series.

Cheers!

The Crew at Triton Brewing

Active Voice: Triathlon Swim Deaths: Initial Steps Toward Prevention
By Rudy Dressendorfer, P.T., Ph.D., FACSM

Viewpoints presented in SMB commentaries reflect opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect positions or policies of ACSM.

Rudy Dressendorfer, P.T., Ph.D., FACSM is an accomplished scientist, educator and clinician with a career focused on clinical exercise physiology. He is an ACSM Program Director and has served on ACSM’s certification and education committee. He retired as full professor of human performance and sport at New Mexico Highlands University and subsequently taught exercise physiology and did collaborative research with faculty at the University of Alberta in Canada. Currently, he practices sports medicine as a licensed physical therapist in California. Rudy has published extensively on physical conditions, injuries and related prevention strategies for endurance athletes. He also has direct experiences with these issues, as he is a highly successful amateur triathlete.

A disturbing number of drownings have occurred during triathlon swims in recent years: 14 deaths were reported between 2006 and 2008, and nine more in the summer of 2011. Prevention is indicated, but there is little certainty about the causes of these unexplained deaths. Drowning due to water inhalation could occur, given that physical contact during mass starts and pack swimming is the norm in triathlon races. However, rescue craft are typically close by, and trained swimmers usually tolerate catching a mouthful of water or missing a breath or two without the need for emergency help. In the absence of other limitations to breathing, ordinary drowning seems an unlikely cause for most triathlon swim deaths. Sudden cardiac death remains a possibility to be ruled out.

Profuse frothy hemoptysis (coughing up blood) was found in some of these cases, making acute pulmonary edema (APE) an apparent cause. In a recent report of three female triathletes, symptoms of APE (breathing restriction, cough, hemoptysis and rales) occurred within minutes of immersion (Pulm Med 2011;2011:261404. Epub 2011 Jun 1). The probable pathophysiological mechanism of APE in swimmers is elevated blood volume in the heart and lungs due mainly to immersion. The abnormally increased central vascular volume can produce high blood pressure in the lungs. Capillary hemorrhage then results from pulmonary overperfusion.

Contributors or triggers to the development of APE in the swim of a triathlon race might include whole-body immersion per se, cold water, face immersion, tight wetsuit, sudden physical exertion and any personal behavior that could raise central blood pressure on race morning, such as excessive hydration or anxiety. Upon immersion to the neck, hydrostatic pressure on the extremities and trunk forces more blood than usual into the chest, thereby increasing central vascular volume and blood pressure while altering regional lung volumes. Cold water enhances this effect on the cardiopulmonary circulation by causing cutaneous vasoconstriction and increasing venous return. Face immersion, especially in cold water, can dramatically slow heart rate, thereby prolonging diastolic filling time. A tight wetsuit around the chest and neck could further increase resistance to inspiration as well as alter arterial baroreflex function. Failure to warm up before the swim could increase the hypertensive response to immersion. Heightened stress because of an unfamiliar swim venue or darkness might raise plasma catecholamines and also increase blood pressure. In addition, drinking just before the swim will increase abdominal volume and thus augment the fluid shift into the chest upon immersion.

Assuming that APE is the correct diagnosis and can be prevented, the following seven precautionary steps are recommended to lessen the risk of triathlon swim deaths:

1. Warm up thoroughly before the swim to promote blood flow to the extremities.
2. Avoid wearing a wetsuit that restricts breathing or feels tight around the neck.
3. Submerge gradually and become comfortable with face immersion without competitive stress. If breathing difficulty is experienced on initial immersion, get out and jog in place.
4. Do an easy swim warm-up before the start. A preliminary swim will help redistribute the increased central blood volume that occurs with immersion. (Note, a 10-minute warm-up has become mandatory in the Auburn Triathlon (www.auburntriathlon.com/swim/swimindex.shtml).
5. Don’t overdrink within minutes before the swim start.
6. In the event of a panic attack discontinue the competitive effort, back float and signal for help until normal breathing is restored.
7. If possible, become habituated to the swim venue in advance, as this might attenuate race-day anxiety and its associated hyperventilation.