Last year I came close to drowning because of massive cramping at the end of a one-hour training in open water. The frightening part is that it took myself a lo

Last year I came close to drowning because of massive cramping at the end of a one-hour training in open water. The frightening part is that it took myself a long time to realize I was drowning: I probably was a bit drowsy from hypothermia. I remember going through 'left foot cramping, just continue, you'll be fine' all the way through cramping up of my upper legs & finally abdomen until I realized I was in trouble. I concur that once you are in trouble it is very difficult to signal anything to bystanders. Lessons learned: swim parallel to the coastline & don't swim alone. When you start to cramp up start to swim more conservatively, change styles, when it gets really bad, assume a fetal position & focus on floating, don't try to swim. The cramps will eventually go away, then you can slowly start moving again. Watch out for hypothermia.