Surviving an Apocalypse: The Swimmer's Edge

We have all casually thought about the way that the world will end.

Whether you think we are going to blow ourselves up, that the population is going to get overrun by zombies, or that climate change will continue unchecked, swimmers will fair relatively well when it comes to facing an apocalypse.
Breaking down some of the science about the changing status of the world will help us see why swimming may not only help you keep in shape, but it might help you survive catastrophe.
 

Nuclear War

So why will swimmers have an advantage?  Well besides lead, water is THE BEST source for shielding from nuclear radiation! So, if you see the white flash of a nuclear weapon, dive into the water.
In fact, most reactors are surrounded by a huge pool of water to make them safer and protect workers from radiation exposure.
Radiation functions by a law of decay based on half-life.  The more water that radiation has to travel through, the more half-lives it loses.  To be safe, we recommend swimming at least 3 feet underwater to avoid radiation.
Now, you may have to stay down there awhile, so bring an oxygen tank and your waterproofed iPod. Or come up for a quick breath and dive back down.
If you are one of the millions of people who don’t have access to a lead shelter or concrete buildings, water is going to be the best way to protect yourself from nuclear radiation.
 

Zombie Apocalypse

Remember the zombie attacks of 2013?  Turns out that people were huffing bath salt, but the stories about human beings turning on their own species became extremely real.
Depending on what strain breaks out and starts turning our loved ones into brain eaters, you will either have to avoid the water entirely or use it as part of your escape route.
Avoiding the water may be necessary if the strain of bacteria, virus, or fungi that is warping people into the walking dead is a water transmitted disease.  We see many of these in our current society such as Cholera, Dysentery, and Polio. Hopefully, you will know enough about the zombie strain to determine whether or not you should dive in.
If the water is safe from infection, swimming may be one of the best ways to avoid getting your brains eaten.
Due to the decomposition of the internal organs within a dead body, a zombie’s only hope on the water would be to float.
All those gases building up inside the belly would mean that they are UNABLE TO DIVE underwater.  So, if you are looking for a way to ditch your pursuer, jump into a body of water and let the evil creature lose you to the murky currents deeper down.
You will then be out of reach for a zombie and you can swim to safety.
 

Global Climate Change

One of the most likely scenarios for the future is due to the changing nature of the world.  Many scientists have predicted that a likely event for the Earth’s future is the melting of the polar ice caps.
With continued use of fossil fuels that create heat trapping gases in the atmosphere, the standard temperature of the arctic zones has gone up.
The ice caps have already begun to crack and melt. This will flood the rest of the world with water and many areas that are currently ‘above sea level’ will then be covered by feet of water.
Yes, you will hopefully have enough time to move out of a neighborhood that is predicted to go underwater, as the change should be gradual.  However, with more water covering the earth, swimmers can definitely benefit and thrive in this type of society.
 

Left in the WRECKAGE

San Francisco may be underwater, but you can still go to the city and dive for buried treasures that are left behind!
Also, the threat of a rising water level will not spook you nearly as much as it could others, which means you will be able to live in cheaper housing along the shore! Who wouldn’t want a waterfront property?