Expert: Walter Hintz - 4/25/2009

Question
I have a rather interesting question.  I'm not going to get into how I derived at this question, but I really can't find a good answer on the internet.  So provided that the water is kept at a chlorine around your standard swimming pool and the temperature warm enough to not cause hypothermia and comfortable enough to not be too warm, how long can a person stay in the water with no ill effects?  They won't be underwater all the time, most likely would be swimming around.  I understand a slight case of atrophy would occur, but at what rate?  Also, the person would be swimming around without the use of a wet suit.  Most likely in a standard swimsuit.

Answer
Hi Sam; I am not surprized that you cannot find a good answer to this question.  The main problem is the energy source and water intake.  If the person has a sufficient supply of food and water the stay could be indefinite. If the person has to stay afloat constantly and not stand up then fatigue would limit the stay.