Triathlons might not be the most common tourist attraction for casual travelers. But sports maniacs like you would never miss an opportunity to exercise outdoors. When you experience new terrain and scenic beauty, it’s rather impossible to contain the triathlete in you.
Serious injuries and other medical conditions are usually very common with triathletes. Many health and support professionals count a triathlon as a hazardous sports activity due to the risks involved. Triathlon travel insurance becomes extremely important when participating in such activities, as it can provide a financial safety net in case you experience any unexpected accidents or injuries.
Travel Insurance for Triathlons
There are plenty of serious health hazards involved in doing a triathlon. If you’re planning to do a triathlon overseas, then travel insurance for a triathlon is a must-buy, as it is a quite risky activity. When buying triathlon hazardous sports travel insurance, keep these factors in mind:
- Most standard travel insurance plans exclude coverage for potentially hazardous activities like running a triathlon. Be sure to read the fine print of your plan before purchase so you know you have the appropriate coverage. If you need travel insurance for an Ironman triathlon, be sure the plan can cover it.
- Make sure the coverage includes emergency medical evacuation benefits.
Triathlon Basics
A triathlon is a multi-discipline sport that consists of running, cycling, and swimming. It’s a great way to keep fit and active via the explosive energy required for the activities. Triathlon events and training sessions are a great entry point for beginners.
A triathlon’s distance and difficulty level vary according the age and gender of the participants. You can choose a “sprint” triathlon or an Ironman Triathlon, depending on your ability. Commonly, a triathlon consists of swimming for 750 meters (2,460 feet), cycling for 20 kilometers (about 12.4 miles), and running for 5 kilometers (about 3.1 miles).
Your body is tested to its limits across these three disciplines. Apart from explosive strength, you need to have enduring stamina and the tenacity to deal with fatigue. Your muscles will reach almost to the point of failure if you’re not in good practice.
Risks of Triathlon
A triathlon is one of the toughest sporting events, and as such, it poses many potential health hazards. Hazardous sports travel insurance for triathlons prevents unnecessary costs from burning a hole in your pocket. Here are the various risks of participating in a triathlon:
- The core temperature of the body may fall below 32 degrees Celsius (89.6 degrees Fahrenheit), stopping heat production in the body. Fatal arrhythmias and unconsciousness can occur under these circumstances.
- Injuries through trauma and unintended collisions are also very common. Injuries can be either superficial (cuts, scrapes, and bruises) or deep (ligament, tendon, bone) tissue damage.
- Swims usually take place in a freshwater river/lake or a sheltered area of the ocean. A significant number of medical problems can arise despite swimming being the shortest component of the triathlon.
- Although the dangers of jellyfish and sharks appear more immediate, there is a chance of bacterial infection, too. Leptospirosis and schistosomiasis are commonly related to swimming in freshwater lakes and rivers.
- Cycling hazards like traumatic injuries and hyperthermia can be grueling for many triathletes. Once out of the water, you will be required to cycle for a very long distance. An athlete’s body may even reach up to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) due to excessive heat production.
- Exhaled gas, urine, and sweat lead to loss of fluids from the body. If you don’t consume enough water, you may get dehydrated. A mixture of electrolytes, glucose, and water is generally recommended.