I am eternally grateful to a properly trained triathalon course observer who saw the signs and rescued me.<p>I was halfway through the swim portion (first segment) of a triathalon that required wetsuits.  Coming from warmer climes, I didn&#x27;t own one so I was fitted for a tri-suit at a pro shop two days before the event.  I trained a few times with it in a gym pool to get used to it, and I thought everything was good for race day.<p>But it turned out it was slightly too tight, and I could not quite inhale sufficiently.  Half-way across the Delaware river I remember remarking to myself that the waves were crashing over me; I was spending more time swimming under water than on the surface.<p>I wasn&#x27;t terrified, I just felt really weird.  It wouldn&#x27;t make sense - all this training and I can&#x27;t keep my head above the water?<p>I don&#x27;t remember passing out, but an observer was watching me from a kayak, and he hauled me to a rescue launch.  I hadn&#x27;t inhaled any water, all they had to do was yank open the zipper on my suit.<p>I guess I turned from blue back to pink and everybody had a good laugh, but I couldn&#x27;t thank that observer in the kayak enough.<p>I take a moment every now and then to thank those people who are trained and vigilant, standing station and ready to save us when we least expect it.