Abilities Lead To Epic Swim

[NEPACIL]

Quick, how long would it take for someone who is a quadruple amputee
to swim 21 miles? Try 13 1/2 hours.

Philippe Croizon, lost his limbs in an electrical accident, didn't let
his abilities be wasted. His team expected it would take around 24
hours.

He said after, ""I've done this for myself, for my family, and for all
those who have suffered tragedy and lost their taste for life."

It was the latest and most spectacular achievement by a man whose
limbs were amputated after an electrical accident 16 years ago.
Croizon's attitude to the disability is summed up by his memoir, which
is entitled J'ai Décidé de Vivre, meaning 'I decided to live'.

In March 1994, Croizon – then a metalworker – climbed a ladder to
dismantle a television aerial on his roof and it touched a power line.
A shock of 20,000 volts nearly killed him and caused injuries which
necessitated the removal of his arms and legs.

In hospital, he watched a TV documentary about swimming the Channel
and fixed upon his eventual ambition. He has spent the last two years
honing his swimming technique, spending around 30 hours each week in
the waters off France's Atlantic coast.

He propels himself using long flippers attached to the stumps of his
legs, with attachments on his arms helping him to steer and a mask and
snorkel to breathe.

The method lets him average about two miles per hour."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/19/quadruple-amputee-swims-channel