Over a month ago, Lazar Đukić tragically lost his life while competing at the first event of the 2024 CrossFit Games. Now, a panel of lifeguard specialists talked about the safety issues that occurred for this to happen, how it was preventable, and what should be done from now on.
NOTE: this discussion was recorded on August 13, 2024, and only includes the information available at that time – the reason for delaying the video: broken laptop.
The experts who got together to discuss this were:
The death of Lazar Đukić was a devastating reminder of the importance of safety in extreme physical events. But what exactly went wrong? How could such a preventable tragedy unfold in a setting designed for top-tier athletes? Today, we dive into the expert panel’s thoughts on this heartbreaking tragedy and how we can learn from it to prevent future accidents.
You can read the most important parts in our article, or watch the entire video below.
The Tragic Death of Lazar Đukić: What Happened?
- Tragedy occurred during the open-water swim at the 2024 CrossFit Games
- Lazar Đukić drowned, sparking questions about safety protocols
- Response from the CrossFit community and event organizers
It was a regular competition day at the CrossFit Games, a global event that tests the limits of human endurance. Athletes train for years to earn their spot, pushing themselves to the brink in every event. But in the swim portion, something went terribly wrong. Đukić entered the water after a gruelling run in the Texas heat, a combination that experts agree can be lethal. Despite lifeguards being present, his distress went unnoticed until it was too late.
How It All Happened Chronologically: Lazar’s Death and the Decision to Continue the CrossFit Games
As one expert put it, “My initial reaction was anger for the lack of awareness and supervision.” This sentiment echoed across the panel, with frustration directed at the lack of clear safety protocols and the apparent inexperience of the lifeguards on duty.
The Role of Lifeguards at CrossFit Events
- Lack of proper uniforms and visibility
- Questions about qualifications and training
- Comparison with triathlon standards
- Active drowning cues missed by lifeguards
It’s alarming to watch footage where “lifeguards” were supposed to oversee athletes during the swim portion of the event. Unlike lifeguards in triathlons who are highly trained and visibly equipped, these individuals were “not clearly visible, no uniforms, no kit that I could see.” This lack of standard safety measures raises the question—were they even trained to recognize the signs of drowning?
Lifeguarding isn’t just about standing near the water. In professional settings like triathlons, lifeguards are trained to spot early signs of distress. They should immediately respond to cues like “bobbing up and down, flailing under the water, and not making forward progress.” The concern here is not just that someone could drown, but that the people meant to save lives might not even notice it happening.
Athlete Safety: The Heat and Swim Combo
- Physiological stress of running before swimming
- Impact of Texas heat on athletes’ core temperature
- The risks of rapid cooling in cold water
Another major point of concern is the workout’s structure itself. Athletes were pushed to run in extreme Texas heat before immediately jumping into the water—a dangerous combination. As one expert put it, “You’re elevating your core body temperature and then plunging into cold water. It slows you down very immediately.” This type of stress could lead to serious physiological consequences, especially for athletes whose bodies are primarily trained for strength, not endurance.
The transition from hot to cold can make it feel like you’re swimming through glue. For athletes focused on muscle development rather than cardio endurance, this abrupt shift could lead to disorientation, exhaustion, and worse. The planners of this event didn’t seem to account for these risks. Were they aware of the effects this would have on athletes? Or was this simply an oversight?
Why Lifeguard Training and Certification Matter
- USA Triathlon standards for lifeguards
- The need for proper certifications
- Importance of recognizing distress and acting quickly
In professional endurance events like triathlons, there is a strict definition of what it means to be a lifeguard. They must be trained, certified, and capable of performing water rescues under pressure. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to have been the case at this CrossFit event. One observer made an excellent point: “Lifeguarding is not an activity, it’s a qualification.” Were these lifeguards just there to give an image of safety without the substance?
According to one expert, the lifeguards were low on the paddleboards and likely unable to have the head on a swivel that gives them a general awareness of what is happening at all times. “I couldn’t believe that the gentleman standing on the shore couldn’t see too.”
“It wasn’t saying anything that we saw active drowning – the definition of active drowning, bobbing up and down, and, you know, flailing under the water for not making forward progress. These are all cues that – when I did my study in the triathlon world – that were consistent across 22 lifeguards all across the United States It’s shocking to see that these are textbook cues.”
The glaring question remains: were these individuals even certified to perform rescues? The fact that textbook signs of distress were missed suggests that they might not have been. Lifeguards are meant to spot these signs early on, and in this case, they failed to act on clear indications of danger. This isn’t just a matter of oversight—it could have been the difference between life and death.
The Psychological Toll of Poor Safety Measures
- Impact on athletes’ performance when safety is questioned
- How trust in event safety affects mental focus
Beyond the physical risks, there’s also the psychological impact on athletes. When safety protocols appear lax, it affects the confidence and mental state of competitors. Imagine you’re in the middle of an exhausting swim, and you look up for reassurance—only to see that the lifeguards don’t even seem prepared. This kind of mental distraction could lead to hesitation, which in high-stakes competitions like CrossFit can be costly.

“If I don’t feel safe, I’m not going to perform my best,” commented one expert. Athletes rely on the event organizers to ensure their safety, but what happens when that trust is shaken? It can lead to hesitation, loss of focus, or even avoidable accidents.
Related: PFAA Demands for Dave Castro to Be “Removed from His Position”
Athlete Preparation: Are Competitors Ready for These Challenges?
- Differences between CrossFit athletes and traditional triathletes
- The physiological demands of endurance events
- Cultural attitudes in competitive sports and their impact on safety
One of the most striking discussions revolved around whether CrossFit athletes, many of whom specialise in strength-based disciplines, are adequately prepared for the unique demands of open-water swimming. CrossFit is about total fitness, but swimming in open water presents its own set of challenges, both physically and mentally.
“I’ve never seen a CrossFit gym with a pool,” one expert quipped. Although elite CrossFit athletes do train swimming, it is fair to say that getting in the water happens much less often than lifting barbells, doing gymnastics or running.
In fact, the swim portion of endurance events like triathlons is often the shortest, but also the most dangerous. Athletes accustomed to controlled environments might not fully grasp the unpredictability of open water.
What is the saddest part is that Lazar is an accomplished swimmer. He transitioned from water polo to CrossFit – this should indicate to you that, perhaps of all athletes who swam that day, he was one of the most skilled.

Solutions: How Do We Prevent Future Tragedies?
- Implementation of standardised safety protocols for open-water events
- Enhanced training for lifeguards and event staff
- Educating athletes on the risks of open-water swimming
So, what can be done to prevent future incidents like the tragic drowning of Lazar Đukić? The panel was unanimous in calling for more stringent safety measures, including mandatory, standardised training for all lifeguards working open-water events.
As one observer pointed out, “We want our lifeguards to stand out, they shouldn’t be blending in.” This training would ensure that all lifeguards, no matter their background, are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to keep participants safe.
Another solution lies in educating athletes themselves. Many competitors may not fully understand the risks of open-water swimming, especially when coming from different sports or environments. As one panellist pointed out, “We need to educate them about what the risk is, and let them know that… they deserve care.”

Equipment is another area where improvements are needed. Videos from the event showed individuals on paddleboards without visible rescue equipment. Having flotation devices, throw bags, or rescue tubes should be a bare minimum requirement for anyone tasked with water safety.
Finally, event planners need to consult with experts—whether from the triathlon world or other endurance sports—when designing workouts. Understanding the physiological toll that certain workout sequences take on athletes is crucial in preventing avoidable risks.
Conclusion
The tragic death of Lazar Đukić at the 2024 CrossFit Games is a sobering reminder of the importance of safety in extreme sports. The panel of experts highlighted critical areas where improvements are desperately needed, from better lifeguard training to a deeper understanding of the unique risks involved in open-water events.
While we can’t undo the tragedy, we can learn from it. The solutions offered by these experts provide a roadmap for making future events safer for both athletes and the professionals tasked with protecting them. It’s a call to action for event organisers, athletes, and safety personnel alike: we need to do better.
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Source link: https://www.boxrox.com/lifeguard-specialists-discuss-drowning-of-lazar-dukic-and-conclude-it-was-active-drowning-and-preventable/ by Robert Born at www.boxrox.com