How many hours would it be possible for a person to swim for in the open ocean, if in life or death scenario?

Question

My question focuses more on time rather than actual distance. The person in the scenario being around 17-23 years of age and not proportionally to fat or to skinny for their height (5'8 135, 6'0 160 ext) wanted it to be clear I wasn't talking about the average person. (Which nowadays, the average person is horribly out of shape) Talking about a young person in moderately good shape, and with moderate swimming experience.

Answer 1

It all depends on if they are a good swimmer in the ocean. Also swimming in the ocean is about 100 times harder than swimming in a pool, because of currents taking you every way. Also if there are sharks and other creatures around you, you may not survive that long!! Another thing is your determination to get to land, that counts a lot! If you are about 2 miles away from land you could probably do it. But any further you may not be able to.

Hope this helped

Answer 2

roughly 2.5 miles at my guess

Answer 3

Depends:  Ocean water is extremely cold and salty. There are waves - and good luck if the person is in a "shipping lane" where all those huge tankers etc go by. Plus the sharks of course. Then, even if a person is a great swimmer and all conditions are "nice", tiredness will eventually set in. So, my answer is: not long.