Why didnt they just swim to the cornucopia?

[Jessica]

Maybe the mines were built into their podium stands. Then plausibly, they would still go off if someone jumped into the water ahead of time.

[Shannon]

They probably didn't want to take any chances. Besides if there was nothing then they kinda sas the Capitol and that's why they where back in the arena to begin with because Katniss sassed the Capitol

[Cara]

Jessica wrote: "Maybe the mines were built into their podium stands. Then plausibly, they would still go off if someone jumped into the water ahead of time."

I agree. The Capitol would have manipulated the mines to make sure that no one jumped ahead of time. (They are the Capitol, after all). And even if they hadn't, I doubt anyone would risk it. The Gamemakers would probably have killed them off as soon as possible anyway.

[Kimberly]

I thought the water would shock you if you jumped off before then...but then again I read the books fast so idrk

[Heaven is a bookstore]

Jessica wrote: "Maybe the mines were built into their podium stands. Then plausibly, they would still go off if someone jumped into the water ahead of time."

This was my thinking on the mines

[Heaven is a bookstore]

Shannon wrote: "They probably didn't want to take any chances. Besides if there was nothing then they kinda sas the Capitol and that's why they where back in the arena to begin with because Katniss sassed the Capitol"

Being that they were all previous Hunger Games players, they probably took the time to assess the new arena.

[Siobhan]

I think the fact they were banking on only district four being able to swim was what kept them on their podiums, even Katniss was hesitant.

[Kimberly]

Kaylee wrote: "What if one of the contestants brought something with them ( like the Mockingjay pin – I forgot exactly what they are called. The one thing they can bring with them?) into the arena, then broke it ..."

They almost didn't let Katniss bring her mockingjay pin into the games because they thought it might be enough to kill or hurt someone unfairly... They don't let them take stuff into there if it's going to give them an I fair advantage...

[Sophie]

I reckon the podium stands they were on had pressure plates that were only be deactivated after 60 seconds - otherwise the second they jumped off the stand would explode, taking them with it.

[Bennett]

Maybe it wasn't specifically explosives. The Gamemakers could send a Kracken after the person who steps off to quick. LOL :) But the podium exploding sounds more reasonable.

P.S. Who's to say the water couldn't have explosives? There could be little bombs anchored in the water that would go off