SWIMMING

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 54, 27 November 1929, Page 17

SWIMMING

'TEACHING IN SEA WATER

SOME VALUABLE HINTS

(By

“Stroke.”)

When the elementary course is given in sea water always provide a dry towel with Which to wipe the pupil’s face, as it is quite painful for the eyes at first, although undoubtedly good for weak eyes. In the game way seiGvvater lias a tendency to promote the How of mucus from the nostrils and bothers the young beginner. To lessen the trouble a good supply ot' paper handkerchiefs should be kept in a box at the side of the pool In*. which lessons are being given, another receptacle being kept covered for soiled handkerchiefs. This makes it pleasant for the pupil, and what is equally important, more sanitary for the other bathers. . The best time for young people to take lessons is between the hours of 10 a.m. and noon, as the outside temperature being more even at this time is not so likely to cause a chill; this precaution necessarily only applies to weak childreh. In the case of fearless pupils, it is advisable to proceed in a somewhat , similar manner to that described, after making due allowance for greater staying powers. With pupils ranging in age from six to ten, Quicker results will be obtained if several are taken in hand at one time. The instructor should always be in.-,the -water to demonstrate, following which the more advanced pupils should emulate the instructor’s particular movement, the other pupils following one lifter the other, such corrections being made as found necessary. In this manner the little friendly competition which will bo engendered materially assists the pupil’s progress. The same rule holds good with adults, especially ladies. In teaching sailors or soldiers, massed classes of fifty or more cap be given intructlon at a time. Our Children. Among the forgettable studies taught in the public schools of to-day are some which occupy considerable time and attention on the part of the scholars. A certain amount of mental training—pt mind discipline—is undoubtedly given in this way, so that comparative ignorance of these branches in after-life is not an entire loss.' But there is one thing that could well be made compulsory in the public schools, a part of every boy s and girl's education, aud something which they should all be compelled to learn not later than seven years of age. That something” is the art of swimming. iSwlmmlng is an accomplishment which is never forgotten. It is an insurance against losing one’s own life, and is often the means of saving the lives of others. It is. in addition, the best all-round exercise known, (even excelling hand-ball), since it brings Into play every muscle of the body. No amount of education will aid anyone who cannot swim, if he falls into deep water.

Thousands of promising lives are lost each year simply because the victims did not know how to swim. Every girl and boy should be at home in the water, the same as they are obliged to master the elementary' studiesin fact, swimming ought to be made a compulsory part of every child's education.

Correct Breathing. When pupils habc the rudiments of the stroke in mind, the finer points shomd be thoroughly explained, following which a full demonstration should be given of the importance of inhaling and gxliallng correctly. In order to demonstrate the buoyancy of the body with the lungs fully inflated, the Instructor should take a deep breath and get the pupil to try and force him down to the bottom of the pool, deflating slowly through the nose to show how heavy the body becomes when the air is exhaled. The action of breathing in swimming is reversed to that on land, mainly because the breath requires to be inhaled more rapidly. This is why it ;S drawn in through the mouth, being a naturally quicker action than through tlu. nostrils. Apart from this, the nostrils control the release of the air from tlrn lungs better than the mouth, acting as a perfect valve for controlling the breath during the time the stroke Is made. , At the same time any water is .Pjovtmtod from being drawn up the nostrils, vvhiui is one of the most unpleasant experiences a swimmer can have when lcaruin o , or iu deed at any other time. Pupils should be taught the correct method of breathing following the first lesson or two. Sometimes it will be metered at first, but In order to avoid too many explanations at the commenceinen . it will be found preferable to deal with this important matter by itself. In clas and land drills this should be carried out first being one of the main factors governing swimming. Very few seem to breathe correctly, even adults, unless they hate been taught singing, when they readily appreciate the importance of innatiDr, S"’ ™ arsw«. fnl advantage when resisting a noiu uuu« ministers the knock-out blow.

Care of Eyes and Ears. “as take more care of their ears an fa(l) the more robust loming within maintain tbat *j\ on fln t (1 a „ added pleasure this category will find an mm* i with such Protection. Cotton Piu» are cars should be avoided, B j m llar commade up with vaseline o c r ott B ™ ua^ r tici e s pound for keeping ceruminus from becoming attached to the ceru Sn ’ S lhe^tJd much care in their preparation, with tlie result that a small piece r( ™ a a ' cd in the right ear for nearly six mon hs setting up a septic condition. treatment gave but little relief, until the pain caused the patient to consult a specialist, who extracted a small piece or cotton from the drumhead or a uditory canal leading to same. This nay not be cniitf* the correct description, but serves to show how important this detail really iS There are many reasons why the ears should be properly protected, especially in the case of surf or sea swimming, due to sand and other extraneous matter held In suspension being carried or forced by pressure Into the canals and become lodged Sfter the water runs out. The sand or vegetable matter thus deposited beyond the reach of soap and water decomposes and sets up disorders necessitating medical attention. A little grain of sand has been known to destroy the ear drum by becoming lodged in the crevice of the canal surrounding the drum, contraction and expansion causing it to cut through that membrane and bringing on deafness. In surf bathing the side of the bead should never be turned to meet the impact of an oncoming wave, for if it catches one with delicate ears, a rupture of the drumhead and deafness may ensue, being similar in Its results to the pernicious habit of boxing a child’s ears. Pure soft rubber ear wads the the best, such ns will be described later in “A Swimmer’s Out-

(To bo continued next week.) ;