SWIMMING IN SAFETY

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 32, 7 February 1935, Page 22

SWIMMING IN SAFETY

LIFE-SAVING

HINTS TO BATHERS

(Contributed by the Department of

Health.)

. Everybody should know how to swim. As a means of exercise and enjoyment it is almost unequalled; as a factor of safety it may be a matter of life,and death. It should be the aim' of every person,- therefore, to learn to swim, and if opportunity occurs to belong to a life-saving club. . But, like everything else, swimming Is not an unmixed blessing; it can be abused, and is attended with danger, and so these few words of caution to swimmers. Where the swimming is done is a matter of importance. Strong tides, currents, and surf make dangers in some natural waters with which newcomers should acquaint themselves before venturing far from shore. The advice of those acquainted with the swimming conditions of the locality should:be,sought and followed, as one careless moment may cause a lifetime of regret The age, skill, and state of health of the swimmer should be taken into account, over-enthusiasm often being the cause of accidents or severe strain. Moderation is the greatest safeguard.. No matter what may be said to the contrary, a man of fifty is not what he was when a boy—especially as a swimmer—and his heart should be given a thought before the first plunge. Diving may be safe for young people, but older folfts will be wise if they take it easy.. Some people are to earache after swimming. They should wear caps, or, better still, keep their heads above water. Cramps, chills, and sunburn are by-products of swimming that may have serious aftereffects and should be avoided. As a general principle it is well to swim iiear other people who may be' useful in case of emergency. Wait at least an hour after eating before going into the water. Don't swim when overheated or tired. Rest up a bit first. ; WHEN IN TROUBLE. . If there be a strong outsetting tide and you are swimming by yourself, get on your back and float till help comes. Many a man exhausts himself by stemming the billows for' the shore on a back-going tide, when, if he had floated a boat or other aid might have been obtained. Even a non-swim-mer will not drown if he keeps his head, but he will perish if he becomes panic-stricken, or faints from shock. , If a life-saver is-not at hand, the , ability to swim and presence of mind are necessary,-states the chief secretary of the Royal Life-saving Society, London, in ari article which might be further quoted on this subject. The mere yelling for help empties the lungs, and they should be kept filled with air. Another wrong act is to throw the arms above the head. This deprives the body of its buoyancy margin and will submerge the nose and mouth. If only the arms and legs are kept moving under water, to enable the lungs to be filled with air. a person in difficulties can /safely shout until help arrives.. Any person who keeps his wits can learn to float, and this should be the first step in swimming instruction. Once the learner realises that the water is not a terrible bogy, but a friend able to provide pleasure, the swimming strokes are easily acquired. WHEN A; BODY SINKS. Many fatalities: would be averted if the signs of drowning were better known, states the same authority. The general belief that a drowning person must rise three times before he finally sinks is a fallacy. The question whether he rises at all.' or how often he does so, defends entirely upon circumstances.- While the victim is conscious he will struggle, but he gets feeble, and sinks as soon as he is insensible. The sinking is due to loss of air and the filling of the.stomach with water. HORSEPLAY IN THE WATER. ' A person is often drowned before those at hand realise the danger. All too. often friends deplore the fact that they could have helped if the urgency had been grasped.. They were not aware that the victim was really drowning. _ This is due, to the horseplay indulged in by most bathing parties. They duck each other, cry "Wolf!" ( and generally prance about. Soon every gasp or shout is regarded as part of the fun, and th~- terrible rapidity of drowning causes a tragedy. The first sign of difficulty is that the body is partially submerged and gives awkward lurches'in the effort to obtain air. "This movement has doubtless originated, the'idea that, a' drowning person sinks and rises. The person next gets panicky,' and the facial contortions and gurgles appear comical to' those worked up to a giggly frame of mind by the usual pranks of bathers. He: then goes down, and stays down. ■ A few ripples and bubbles will mark the spot for a few moments, then there is no surface sign. The happening has not coincided with preconceived ideas, and the spectators are stunned until too late. * WHAT TO DO. . The ability to swim, will not in itself qualify a person to rescue someone in danger of drowning. The attempt to do so often leads to a double tragedy. This is due to want of train.ing in the methods of release from the clutches' of a desperate drowning person ,and the way to carry the subject to land. All children should be taught to swim and save life. There :is then more chance of the right person being on hand when an accident occurs. No' time must be lost when a person is drowning. When he sinks he may be difficult .to find. But calm deliberation will accomplish more than heedless hurry. Unless the subject is very close, the few seconds lost in removing coat and boots are easily made up by increased speed attained in approaching the person, and •greater ease in supporting him. While heavy clothing is being removed the conditions can be considered, the nature of the tide or current, best landing place, assistance available, and so on. .This confidence, and the ability to justify it, is only instilled by practice in the methods taught by the Eoval Life-saving Society and closely followed by our New Zealand life-sav-ing organisations. "Advice as to the resuscitation of the apparently flrowned appeared in a previous article;