HINTS TO SWIMMERS.

Evening Star, Issue 7160, 14 March 1887, Page 3

HINTS TO SWIMMERS.

TO TUB EDITOH.

Sik,—" Laity Bather," in your Friday's issue, asks a most important question when she desires information as to how a swimmer should proceed to save a person from drowning. I know of no act that requires more self-command and presence of mind than such an attempt, and this can only be acquired through knowledge of how a drowning person almost invariably acts when conscious that help is at hand, and of the easiest means of kepmg him afloat until the rescue ta accomplished. The effort to save is always attended with some personal danger, and requires to be gone about quickly, but wihout flurry. The danger arises from the instinotive tendency of a drowning person to grasp firmly anything that comes within reach, and to hold it so tenaciously that, Bhoutd it bo the hand or person of a swimmer, ralco.se"is almost impossible. Should such a hold be obtained the swimmer's motions are impeded, and scarcely less than a miracle is needed to save both from perishing. The first great rule is take care the drowning person does not get hold of you. Several expedients have been suggested for avoiding this. I knew a ferryman many years ago who had saved by swimming no fewer than twenty-three or four lives. I asked him on one occasion, how he managed to keep clear of their hands. "Well, sir," ho said, "I takes care to swim about them until they are quite exhausted and just ready to sink, and then I gets hold of them by tho hair or coat collar and then pulls them on their backs, and then they come ashore quite safe and easily.' A very good suggestion was given by a swimming-master a few days ago. He recommended any one who goes to the assistance of a drowning person to take, say, a handkerchief with him, and when within reaoh to throw the end into his hands. He will almost certainly clutch and hold it fact with both hands and cling to it; and if so, proceed like the ferryman—seize the back hair or coat collar with one hand; turn the body face upwards; keep it well at arm's length, and swim with the other hand, always taking care that your hand is not seized instead of the handkerchief. Should, however, the drowning person manage to get hold of you, it becou es a death-struggle betwetn you. Your only chance is at once to sink with him, and, under the water, you may by strong efforts effect your escape. It is obvious, however, from the varieties of cases that no special rule can be given ; but a knowledge of the facts stated will lead to coolness, quickness, and confidence in so perilous an effort. Perhaps some experts may be able to give more effectivo advice.—l am, etc., an Old Swimmer. Dunedin, March 14.