HINTS FOE BATHERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17348, 20 December 1919, Page 6 (Supplement)

HINTS FOE BATHERS.

Almost every day we read of disaster overtaking holiday-makers -when bathing. Many of these occurrence's could have been avoided -with a little care. If you cannot swim, do not go into the water higher than your chest; "be content with surf plunging and bathing in the shallow water to immerse your head. If you get into comparatively, deep water, the inrush of the waves is liable to carry you off your feet and into difficulties. _ -" It is an excellent plan for a medium swimmer to wade out as far as possible till the water almost covers his head, and then to swim back towards the shore. He can be quite certain then never to. be out of his depth, and consequently safe if his strength or nerve fails. . . Don't eat ices or drink iced liquid before bathing. Remember that distance appears to be very deceptive when you are in the water; don't attempt to " show off" by swimming out a long way unless you are absolutely certain you can get back. If you, get into difficulties keep as cool .as possible, and float on your back in order to reserve your energy. * Don't waste strength in useless struggles. Bathing is a refreshing tonic, and one of the most enjoyable of holiday pastime.*, but don't overdo it. Be careful during hot weather in taking a sun bath to follow; it is very nice to feel, the warm rays of the sun on one's back— an attack of sunstroke is not at all pleasant. Many girls spoil half the pleasure of a bathe because they are afraid of wetting their faces, thinking that salt water will be bad for the skin. No harm, however, will result if the face be well washed immediately afterwards with fresh water. This is so impor-' tant that if there is any probability that none can be had, the bather should take a small bottleful down to the beach together with her bathing- impedimenta. While staying by the sea it is a good i plan altogether to avoid the use of hot water for the face, or at most to use water with only just "the chill off, so as not to open the pores. If the face has become very sunburnt it is wise to rub on plenty of a thick face cream'in order that it may act as a protection. The same, of course, applies to a badly sunburnt neck or chest. Even if the face is not burnt, if the skin is delicate, or by too much attention a girl has made her" skin very sensitive, or been unwise enough frequently to steam her face, it is then best not to let the salt water directlv upon it. After bathing it is _not a good thing \to sit with the sun full upon the face, but when it is unavoidable a little powder should then be applied. The hands are sure to show the signs of the effect of seawater upon them, but this can easily be counteracted. Nothing is better than glycerine applied once or twice a day. It is a mistake to wait until the hands have become very rough. " Prevention is better than cure," and if the glycerine is used directly ■ the bathing is started no bad results will ensue.

Should bathing cause the feet to become chapped wash them first in plain water and then sprinkle them with boracic_ acid, and finally rub in a very little glycerine. The majority of girls when taking sea baths wear bathing caps, but she who wets her hair and lets it hang all the morning to dry is wise in her generation, as nothing is better for the hair than to let it hang loose in the open air; indeed, it is a perfect " treatment," and one of which all bathers should avail themselves.