THE ART OF SWIMMING.

Shannon News, 29 December 1926, Page 1

THE ART OF SWIMMING.

NOTES OF ITS USEFULNESS. LIFE-SAVING-. (By Les. M^Murpliy). It is 4juite possible - that some day you may be“ called upon to swim to the rescue of some unfortunate who has got into difficulties well out from the shore. It is all very well to pretend to be heroic and dash to the rescue, but do you really know what to do when you reach the drowning person? If not then permit me to detail a little good advice on the art of . saving life. Advice to the Would-be Rescuer. When rescuing a person from drowning you must remember, that it is most important to keep the face of the person in difficulty above the surface, even if your own should at times become immersed. Avoid all y jerking, struggling or tugging, and'swim with a regular timed stroke of the legs,’ husbanding their strength for continued effort. If this be properly done, much confidence is imparted, as the drowning person is able tp breathe. with freedom, and may cease struggling, feeling that he is in safe hands. If you are unacquainted with the proper method of rescue and release, you should exercise great caution, because, through ignorancO, two lives may' be placed in jeopardy.- It is a wellknown saying that a drowning person “catches at every straw. ” When grasped by a drowning person you must be very careful not to ease your presence of mind and if you do not' know how to effect a release you* stand a poor chance of getting away. Through some mistake • you may find yourself seized by the person drowning, who will probably not }et go his grip until forced to do sq, If this should happen, there must bq no hesitation to use any means necessary to obtain release. One necessary thing for you to do is to take advantage of your knowledge of the water and keep uppermost. This will be of material service as it will weaken the drowning person and 'make the difficulty of release. much easier. When, carrying a person through the water keep the legs well up to the surface and the whole body as horizontal as possible, thus avoiding the drag which would naturally result from perpendicular position. The legs of your victim may be kept from sinking by occasionally putting them up with your own feet. If the unfortunate one is not struggling turn him on his back, place your hands on either side of his face, so that the palms will cover his. ears. Then lie on your back, hold him in front of you, and swim with the back stroke, taking care to keep his face above the water. Now if he is struggling he is very difficult to manage. You should at first opportunity turn him on his back as previously stated and take a firm hold? of his arms vjust above the elbows. Draw them at right angles to his body and then lie ,on your back and swim as above stated. If you should be held by the wrists, you must turn both. arms simultaneg; ously against the drowning person's thumbs, and bring his arms at right’ angels tp his body, this dislocating his thumbs if he does not release his grip. Should you for instance be 'clutched round the neck, the best way to liberate yourself from such an awkward position is to take a deep breath and lean -well over the drowning one, at the same time place one hand in the small part of his back,- raise the other in line with the shoulder, and pass it over your victim's arms; then pinch the nostrils close with the fingers and at the same time place the palm of the hand on his chin, and push away with all force. The holding of the nostrils will make him open his mouth for breathing, and being under water, choking will naturally ensue. Once again you will have complete control. If clutched round the body and arms or body only, it is advisable for you to lean well over the person you are attempting to rescue, take a deep breath as I aforesaid, and either withdraw both arms in an upward direction in front of his body, or in accordance with the instructions for release if held round the neck as above stated. In either case place the one hand on his shoulder, and the palm of the othci against his chin, at the same bringing the knee up against the lower part of his chest. By means of a strong and sudden push stretch the arms and legs straight out, throwing the whole weight of the body backwards. This sudden motion will break the clutch and leave you free. Many a gallant life has been lost in the- attempt to rescue a fellow creature, through ignorance of these simple methods by the would-be rescuer. All that is necessary is careful study and frequent practice in the water. If this be properly executed, even the moderate swimmer can fearlessly go to the aid of the drowning.