You will fail a good many times before you learn to swim, but do not give up. You will perhaps swallow some water, and in spite of all you can do, your head will drop more than once under the surface; but, if you will keep trying, you will soon find yourself able to make two, three or more strokes, before you sink. A little practice will complete your mastery of the art.
It is well to use helps at the beginning. A friend may hold up your chin, or a light float may be fastened behind your shoulders. The body of a person is very little heavier than water, and a slight exertion, rightly directed, will keep it afloat for hours.
Taking your position in water, no higher than your breast nor shallower than your waist, you lie very gently on your back, with your chest elevated, your hands on your stomach and your feet extended in a straight line, close to the surface. If you wish to swim on your back, you have only to draw up your legs and strike out as when swimming in the natural position. It is a poor method, however, as you cannot see in what direction you are going, and will soon exhaust your strength.
After learning to swim, there are many fanciful movements which can be easily learned. They have no special value, but afford amusement to those who look on or engage in them.
You cannot be too careful while learning to swim. Boys are apt to be venturesome and think their parents are too timid on their account. You should make it a rule never to go into water beyond your depth until you can swim very well. If this rule should be followed the number of deaths from drowning would be greatly lessened.
Why should every boy and girl learn to swim?Give directions for the first lesson in swimming.
What is sure to follow?
What helps may be used at the beginning?
Show the advantage of knowing how to float in the water.
Show how a person may float.
What is said of fanciful movements in the water?
What care should boys exercise?
CHAPTER IX HOW TO TREAT DROWNED PERSONS
have been revived, had the proper means been used.
When any one believes he is drowning, he becomes frantic and his fierce struggles only hasten his death. If a friend swims to his rescue, there is danger that he will throw his arms around his rescuer and cause both to drown.
If the person in danger will keep still, when his friend seizes his hair or arm, he can readily be taken ashore. If a swimmer finds his sinking friend frantic, it may be necessary to strike him a violent blow between the eyes so as to stun him for a minute or two.
A drowning person generally rises twice before sinking the last time. Those who have been unconscious ten, fifteen, twenty minutes and sometimes longer, have been resuscitated or brought back to life. What is done, therefore, must be done without delay. Should you be present when a drowned person is taken from the water, you ought to know exactly what to do.
If any one can be spared to go for the doctor, let him run with all speed. The instant the body is brought to land, turn it upon the face, with a hard roll of clothing under the pit of the stomach. This roll can be readily made from your own clothing or that of others if present. Put one wrist of the patient under his forehead so as to keep his mouth off the ground.
Then, with your hands well spread upon the patient's back, above the roll of clothing, press down with the whole weight of your body, pushing forward at the same time. Repeat this two or three times, with quickness and vigor. The object of the movement is to force the water from the lungs, and it must occupy very little time, for there is none to throw away.
Having freed the lungs so far as possible from water, turn the patient on his back, face upward, with the hard roll of clothing beneath his back. Bend the head backward and downward, so that the throat is stretched to the utmost. Place his hands on top of his head, and, if there be any one standing near, let him tie the wrists with a single twist of the handkerchief.
All the clothing must be instantly stripped off to the waist. Kneel astride the patient's hips; grasp the front part of the chest on both sides of the pit of the stomach, your thumbs pointing to the patient's chin and your fingers fitting into the grooves between the short ribs.
Brace your elbows firmly, making them rigid with your sides and hips, while your knees serve as a pivot. Press the sides of the patient firmly together, throwing yourself slowly forward for a second or two until your face almost touches his and your whole weight presses upon his chest. End this pressure with a sudden short push, which will send you back to the kneeling posture.
Stop for two or three seconds, so as to allow the ribs to spring back into position. Then repeat this bellows-blowing movement as before, gradually increasing the rate from seven to ten times a minute. Watch closely, and if you detect a natural gasp, do not interrupt it, but as the ribs sink, gently press them and deepen the gasp into a long breath. Continue to give this help, until the natural breathing is fully resumed, but do not cease your efforts for fully an hour or longer.