Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-08-06
ynIunbIo Hip,, ON SWIMMING.

Having mastered swimming on the stomach
our young swimmer is next desirous Of float
ing on the back. To accomplish this, the
chest must be fully inflated by drawing in a
long breath then throwing back the arms to
the full extent, and also the head, the legs
are gradually brought up. The body, as
also the legs, should be nearly straight, with
only slight curve at the hips. After the
first long breath, the inspirations should be
short and gentle. lAh
From this stage to swimming on the back
there is only a slight advance, the body being
still extended and the chest inflated the
| hands should be brought down to the hips,
| the wrists touching the groin. The hands in
this position constitute the fins, and If kept
working in small circles, the body will be
gently propelled forward; and according TO
| the speed at which you are desirous of going
the legs must DO brought up (not above water)
and vigorously thrust forward in the ordinary
manner. t
A somewhat difficult feat is that Of per-
pendicular floating and can only be accom-
plished by persons with capacious chests.
The head is thrown back till only the mouth
and nose are above water; the arms crossed
forward on the chest and the legs allowed to
drop perpendicularly in the water. Persons
with round and broad chests can thus remain
suspended as long as they please; and, though
they sink little at each respiration, the head
at the next inspiration is Immediately well
above the surface. When in this position,
treading water is a quick change, when, by
alternately drawing up and thrusting down
the feet, the neck and shoulders are imnne-
diately raised considerably out of the water.
Treadng is very useful in supporting
drowningperson- particularly ifthere be two
persons engaged in the humane work-when
by cautiously, yet vigorously, acting to-
gether, they can prevent the often danger
GUS death-grapple of the drowning person.
Hand-over- hand swimming is dashing
aud noble style, and good swimmer will
cleave through the water by this method
more rapidly than by any other system; but
il can not be maintained for any great time,
as the most vigorous muscular exertions Of
the swimmer are heavily taxed. In breast
ing some strong waves or surf until outside
the breakers, or in dashing forward TO save a
drowning person, this style is invaluable, and
all young swimmers should practice it well
and often. In starting Oh, one arm is swung
round from the shoulder as far forward as
possible, and as the hand meets the water
edgeways and the palms are turned down.
ward, the side of the head and shoulder is
presented TO the water, and will thus break
the force ofa heavy wave without incon-
venience or unpleasantness to the swimmer.
All know the disagreeable effect of wave
breaking in the face; hence the necessity of
being master of this style. As soon as the
hand meets the water, and the opposite leg
having been drawn up to the belly, the hand
is thrust vigorously downward TO the hip
and the leg with equal force thrown back
ward. When the hand reaches the hip, there
is then slight pause, as the other hand is
brought over in similar manner, and the
head turned round, and with it the other
shoulder, to again meet the force of the
water .tH -
Diving is another great essential. If dive
| is taken from bank, care should be taken
not TO let the stomach come first into con-
tact with the water. The eyes should be
kept open, as, while under water, it is diff
fcult TO open them. If you wish to reach
the bottom, keep the hands pointed down
ward, and strike upward with the feet.
When you wish to rise, let the palms of the
hands be brought round so as 10 grasp the
water, and then beat downward with both
hands and feet. rlal
The eramp is one Of the greatest terrors OF
the swimmer but it is not the cramp in
itself that browns him il is his fear. The
cramp seldom attacks more than one limb
and if the swimmer will but stretch the
cramped limb out to its utmost he will still
have his other limbs in active use to reach
the shore. The pain, as is well known, is
| great, but this must be borne IL you would
save your life. Ifthe cramp seizes the leg
| turn over on your back, stretch the limb ouI
stifiy, and in few minutes il may be gone
and however great the pain, do not relax the
use of the limb, as no muscular action car
| increase cramp, but the reverse II the
stomach is attacked, which will probably
prevent the use Of the legs, bear with th,
pain and float on the back, making use o.
the hands till you get within reach Of assist
ance.