The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-06-14
sEAsONABLE ADVICE.

Hints 10 Those Learning TO Sw i'm.
The necessity OF learning TO swim is
daily becoming more apparent, in view
OF the numerous accidents that con-
stantly occur during the summer season
by tie overturning OF small boats and
the immersion OF their occupants, many
of whom find a watery grave where
they had thought but OF a trip OF pleas
ure. The loss OF life by steamboat &C
cidents might also be considerably
diminished If the passengers possessed
a knowledge of the art OF swimming,
for the reason that those who have that
knowledge are, in the hour OF danger,
more likely to retain their coolness and
presence OF mind, and be OF service to
their fellows in misfortune, while they
are better able to support themselves
and keep ahoat until assistance reaches
them, without the exertion OF struggling
and consequent loss Of strength which
is the natural result to any person find-
ing himself suddenly plunged into deep
water and without knowing how to
swim. The following facts in this con-
nection are worth remembering:
Though the legs, arms and head OF q
human body, being solid parts, are,
specifically, somewhat heavier than
fresh water, yet the trunk, particularly
the upper part, for it's hollowness, is 30
much lighter than water, as that the
whole Of the body, taken altogether. is
too light to sink wholly under water,
but some part will remain above, until
the lungs become filled with it, which
happens from drawing water into them
instead OF air, when person in fright
attempts breathing while the mouth
and nostrils are under water.
The legs and arms are, specifically,
lighter than salt water, and will be sup
ported by it, 30 that human body
cannot sink in salt water. though the
lungs were filled, but from the greater
specific gravity of the head. Therefore.
a person throwing himself on his back
in salt water. and extending his arms,
may easily lie 80 as to keep his mouth
and nostrils free for breathing and by q
small motion of his hands may prevent
turning, if any tendency towards such
a result should be experienced.
In fresh water il man throw him.
sell on his back, near the surface, he
cannot continue in that situation but
by proper action Of his hands on the
water; if be uses no such action, the
legs and lower part OF the body will
gradually sink till he comes into an up
right position, in which he will continue
suspended, the hollow OF his breast
keeping the head uppermost But, il In
this erect position the head be kept up
right above the shoulders, as when
standing on the ground, the emersion
will, by the weight OF that portion OF
the head that is out OF the water, reach
above the mouth and postrils, perhaps
a little above the eyes, so that a man
cannot long remain thus suspended in
water.
IT. however the head be leaned quite
back, so that the face looks upward, all
the back part OF the head being under
water, and its weight, consequently in
a great measure supported by it. the
face will remain above the water quite
free for breathing, will rise an inch
higher at every inspiration, and sink as
much each respiration, but never 80
low that the water will come over the
mouth. Therefore, il a person unac.
quainted with swimming, and, falling
accidentally into the water, could have
presence OF mind sufficient to avoid
struggling and plunging, and to let the
body take this natural position, he
might continue long free from drowning
till, perhaps, help should come; for, as
to the cloths, their additional weight
when immersed is very uncomfortable,
the water supporting them though on
coming out OF the water they would feel
very heavy indeed. No one, however,
should depend upon having this pres
euce Of mind on such an occasion, bu,
learn fairly In eWim