The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-07-03
Hints 70 Swimmer.

Prof. Marquis Bibbers, Of the London
Polytechnic Institute, gave an exhibition
Of fancy aud useful swimming in New
York one afternoon recently and did some Of
the finest work Of that kind that has lately
been seen in the metropolis. Hi pro-
gramme was long and varied, beginning
with practical illustrations of chow to act
in case Of shipwreck," aud going down
through ''useful swimming" "easy way
of turning in the water, "a learners diff
culties without a teacher Ornamental
swimming" swimming with hands aud
feet bound, and number Of submarine
feats. The swimmer first went into the
water with linen suit over a set of tights
aud showed the spectators how to undress
on the surface Of the water 10 case Of m
accident The secret Of this he soon dem
Onstrated Is 10 keeping the left leg and
right arm in motion while taking off the
right shoe with the left hand, aud vice
versa, the remainder Of the clothing being
comparatively easy to remove. lie show.
ed that it Is easy enough to rest when IA
tigued by long swim, the motion of either
hands or feet alone being sufficient to keep
the body afoat So the arms may rest
while the legs keep at work, and then the
legs rest while the arms work. In case of
cramp 10 the legs, grasp the cramped foot
with the dingoually opposite hand and
paddle away with the remaining fins.
Prof Bibbers then allowed hisattendant
TO strap his hands behind him and strap
his feet together, and plunge into the wa
ter. Instead of going TO the bottom, as
might have been expected, he struck out
boldly on his back, using his bound feet to
make the stroke, and made very good time.
He next eat piece Of cake, drank bot
tic of milk and smoked part of a cigar uu.
der water, the last being merely trick,
the lighted end Of the cigar being dexter
ously put In his mouth Just as be disap.
peared beneath the water. "How to save
a person from drowning, and show to
break away from the grip of drowning
person" were two Of the most useful parts
Of the exhibition. Using his attendant
for drowning person, he showed that
single hair Of the head was sufficient to
draw the floating body ashore with, if the
person retained sufficient presence Of mind
to keep quiet. Ifthe person struggles, as
is usually the case, he should be approach
cd from behind, his head held on the res.
cuers breast, aud both 60 ashore on their
backs The drowning person frequently
grasps bis rrscuer, aud endangers both Of
their lives. 10 this case, if bis head can
be got under the surface again for few
moments, IL will confuse him, and breaking
away is comparatively easy. Should he
grasp the reseuer BY the wrists, quick
wrench Of the arms viii break his hold.
Should he grasp him from behind, his
hold must bc loosened BY wrenchiug back
his fpgers, as Ia ordinary eases When
then the drowning person gets bis arms
firmly eIasped around bis rescuers neck
or arOuad bis waist, or gets another dan.
gerous hold, the rcscuer may instantly
free himself BY putting two Of his fingers
to the drowning persons uostrils; and thus
forcing bis head back. This will make
man loosen any hold, in the water or out
Of il. Even drowning man cannot keep
his grip when this plan is restored TO.