Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1893-11-18

when swimming is an art so easily
learned, there are comparatively few
women who understand even the first
principles Of it, and even when the
papers are ringing with accounts OF
many deaths by drowning, owing to
the fact that bathers do not know
how to swim, one-half Of the world
still continues In ignorance of a sim.
pie accomplishment that might some
day be the means OF rescuing them
from a watery grave,
Salt water is the best TO learn in,
says the Philadelphia Times. To be.
gin with, IL is much heavier than
fresh water, its buoyancy giving
confidence TO the novice. as ii sup.
ports the body easily. Another the
DRY advanced by a teacher whose
name is among the most expert swim
mers,is that In learning in salt water
the bitter taste of IL will compel
the swimmer to keep the mouth shut
and breath through the nostrils.
which is one Of tho most important
lessons to be learned. Its tempera-
ture is also higher in summer than
that OF fresh water.
Quoting this authority's own words
he says TO learn TO iloat is the
first step. This Is an easy and natu-
raj performance, and when once the
learner realizes that she will not
sink II she keeps still and has a sup.
ply OF mir in her lungs. the dread
and fear Of sinking will be one half
vanqnished. In shallow water, wade
out until the water II up To your
armpits. The next thing 10 do Is to
turn your back 10 the land, bend your
knees as though you were about to
sit down, letting the water touch
your chin. then gradually throw the
head as far back as 1t will 20. You
viii probably experience a most un-
pleasant sensation when the water
first touches your cars, and win feel
an inclination 20 stand up aud wade
out. declaring that you will never do
such silly thing again.
However. II you pcrscyere and
continue 20 slowly put the head back
until the hack Of il Is immersed and
the water covers tho cars entirely
you will wonder why you we're %
nervous in the beginning. Put IN
your arms and extend them behind
your head as far as they will 60 with
the palms OF the hands uppermost
and slightly followed. Take a full
breath, inlate the chest, giving a
little push of from the bottom with
both feet, and you will undoubt ,dly
feel that you nrc about 70 drown. but
this Is not so Your head will sink
into tho water. aud your mouth will
be covered. but II you keep quiet
Fith your mouth shut you will soon
discover that your mouth and nostrils
have risen above the water surface.
and BY keeping your legs siiffened
and slightly separated, the tips OF
your fingers, toes and knees. as well
as your face and breast, will be above
water.
Breathe through your nostrils. and
unless you lot your nervousness over
come you. you will be able to float in
this position as long as you care to
do 50. IL is rather hard for those
who arc easily frightened 10 counter.
balance their lack Of confidence, vet
II these feelings are but once over
come but few lessons will be needed
TO mako tho novice an expert
AFTER learning to float the next
lesson will be in swimming. The
same position should be taken. living
fat on the back, but with the hands
placed at the side. After living
quietly for a time. gently move the
hands ms paddles, sending the water
toward your feet The hands should
he kept below the surface, and much
TO your surprise. IL this thing is kent
up gently. you win discover that YOU
are slowly but surely moving ahead.
Mine women out OF ten will, at
this juncture. rise up In surprised
TO see where they arc
going and will be more than hor-
ritied TO discover that the water will |
not support them in that position.
and they will take sudden and un-
expected plunge TO the bottom.
when you learn to propel your. |
self head forward, reverse the action
of your hands and YOU will 20 feet |
Steering can be done by
using one hand more forcibly than
The other. in fact the system Of pad
Hing with the hands is exactly on a
par with the use Of oars When pad
Hing with the feet is commenced. all |
hat is necessary 20 do is 60 strike
nut with your legs, with the feet
apart, and bring them together again.
them up and repeating the
itroke. IL is easier TO keep the feet
Lbout foot apart beneath the SUR
ace.
Tho kicking with the feet is much
more easily learned than the pad
ling with the hands. but the
comes easily, and in
tccring all one has to do is to keep
me leg quiet and use the other in
with the direction in
which you wish to swim.
1.-The more common method OF
moving Is on the breast This is far
more easy than on the back, but the
=