Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-16

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In these athletic days when so much at
tention is given to outdoor exercise anu
summer recreations every one should auo
to his physical accomplishments the apiii-
ty to swim. This applies to women as wen
as to men for reasons of personal saley
and as means of enjoyment The summer
Is but fairly begun, and the record OF
drownings on rivers, in lakes and at sea-
side resorts is already among the thou
sands In this country. Boats caps'ze, bath-
ers venture beyond their depth and be-
cause they are ignorant or the ART
of swimming or Impractical In Its use they
meet death in alarming numbers. 1t is
indeed amazing what chances are taken
by people everywhere in venturing upon
the water without the ability to save them
selves or to assist others in case of mishap
Learning to swim should be part of
every boys and girls education II, as
custom prescribes, they are TO spend
part of each year about watering places or
going on excursions In quest of health and
recreation 1t is an art easily acquired.
and the ability to swim a mile or more. IL
occasion requires. should be no greater
strain upon the physical powers than pun
at the oars. jaunt on horseback, a long
walk or participation in some athletic game
Besides being one of the most eXhllarat-
ing forms of sport, swimming may be the
means, almost any tiflt, VI out
own life or that of another. The terrible
tragedies which darken so many homes
each year might. in the majority or IN
stances, be averted if more attention were
given to this feature of physical training.
Parents are ready to spend money that
their sons and daughters may be perfected
in the graceful maZes of the dance, but
how little is done to acquaint them with
the proper handling of themselves In the
water when, as everybody knows. danger
turks about the streams. ponds. lakes and
ocean where they constantly go.
Victims of Fear.
Drowning persons are generally the VIC
inns Of fear. The human animal, at least
the educated one. has an instructive dread
Of the water. and when thrown into 1t or
he loses his footing he fails In that use OF
arms. legs, hands and feet which nature
has taught to all the lower animals. The
inability to swim thus becomes mental or
moral defect and not a physical one. No
person in ordinary health need to drown II
he will move his arms Justify and kick out
resoIutely. Anybody can do it. OF course
there are certain strokes which make
swimming effective. and experience teaches
one how to save breath and protect
the heart action, but keeping on the sur
face even for a long time. depends upon
nothing but effort. To learn to swim Is a
duty to others as well as to ones self. 1t
is not expected that all will become expert
swimmers, but slow and comparatively
weak person can keep afioat a long time by
alternating methods. If exhausted, by
treading water and by floating. Water is a
broyant medium, and the body will not
sink If the person thrown into it uses the
ability of which he is possessed.
The simplest form of swimming is that
called dog fashion by the boys. 1t con-
sists in using the hands and arms as the
dog does his paws. either striking the
hands fat on the surface and bringing
ND haln fhn nr n
ing them going like paddles just beneath
the face and chest, in other words paw
ing" the water. The feet should flap the
surface of the water behind in alternate
a great splashing, but he cannot possibly
sink, and while he will not make much
progress straight ahead he can keep up
with the least effort until help arrives.
ANY person. even with the clothes on, can
swim in this manner for ten of fifteen min
utes without any sense or WEAKNESS, ana
always long enough for assistance to come
under ordinary circumstances, or long
enough to reach some support. Dog fash
ion'' is good for the first lesson in swim
ming as it gives experience in floating the
body and is great help IN the mastery or
fear 1t also has the additional advantage
of keeping the head we'll out of the water
If now to the use of the arms and hands
as described In Dog Fashion the swim
mer draws the legs close up to the body
and kicks straight backward, in the man.
ner the frog does in swimming or jump
ing, he will force himself quite rapidly
through the water toward some floating
object toward the shore. The best
course Is to make the kicks at a moderate
rate to avoid exhaustion. The use of the
legs in this manner is the proper for
the breast stroke. When one has acquired
ability to move in the water and has gained
some confidence, the paving may be
abandoned for the more effective side
stroke Garry the hands well forward
nearly Joined. and bring them around
toward the sides like oars This, with the
kicking of the feet, constitutes breast
stroke swimming or that where the person
lies breast downward in the water. A
little practice will enable one to master it
and the length of the swim is then mat
ter of endurance. When rightly performed
the combined strokes of arms and legs
should carry the swimmer about one
length ahead
The breast stroke may be reversed. the
swimmer lying upon his back. In this case
the strokes are similar. Resort may be had
to swimming on the back for rest and relief
from heavy breathing If the swim is long
one. Floating consists in crossing the hands
behind the back, extending the feet at full
length and lying still. The body will lie
low in the water. giving barely opportunity
to breathe. but will not sink.
The Liverpool Stroke.
What is known as the Liverpool side
stroke is a mode of swimming where greater
speed is acquired and the strain on the
breath and heart is reduced to the mini
num- The swimmer lies on his side-usually
the left side. The left arm submerged is
shot forward to full length and brought
down with a powerful swing describing
nearly a half-circle. The right arm is car
ried forward out of the water above the
head and brought around with the hand
expanded, like the oar of boat The
movements of the two arms are In planes
nearly at right angles In this mode of
swimming the legs lie well down In the
water and are moved much the same as
the rider OF q bicycle treads the pedals or
as In walking with long step The legs