The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1909-07-29
TO AVOID DROWNING.
What to Do If You Fall in Water
and a Wi

What to Do If You Fall in Water
and Cannot Swim.
There are chronicled every summer
long list of fatal drowning accidents
which plunge thousands into mourn
ing. and the pity of it is that a little
knowledge of workmanship and ordi-
nary care might have prevented most
of them. To ignorance or carelessness
in entering and leaving boat or
while in it; to venturing in open
water unprepared, and to neglect of
the rudimentary principles of water
manship can be traced half the re-
corded fatalities.
No one should ever take out row.
ing persons who do not know how to
swim without lirst ascertaining that
the boat is safe and seaworthy and
provided with the necessary parapher
MALTA for eventualities. 1t is when
one least expects II that accidents oc-
cur, writes L. de B. Handley in the
special vacation number of Recreation,
and the only way to avoid them is to
be prepared at all times A stout bow
line, enough life preservers to go
around. an anchor, something to bale
with and an extra pair of oars should
be carried on principle. You may not
need them ninety-nine times out of a
hundred. but on that hundredth time
they may mean life or death.
In getting into a boat one should
try to step right into the bottom over
the keel, or il this is too great a
reach. on to the middle of the seat
and then down. Stepping on the gun
vale has been responsible for number
less capsizings and 1t is a good idea
when inexperienced people are en-
barking to take hold of the boat and
steady it. Enter If possible where you
intend to sit and in such a manner
that you will not have to turn after
wards.
The weight should be distributed as
evenly as possible, in a small boat,
with slight preference to the stern. If
the bow is buried the least head-swell
will flood the boat and if the stern
is too deep following sea may swamp
it. In making landing one should
approach at an angle, shipping the
inward oar a few yards away and
rounding up by backing with the out
ward one. 1t is dangerous to stretch
out over the gunwale to reach for
float or pier. In landing the person
In the bow should be first, taking the
bow-line with him and steadying the
boat for the others.
/ will not insult the intelligence Of
the reader by advising against rock
ing the boat or INDUCING in like idi-
otto skylarking One must be decidedly
lacking in gray matter to choose such
pastimes. There are certain rules
about ones behavior in small craft,
however. which should be kept con-
stantly in mind. For instance, should
1. be necessary for two people to
change places they should keep well
over the keel until ready to pass each
other and then standing face to face
move to either side simultaneously
that the boat may not lose its balance.
Also, whether in picking up anything
from the water or in helping swim
mer it is advisable to use the stern
and not the side.
When a boat is capsized do not try
to climb into it again. 1t will sustain
you easily IL you just lean on 1t, as
will any fair-sized piece of wreckage
like an oar, spar, or a board, but
attempt to climb over them and they
will surely sink with you. And speak
ing about this. when you are being
helped or towed do not hang onto your
rescuer or boat with bent arms, as
this draws the body up and offers
great resistance. Outstretched arms
will increase your chances Of getting
ashore.