The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-20
WEEK OF FREE SWIMMING
Washington.

below
Sounded like the laugh Of something We onc'st ust
70 know
In the long. iazy 9sys. when the aumdan Of
school made 60 many runawsys'
JAMES WHITCONB RILEY.
Any big boy in the District OF Column
bia who does not know at least the
A, B. Of the art of swimming by All
Fools Day next will be pretty careful TO
hide that fact from his comrades and
acquaintance. because the Y. NJ. C. A.
has made an offer to teach every boy
in Washington how to swim during the
week beginning March 2s. and TO allow
him the use of the mammoth swimming
pool at the Association Building, on G
street. without pay and regardless Of
the fact whether or not he is a member
OF the association.
Who Is Eligible.
Any boy between the ages of twelve
and seventeen years can, upon getting
the consent of his parents and passing
physical examination by one OF the medi-
cal stan OF the Y. n c. A. get ticket
which Will allow him TO use the pool
half an hour each day during the week
and receive instructions in swimming
from one OF the expert instructors. who
will be on hand for the purpose.
How to Gain Admission TO Pool.
When a boy who has passed his twelfth
birthday and not reached his eighteenth
one makes up his mind to take advan-
tage of the privileges of swimming week
land the authorities Of the association
hope that this will mean every eligible
boy in Washington, he should at once
apply to one OF the secretaries of the
boys department for an application
blank.
On this blank will be the sentence; 4
hereby consent that - may take SWIM
ming lessons during the week OF March
9s." with a space for the signature OF
parent or guardian beneath. II the boy
can get this signature. he should return
TO the association with his blank.
Following is a detailed schedule of the
AbAIs Wiltu the pOul viii De bpCA anu
one or more instructors in charge:
Monday-9SO 10 II a. n. Tenny. Hansen. Long:
TO 545 p. m. Taylor; 10 $50 p. m, Earle,
Rutherford, De Lashniutt
Tuesday-s20 to II m, Tenny, Hansen, Long:
70 SIS p. H., Taylor; 10 $50 p m, Earle
Rutherford
Wednesday-s.3 to m. Tenny, Jms:
) to 5:s5 ,. H., Taylor TO $50 p, n, Esrie,
Rutherford. De Lashmutt.
Thursday-9:90 to Il t. m. Tenny. Hansen: to
535 = n. Taylor; 7 70 $50 ,. n, Earle. Ruther-
ford.
No precaution will be spared TO make
the arrangements convenient and safe
for the hundreds of boys who are ex-
pected to take advantage of the offer Of
the Y. NJ c. A. The swimming pool will
be only half fun of water, and the in
structor and one other attendant viii al
ways be on hand. so that there can be
no possible accident while in the pool.
Harry ". Long. assistant physical di-
rector OF the Central Association, and
Chase Taylor, physical director of the
Boys Department, viii have charge OF
the work Of instructing the youngsters
IN the delightful and useful art They
viii be assisted by several members of
the lifesaving class OF the Mems Depart
ment, among them Hansen, Earle. and
De Lashmutt
Longs opinion is that any normal boy
can be taught the rudiments of swim
ming in week. and can practice what
he is taught in some odd swimmin'
hole" later.
The First Lesson.
This is always the hardest for the
teacher and pupil, and may be harder
than ali the succeeding lessons combined.
The average person can take two les
sons and by practlcing them, learn 10
swim. If the pupil will try TO teach
others. it will greatly help him to under
stand what he is himself trying to mas
ter
Cramps are usually caused by i'm
proper diet. Cut out excessive use OF
salt and proteids. More raw fruits will
bring about an Improvement. Many per-
sons who have been alleged TO have
drowned by cramps may have been
drowned because of improper breathing
or by exhaustion through bad style of
swimming
How 10 Save Drowning Person.
Importance as courage in saving a
drowning person, on account of the fool
ish actions of the frantic victim. Direc-
tor Long. of the association, has for the
past two winters conducted a lfe-saving
class, numbering many of the most ex-
pert swimmers of the associations ros-
ter, at which much practical work in
the direction OF learning how 10 save
such persons is taught and practiced
The United States Life-saving Service
has adopted the following instructions
for saving drowning persons by swim
ming to their relief:
/ When you approach person drowning assure
him. with loud and firm voice. that he is safe.
= Before Jumping in 70 saye him diYest yourself
as far and as quickly possible, Of all clothes;
tear them OF If Necessary; but il there Is not time
loose at all events the foot Of your drawers if
they are tied. as if you do not do this, they viii
Ill with water and drag you.
5 On swimming 10 4 Ierson in the sea if he be
struggling do not seize him then. but keep of for
few seconds until he gets quiet. for IL Is sheer
madness 70 take hold Ct a man who Is struggling
In the water. and II yol do you run a great risk
E. Then get close TO him aud take fast hold Of
the hair on his head. turn hIm quickly ss pos
sible onto his back. give him a sudden pull. ard
this viii cause him to ioat: then throw yoslrsslf
on your back also and swim for shore. both hands
having hold Of his hair, yea your hack and he
slso On his. and. Of cJuTse his back 10 yOuT
stomach. In this way you win get sooner and
safer ashore than hy any other means and you
can easily thus swim with two or three persons.
One advantage Of this method Is that it enables
you TO keep your head up and also TO hold the
persons head up YOU are trying 10 save. II Is of
primary importance that you take fast hold Of the
hair and threw both the person and yourself on
your back, After mary experiments, it is usually
found preferable to all other methods You can
IN this manner float nearly as long you please.
q until q boat CT help can be obtained.
8. Il is believed that there is no such thing
a death grasp; at least, Il Is very unusual to wit
A L. .,,.- q.