Evening star., 1936-07-12
LEARN TO SWIM
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::::DR|vELAUNCHED !:
Red Cross and Playground
Department Act to Re-
duce Hazards.

With the mercury lowering at the
i00-degree mark and washington
residents fiocking to the water front
and swimming pools by the thousands,
the American Red Cross and the
Playground Department of the Dis
trict have joined forces in an educa-
tional campaign to reduce the haz-
ards which each year take toll Of
approximately 1000 lives by drowning
in the United States.
A corps of more than 20 instructors
Is at work in the various playground
and welfare pools of Washington to
achieve one of the cardinal aims Of
the Red Cross Life Saving Service
to make a safe swimmer out of every
man, woman and child. Their work
is augmented by swimming and life
saving classes at the Y. M. C. A. and
other private pools, which report a
greater demand for instruction this
Summer than ever before.
Classes Start Tomorrow.
Tomorrow at the Takoma and Nc
Kinley Fairgrounds. Gordon O..
Stone of the Red Cross staff will
launch concentrated drive to teach
swimmers the methods by which those
in peril of drowning may be rescued
with least possible risk to the rescuer
Boys and girls who can swim and
who are at least IL years old are
urged to join the classes to be held
from 1890 to 11:30 am. daily at Nc
Kinley and from 80 to 2:30 pm. on
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at
Takoma.
While we don't expect to make ex-
pert life guards out Of all the hun
dreds Of youngsters signed up for the
course" Stone said. I'VE know 1t is
possible to train swimmers of ordinary
ability to bring drowning persons to
safety in cases Of necessity"
Ignore Safety Rules.
Reviewing accidents on the Potomac
River and nearby beaches which have
already claimed the ives Of at least
five District residents this Summer,
Stone asserted many could have been
prevented If the principles taught in
life saving classes were observed gen.
orally by all those using boats, canoes
and bathing facilities.
Although certain fundamental max
inns have been publicized for many
years, he continued, adults IS we'll as
children frequently ignore them and
needlessly risk their lives.
One thing many people forget, he
said, is that swimming Is the first
water sport to learn. 1t makes all
others safe. Half the l.azar6 Of SAIL
ing and canoeing lies among non-
swimmers.
Don't Swim Alone"
Others of his Red Cross maxims
are: Don't swim alone. Every SWIM
mer needs q water buddy to help
him, or give the alarm in case of
accident. Avoid long swirns after a
season Of inactivity; train gradually.
After eating, wait at least two hours
before swimming to avoid danger Gus
stomach cramps. Failure to look be-
fore diving causes many deaths. Be
sure the water Is at least feet deep
and free from hidden stumps and
rocks.
simultaneously with the playground
departments learn to swim" week,
beginning tomorrow, the departments
supervisors will begin a vigorous in
structional program in life saving.
Children who have qualified as SWIM
mers will be drilled in the above
principles, while they receive practical
training in life-saving techniques.
Glasses will be given at the Takoma,
Howard, Mckinley, Georgetown, Rose
dale, Francis. Banneker and the E
street Y. w. c. A. pools.