Milford chronicle., 1937-07-16
PERSONAL SAFETY
AND SWIMMING

Water weed and eel grass are com.
monty found at or near swimming
places, particularly in shallow ponds
and streams and in tidewater rivers
salt water lagoons and shallow bays
These do not constitute a serious
menace to the swimmer if, when he
comes in contact with them, he does
not try convulsively to thrash his
way clear. Quick sharp movements
only tend to wrap the weeds and
grass securely about the legs and
arms and hold the swimmer fast
Slow gentle drawing and shaking
movements of the limbs will serve
to clear them, even though the first
convulsive reaction at contact has
bound the swimmer tightly. If there
is current, one should always go
with it, remembering that it will help
to untangle and loosen the binding
grass or weed If the swimmer dives
into masses of weeds and is held un-
der water. he must carefully esti-
mate the length of time he can stay
under and work with as much speed
as he can, consistent with the neces-
sity for making gentle movements.
Cramp
Cramp has been called the bane of
swimming since it causes pain and
discomfort, and engenders panic and
fright in the swimmers mind and
many times results in drowning.
Cramp occurs in muscles. making in
the bell yOf the muscle tight hard
the belly of the muscle a tight hard
capacitates the part of the body in
which it occurs, or. at least, greatly
inhibits its action. 1t is accom-
panied always by pain in greater or
lesser degree, depending upon its
location. Cold or tired muscles are
most susceptible and as the muscles
of a swimmer frequently may be in
this condition, cramp is of common
occurrence while bathing. The parts
most often affected by cramp when
swimming are the foot. the calf of
the leg and the hand. Cramp may
also occur in the back of the thigh
and. rarely, in the upper arm. In
all such cases. the treatment is the
same. The swimmer rolls to a face
down position in the water. with |!
lungs fully inflated and grasRss the |
cramped area firmly with Ohe or |
both hands. Continued pressure will |
release the cramp but if the part is
cold vigorous kneading must. be re-
stored to, to restore circulation,
otherwise the eramp is likely-tO re-
cur. ,.......
When cramp attacks the stomach
or abdomen, the situation is much
more serious since if the swimmer
does not receive aid, he will, in all |
likelihood. drown. Stomach cramp, !
as before stated. is not an uncOm-
mon result of swimming too soon !
after eating but what muscles are !
affected is not known. All that is
known is that the sudden attack is
by such pain that quite ;
the knees are drawn
to the chest as the head is drawn
down and forward Breathing is I
inhibited, as it is by a stitch" in the I
side or back. and, apparently, no
movements can be made.
Under such circumstances there is /
little that the victim can do to help
himself and he must rely upon some
one else to bring him to safety. ---sI +
DisrObing
hHtH d DtISOu 10 (
fully clad into deep water. it is OBJ
viOus that movement will be so ham,
pered by the drag of water-soaked I
garments that he will soon become |
The clothing. therefore,
should be removed at once. To do
this easily and with a minimum of
effort expended the swimmer should
initiate the lungs and submerge to
turtle floating position with arms C
md legs hanging directly downward, 7
Using both hands, he should loosen 6
md take off the shoes. This may
AXE several breaths to accomplish. -
After the shoes are removed the !,
anne process, in the same position, :,
hould be used to take off the trou- "
ers or skirt and lastly. the coat or
hirt should be removed. If the
lpper or outer garment. because of y
Is design, has to come over the ,
lead. it should be gathered up to l.
he armpits; then. by seizing the
punched garment on both sides with Il
rossed arms. the swimmer can sub J'
merge and draw the garment up over Oi
he head, using one hand to free the j,
'ack of the head. if necessary. When NJ
he body and head are freed, the fC
winner removes the arms from the al
leeVes and Swims clear. p,
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