East Cleveland leader. [volume] (East Cleveland, Ohio) 1942-1970, 1957-08-15
By Bill Wells
Y.M.C.A. Staff

eNAsSsAs
Most Of us just don't get al
much exercise as we need. Doctors
recommend a daily program o:
body conditioning for people o.
all ages, the amount and type de-
pending upon the age and condi
ton of the person.
Which leads me to my point
that swimming is about the best
all-around body conditioner there
is. The easy, rythmic swimming
movements stimulate a healthy
flow Of blood. This improves heart
and lungs. Water buoys you up
so that you don't even have to
fight the strain of your body's
weight. Swimming in cool water
tones up the body generally.
That's why swimming relaxes and
invigorates at the same time.
In addition to swimming more,
l urge that you should learn how
to swim better. Most water acci-
dents involve poor swimmers
rather than non-swimmers. So
you'll be much safer, and have a
lot more fun, if you really water
proof" yourself.
Parents would do we'll to review
the important water safety rules
with the family to help assure it's
safety. Youngsters especially
should be taught to respect and
obey water safety rules at all
times. They are as follows:
1. Swim only at protected pools
and beaches, and obey warning
signs. Never swim alone. There
is security as well as fun in num-
bers. Make sure there's a quail
fled lifeguard present at all times.
2. Don't misjudge your SWIM
ming ability. Especially if you're
q once-a-year swimmer with short
breath and unconditional muscles.
Know how far you can swim un-
der various weather and water
conditions, then Eeep within these
safe limits.
8. Never dive into unknown
water. You might literally end up
a stick in the mud" Before div
ing, test the depth of the water
and check the condition of the
bottom. Look out for dangerous
rocks, broken bottles, sharp tin
cans, etc.
Keep away from weeds, grass
and lily pads. They're dangerous
sntanglements. You can't tell
current drag from the surface, be
'ure to check this before swim
ming. II you happen to get caught
n a strong current, swim across
t, never against it.
4. Rest, relax and cool off after
lard exercise before swimming.
'lunging into cold water when
atigued or overheated increases
'lood pressure and might cause
muscle cramp. !
5. Don't be water show-off.
Iorseplay in the water is about
IS funny as broken bone.
6. Avoid swimming in heavy
urf or under a waterfall. Aside
rom its strong pull this kind of
rater is aerated and thus lighter,
ess able to support the body.
7. Always race toward shore or
arallel to it, never away from
hore. Pick your distance. Make
ure it's a shorter stretch than
ou usually swim.
8. Beware Of water wings, inner
ubes, RATS and inflated rubber
r plastic animals. These objects
requently spring leaks. There's
lso the danger that children
hight ride them into deep water !
nd fall off.
9. X you can't swim, stay out of
mall boats, and II you are in a
Dat that overturns, hang onto 1t ,
S 1t will float. Don't dive off a !
nall boat. 1t might tip and spill ,
our companions, or you might {
,me up under the hull and injure
oursek seriously. Instead, slide
Ito the water.
II you're alone swim with a
rip on the tow line. Never over
ad boat. If the hull is more
ian third under water the boat
carrying too much weight. l
10. Don't take a sailboat out l
Mess you are a good swimmer d
nd understand sailing. Landlub-
ers cause many accidents. A F
lance wind can take you miles a
way from help, and the inexperi- o