Do you know how to swim?

[Lou66]

I like I said in a earlier post I can't remember learning to swim I just could,, same way with my children.. we have four,, they were raised on the bayou,, water was about 10 ft. deep,, when they were young I would throw them in and see if they could make it back,, darn they all made it.. lol.. they are 36 to 46 now and I asked them the other day about learning to swim,, They said the same thing,, I just always knew.. same with grandkids and greatgrandkids,, they start learning to swim when they start to craw that way they are not afraid of the water.. Lou

 

[jymbee]

Can't swim a stroke. ...

I'm one of those who just seem to sink and it does not help that my body goes into one giant muscle spasm as soon as I get thigh high into water.

It's interesting that several who posted here expressed similar comments regarding their inability to swim. I'm wondering if there actually is some kind of physiological predispositin that some have which makes them less boyant somehow? But as I see many people of all sizes, shapes, and weights that can swim very well, I'm left to wonder whether there are other factors-- or combination of factors-- that lead some to believe they're just innately "sinkers". Not sayin' it's all in your head, but just that it's curious ...

 

[arrow]

It's interesting that several who posted here expressed similar comments regarding their inability to swim. I'm wondering if there actually is some kind of physiological predispositin that some have which makes them less boyant somehow? But as I see many people of all sizes, shapes, and weights that can swim very well, I'm left to wonder whether there are other factors-- or combination of factors-- that lead some to believe they're just innately "sinkers". Not sayin' it's all in your head, but just that it's curious ...

Can't say for sure but drowning didn't help the "head" thing. The YMCA instructor told me I was only the second person in 21 years that he could not teach to swim. As soon as I let go the side of the pool I'd sink. He put one of those strap mounted flotation devices they use for the kiddies (which was quite embarrassing as I was 24 years of age at the tine) and I still sunk. All my children swim like fishes so if it was genetic, you'd think you see it there or perhaps I did not have enough children. I must have lead impregnated bones. (Could Wolverine swim?)

 

[mjarrels]

Every body needs to learn how to swim! Built a home made raft in Feb once on the river, failed to stay afloat. Quarter mile up the road was grand parents house, all clothes frozen in minutes. Two chairs in front of the wood cook stove, clothes dry, full of hot food and I think dad picked us two kids up along with our bikes. A trip to the dead sea is a great place to learn how to float. Never ever jump into the water to try to save some one from drowing, ever if you are a strong swimmer!

mark

 

[caps]

I grew up along the shore of the Chesapeake Bay. I can't remember not knowing how to swim. I didn't actually know there were people that didn't know how to swim until I joined the Army. When getting my scuba certification I found that although everyone is capable of swimming, there are some that have different buoyancy characteristics. Some ethnic groups have denser muscles and are less buoyant. Women tend to float better than men due to their subcutaneous layer of fat. Fat is lighter than muscle and those with high fat levels float better. In a fresh water pool I found that I have a neutral buoyancy of minus two feet. My wife can float effortlessly on the surface. I have a black friend that can lie motionless on the bottom of a 4 foot pool. The more salt in the water the easier it is to float. I can float easily in ocean water. Everyone is capable of swimming however for some it is a bit more effort than for others. I taught lifesaving at one time in the Army and there was no one that could not be taught if they were sufficiently motivated.

 

[clemsonfor]

I can swim, learned in lessons and in camps. Can tread water in fresh water an easy 15+ minutes and in salt for way longer, can breast stroke, freestyle, back storke, butterfly, sidestroke and whatever the backwards breast stroke is called. Not saying I have the best technique or am the fastest but know how to do them all. I can swim a half mile if needed and maybe longer, have consistently swam a hundred yards or more during the summer.

I could not imagine not swimming. Grew up in the ocean every chance we got and in highschool was in boats and swimming on the weekends and summer.

 

[aczlan]

Never ever jump into the water to try to save some one from drowing, ever if you are a strong swimmer!

As they said in Scouts, "Reach or throw, dont go" as there is no reasoning with a person who is drowning and in a panic to get air/stay afloat, they will push you under.
That is why lifeguards have rescue floats (ie: Lifeguard Float ) as they can push the float to the drowning person and the person holds onto it while they pull from a safe distance with the rope.

Aaron Z

 

[J F]

I enjoy our shower.

 

[tcreeley]

My girlfriend taught me to swim when I was 18. Prior to that I just gave up- tired of sinking when I tried.

 

[J F]

I definitely agree with all the kids learning to swim, as early as possible. I'm guessing I could remember if I had to.