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Notes.

The secret of swimming on the back is to lie on the water, and not sit on it.

Always take in breath before diving, plunging, &c.

To sound for depth keep the legs straight under the body, stretching the arms above the head. To rise, strike out downwards with hands and feet.

In case of cramp exert yourself more than ever, a sudden jerk is the most effective cure.

When swimming against tide remember that by diving and swimming under water the tide will not act so powerfully against you.

To cure deep and slow swimming the chest must lie with greater force on the water, and a strain put on the small of the back.

In swimming on the back the knee should not be visible above the water when the feet are drawn up for the kick.

A man swims faster under water than on the surface.

The hands should work about four inches below the surface of the water; lowering them is the cause of many a mouthful; also in returning them to their original position care should be taken to bring up the hand over the breast for the same reason.

Swimming does not consist in the mere passive working of arms and legs, but by the energetic action of the whole frame.

When swimming amongst weeds, if possible swim with the stream; if entangled dive down and lay hold of them to tear them from the roots or to break them off, and persevere if not successful the first time.

When under water the quickest way of rising to the surface is by throwing up the hands at the full extent of the arm, assisted by the exertion of the whole frame.

Wabbling (a common complaint) is the result of the arms and legs being out of time.

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Breath should be taken in when the head is at its greatest height and the chest most expanded, i.e., when the arms are nearly square with the shoulder, at other times the mouth should be closed.

When diving, should you find yourself in a whirlpool or undercurrent, do not attempt to rise straight to the surface, but take a long slanting dive upwards.

When swimming the greater the half circle the legs make, the greater the distance the body will be sent after each kick, kicking the water as hard and as quickly as possible.

Avoid bathing within two hours after a meal, when fatigued, when the body is cooling after perspiration, &c., (after bathing), when there is a sense of chilliness or numbness of the hands and feet.

Avoid bathing on an empty stomach (except the strong and healthy early in the morning). The best time is from two to three hours after breakfast.

Salt water is more beneficial to the system than fresh, but as regards swimming it is best to leant in fresh water, it being harder to do than in salt water.

When bathing in the evening great care should be taken to dry the head.

There is no danger in bathing, however warm the day, if the water has been well warmed by the sun, otherwise it is dangerous.

Avoid putting on damp clothes, which are the most common cause of cold and rheumatism.

The ordinary bathe should not exceed twenty minutes in length.

Being unable to swim you may float for some time by hollowing the back, heaving the chest up, with the back of the head well under the surface, and all the limbs hanging freely.

Upon entering the water the head should be thoroughly wetted, and that frequently if the sun is out.

Avoid using cork belts, air belts, etc., which only tend to injure you eventually as a swimmer.

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Suddenly jerking the head back when under water has sometimes proved fatal.

A suit of clothes weighing 6lb. in air, when thoroughly immersed in water, weigh 11b. in endeavouring to rescue a drowning man. The fact of his clothes being on is rather an advantage than otherwise, hampering his movements, and enabling the rescuer to obtain a firmer hold of him.

When capsised out of a boat, always cling to it and wait assistance, and try and induce others to do the same.

Sixty yards is the longest known dive; twenty-five yards an average one.

A minute is the ordinary time a man is able to remain under water; nearly two minutes, however, is sometimes done.

When assisting a drowning man, do not forget "That a drowning man catches at a straw," and be careful accordingly.

It may be necessary to practise for three or four hours on the patient when endeavoring to restore life to the apparently drowned.

When leaping into the water keep the body perpendicular (especially at the moment of entering the water) which can be done previously by inclining the arms and head in the opposite direction from the deviation; if a running-leap, incline the body slightly backwards, to stop the descent spread the arms out.

The most inexperienced may safely plunge into a depth of water equal to their own height and half the height plunged from.

Before plunging close the eyes, opening them when in the water.

Cotton-wadding saturated with oil is a useful precaution for the ears.

When slightly out of depth, persons unable to swim may be saved by giving a spring off the ground each time they sink, and taking breath each time they come above the surface, working towards the shallow.

Raising the hands above the head is a sure way to sink.