Corpus of Modern Scottish Writing (CMSW) - www.scottishcorpus.ac.uk/cmsw/ Document : 306 Title: Hints on Swimming Author(s): Wilson, William Hints on Swimming BY WILLIAM WILSON, Chairman Associated Swimming Clubs of Scotland President West of Scotland Swimming Club, Author of "Swimming, Diving, and How to Save Life," "The Bathers' Manual," &c Dedicated with special permission to the Chairman and Committee of the City of Glasgow Corporation Baths. GLASGOW: JOHN SOMERS, PRINTER, 75 EAST HOWARD STREET. Entered at Stationers' Hall. FORSYTH'S Swimming Costumes, Gymnastic Costumes, Scholastic Costumes, Football Costumes, All ready in Stock, or can be Made to Order on very SHORt notice. OUTFITTERS to the University, and for all the principal Academies and Swimming Clubs in Glasgow and West of Scotland. 5 & 7 Renfield Street, GLASGOW. REID & TODD, 48,50,52,54 GLASSFORD STREET, AND 73 WILSON STREET, HAVE always on hand a largo stock of WATERPROOF COATS, LEGGINGS, CARRIAGE APRONS, AIR & WATER BEDS, CUSHIONS, SWIMMING BELTS, FOOTBALLS, &c. Portmanteaus, Trunks HAND-BAGS, &c. UMBRELLAS AND WALKING STICKS. UMBRELLAS RE-COVERED IN ONE HOUR. THE ARGYLE BATHS Hair-Cutting Saloon, 366 ARGYLE STREET, Is one of the Sights of the City. Fitted with Brushing Machinery driven by Water-Engine. No expense or study has been spared to make this Saloon the most complete in Scotland. Considerable attention is given to the Cleanliness of Brushes, Towels, and Cutting-- Cloths. Each customer is shaved with clean hot water, whilst the prices are exceedingly reasonable, considering that only first-class Hair-Dressers are kept. Hair-Cutting, - 4d. Shampooing, - 4d. Shaving, - 2d. OPEN FROM 8 A.M. TO 9 P.M. Gentlemen can have their Hair Cut and Shampooed as often as desired for 10/6 per annum. One trial solicited by A. ASTON, Proprietor. WEST OF SCOTLAND SWIMMING CLUB, INSTITUTED 1867. Object: Teaching and encouraging the Art of Swinnuing, and rewarding Members for Saving Life from Drowning. Meet for Practice — MONDAYS, at 9 p.m., Cromwell Baths. THURSDAYS, at 8 p.m., Green head Baths. ENTRY-MONEY, - 1s. ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION — Adults, 3s.6d. — Juveniles, 2s.6d. Pants Free. D. HANNINGTON, Hon. Secy., 33 WARWICK STREET CROMWELL BATHS CROMWELL STREET, Great Western Road, Near St. George's Cross. SUPERIOR PRIVATE BATHS from 6d. upwards. SPLENDID SWIMMING POND. Adults 4d., Juveniles 2d. Twetve Tickets, 3s. BATHS FOR LADIES. Open from 6 a.m. till 10 p.m. Sundays, 6 till 10 a.m. ST. ENOCH RESTAURANT, 4 ST. ENOCH SQUARE, GLASGOW. W. G. PIGOTT, in returning his thanks for the liberal patronage he has received since opening the above Establishment, begs to intimate that he has got it thoroughly Re-arranged and Renewed, and hopes, by continued attention and moderate charges, to meet a continuance of your favours. DINNERS, SUPPERS, AND PRIVATE PARTIES CONTRACTED FOR. MESSRS TURNBULL & SONS HAVE special facilities for the production of First-Class Portraits. Amongst them is their famous " LUXOGRAPH APPARATUS," which enables them to take Photos at NIGHT AS WELL AS BY DAY. A Private Studio set apart for Portraits in Fancy Dress or Swimming Costume. TURNBULL & SONS, 75 Jamaica Street, 75 GLASGOW. Hints on Swimming BY WILLIAM WILSON, Chairman Associated Swimming Clubs of Scotland President West of Scotland Swimming Club, Author of "Swimming, Diving, and How to Save Life," "The Bathers' Manual," &c Dedicated with special permission to the Chairman and Committee of the City of Glasgow Corporation Baths. GLASGOW: JOHN SOMERS, PRINTER, 75 EAST HOWARD STREET. Entered at Stationers' Hall. CONTENTS. PAGE Important to Bathers, - 3 Swimming, - 5 Preliminary, - 6 The Lesson, - 8 Breathing, - 11 Treading, - 12 Back Swimming, - 13 Overhand Swimming, - 14 Howard's Method of Resuscitation, 18 IMPORTANT TO BATHERS. With a view to diminish the number of accidents which occur during the summer season from incautious bathing, the Royal Humane Society has distributed throughout the United Kingdom the following CAUTIONS :— Avoid bathing within two hours after a meal. Avoid bathing when exhausted by fatigue or from any other cause. Avoid bathing when the body is cooling after perspiration. Avoid bathing altogether in the open air if, after having been a short time in the water, there is a sense of chilliness, with numbness of the hands and feet; but bathe when the body is warm, provided no time is lost in getting into the water. Avoid chilling the body by sitting or standing undressed on the banks or boats after having been in the water. Avoid remaining too long in the water, but leave the water immediately there is the slightest feeling of chilliness. The vigorous and strong may bathe early in the morning on an empty stomach. The young and those who are weak had better bathe two or three hours after a meal; the best time for such is from two to three hours after breakfast. Those who are subject to attacks of giddiness or faintness, and those who suffer from palpitation and other sense of discomfort at the heart, should not bathe without first consulting their medical adviser. SWIMMING. This is the purest exercise of health, The kind refresher of the summer heats; Nor when coldwinter keens the bright'ning flood — Would I, weak shivering, linger on the brink. Thus life redoubles, and is oft preserved By the bold swimmer in the swift illapse Of accident disastrous. Hence the limbs Knit into force ; and the same Roman arm That rose victorious o'er the conquer'd earth, First learned, while tender, to subdue the wave. E'en from the body's purity the mind Receives a secret sympathetic aid. THOMSON. The following instructions or "hints," it is hoped, will prove of benefit to those about to learn the art of swimming, it may be by themselves, or at the hands of a teacher. PRELIMINARY. In all your trials while learning to swim, think less of the water than of the motions of legs and arms, as hereafter described. Bear in mind, that in order to attain excellence in the art, the swimmer must control the water, and not allow the water in any way to control the movements of the limbs. Dress and undress leisurely. Boys should not bathe in tepid or fresh water oftener than once a day. The stay in the water should not be prolonged beyond ten or fifteen minutes. The immoderately long baths of boyhood are an absolute injury. Having undressed, enter the water quickly, but without flurry or excitement; stoop down, and immerse the head, closing the mouth and holding the breath when under, opening the eyes and mouth and breathing freely immediately the head comes above the surface of the water. Repeat this operation several times, until the body has become accustomed to the temperature of the water, and the breathing is natural. THE LESSON. Now walk further in until the water reaches midway up the chest, turn toward the shallow part of the bath or shore, lift the feet off the bottom, and reaching downward and forward try to touch the ground with one or both hands. The learner will soon discover that it is not so easy to go to the bottom as he may have imagined. Possessed of this knowledge he will have more confidence in the buoyancy of the body when in water, and with less timidity proceed to the more important part of the lesson, which is as follows: — Having first taken a long breath, lay the body on the water; at the same instant kick the feet out sideways, and put the hands straight in front, as far as they can be stretched in a line from the chin. The further the hands reach forward the neater and cleaner will be the appearance of the stroke. Next, bring the legs together without bending the knees, at the same time part the hands to the right and left, and carry them round until hands, arms, and shoulders are in a straight line across; the hands by this movement will have each described a quarter of a circle. Finish the movement by bringing the hands under the chin, the position from whence they started. In order to accomplish this neatly, let the elbows go backward and close to the sides, and return the hands sideways through the water, so as to offer as little friction or resistance as possible. While this movement is being gone on with, the feet should be brought close up to the body, the knees and toes being pointed outward, and the heels touching. Repeat these movements slowly, deliberately, and with mechanical precision. Beyond these three simple motions which form the correct stroke, make no attempt by kicking or pushing the hands downward, or hitching the body, to keep the head above the surface of the water. As the stroke attains perfection, so will the head and face come more and more above the water, until the lips are clear during at least part of each stroke. BREATHING. To breathe naturally, exhale as the legs are extended, and inhale while the arms are being carried round and the legs are brought together, while a suspension of the respiratory organs should take place as the feet are drawn up to the body, and the hands are at the last part of the movement. Breathe regularly at every stroke, and this accomplished, half the difficulty of learning to swim has been got over. TREADING Every one, swimmer or non-swirnmer, should know how to tread water. and thereby support the head above the surface, although no onward progress is made. The body is in an upright position, and one has only to kick the feet downward, in as nearly as possible the same way as when running. Or kick downward, using the ordinary swimming motions. Non-swimmers should have hands and arms under water, but swimmers should practise to have them above the surface. BACK SWIMMING. To swim on the back, the movements of legs are the same in every detail as in ordinary breast swimming. The hands should be put on the waist, the head and shoulders being laid well back in the water, with the chest close to the surface, and at the start the lungs well inflated. In this position the body requires no effort to support it, and the smallest movement of the legs will send it forward at a tolerably fast rate. It is important in back swimming, as with the ordinary stroke, that the feet be kicked wide apart before being closed at the second part of movement. In swimming matches the hands and arms can of course be used to increase the speed. OVERHAND SWIMMING. This method of moving through the water is the fastest at present known. In its practice, one of the hands, instead of being along with the other kept under, is, by a lifting of the elbow, brought above the surface of the water and carried along in advance of the head as far as it can be stretched. The palm of this hand is then turned to face outward from the body, the points of the fingers drooping slightly. The hand and arm is then pushed into the water, and, on setting the muscles of hand, arm, and shoulder, a strong pull along the body follows as the propelling part of the stroke is performed. All these motions are done with the left or uppermost arm. As the left hand has completed the positive part of the stroke, the right is put straight out from the shoulder, as far in front as possible, it is then brought down, scooping the water as it were, until it reaches almost, although not quite, down to between the knees. It is then returned along the body to the position at the shoulder from which the stroke may be said to have started. As the undermost hand is put out in front the legs are kicked wide apart, and as the hand is performing the pull downward the legs are brought together then without any rest the feet are brought close up to the body. Special attention must, however, be paid to the difference of the leg movements in overhand swimming from those of the plain stroke. As the body is lying on the side it will be easily understood that one leg is lying deeper in the water than the other. The one is therefore lying along the water while the other is obliquely pointing towards the bottom of the bath. As the feet are kicked apart the position resembles as nearly as possible a wide step in running, the topmost foot being sent straight out in front of, and at right angles with the body, while the undermost leg is kicked in the direction of one's own back. As the legs are brought together at the positive part of the movement the resisting surfaces are the inner ancle of the uppermost foot, and the instep, front leg, and inner ancle of the undermost. It should also be noted that the kicking apart, and the closing of the limbs before they are brought up, must be as nearly as possible performed in one strong, and at the same time, graceful motion. The muscles of the arms and legs, especially the arms, should have a rest between the strokes, and be only set in order to perform the positive motions. The mouth will be above the surface when the hand is carried to the front, this, therefore, is the time to take a breath when the hand is being pulled through the water along the body, at the positive or propelling part of the stroke. Practise to blow out through the nostrils as the body is being pulled onward through the water. DR. HOWARD'S NEW AND DIRECT METHOD FOR RESTORING THE APPARENTLY DEAD FROM DROWNING OR SUFFOCATION AS APPROVED OF BY THE HUMANE SOCIETIES AND LIFEBOAT INSTITUTIONS OF GREAT BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 1. — To Pump and Drain Fluids from Lungs and Stomach. — This is done by placing the patient face downward over a hard roll of clothing, so that the pit of the stomach is the highest point, while the mouth is the lowest. The operator supplements the pressure of his hands upon the back of the patient, above the roll, if necessary, with all the weight and force at his command. 2. — For Artificial Breathing. — The patient, whose clothing is ripped open from the waist, is laid upon his back, and the pit of the stomach is made the highest point by a hard roll of clothing beneath the back, while the head is the lowest part. The wrists are crossed behind the head: these a second person, if present, pins to the ground with one, while with the other the tongue is held forward by a piece of dry rag (a pocket handkerchief will do). The greatest possible expansion of the chest is thus obtained. The operator, kneeling astride the patient, grasps the most compressible part of the chest, on each side of the pit of the stomach, and, using his knees as a pivot, throws forward, slowly and steadily, his whole weight, until his mouth nearly touches the face of the patient. Then, by a final push, he throws himself back to his first erect kneeling position. By the sudden removal of the compressing force the elastic ribs spring back to their original position, and by this bellows action the air rushes into and is forced out of the chest alternately, as in natural breathing. Success may attend this process in a few minutes, but hope of a favourable result ought not to be given up under an hour. This method has a conspicuous advantage of unequalled simplicity, can easily be understood by the most illiterate person, and may be carried into execution anywhere, with or without a doctor. THE CLYDE FLOATING SWIMMING BATH (Under Management of Mr. and Mrs. Wishart) Is situated in the pure water of the Firth of Clyde below Greenock, and approached by a long pier stretching into the sea. Perfection of Sea - Bathing — Safety — Comfort — Purity — Bathing at all states of the tide or weather. Ladies' Hours — Daily (except Saturdays), 10.30 A.M. till 2 P.M. Gentlemen's Hours — At all other hours, from daylight till dark, and on Sunday Mornings till 9 A.M. The TRAMWAY CARS between Gourock and Greenock pass the gate leading to the Floating Bath. For information as to Season Tickets for 1880, application should be made to WELSH WALKER & MACPHERSON, Secretaries to the Clyde Floating Swimming Bath Co., Limited. JOHN H. STOKER, Jeweller & Medallist 85 Queen Street, GLASGOW. SWIMMING and ATHLETIC CLUBS supplied with every description of Medals and Badges at Wholesale Prices. THE NEW SCOTCH TWEED WATERPROOF, Our new process of Vulcanizing enables us to Waterproof every description of woollen material, and coats are now made by placing a thin layer of Pure Para Rubber between two plies of tweed or other cloths. These have all the appearance and fit of an ordinary overcoat. Large stock of every colour, size, and price to choose from. THORNTON, CURRIE & CO. India Rubber Manufacturers and Waterproofers, 43, 45, 47, JAMAICA STREET 2nd Shop North of Howard Street. ARCH. LAUDER, Wine and Spirit Merchant 84 & 86 Cowcaddens, 76 & 78 Sauchiehall Street, AND 3 Clyde St., Port-Dundas. ROYAL Lochnagar Distillery Whiskies FROM BALMORAL. KEAN & WARDROP, Ceramique, Mosaic, and Encaustic PAVING TILE LAYERS, WALL (Tile) DECORATORS, 142 BATH STREET Between Wellington and West Campbell Streets. Tiles of every description suitable for Turkish Baths and Swimming Ponds. K. & W. would draw special attention to their new Metallo Ceramic Bath, unsurpassed for its beauty, durability, and heat-retaining qualities. Highly recommended by the best authorities on the subject of Bathing. To be seen in the Show Rooms at the above address. THE ARGYLE BATHS, 366 ARGYLE STREET, Is acknowledged to be the LARGEST, CLEANEST, and BEST BATHING ESTABLISHMENT in the City. It contains 6100 square feet of floorage; and 72,000 WARM and TURKISH. BATHS were taken within them during last year. 30 Warm Baths always ready, 9d., 9d., and 1s. each. TURKISH BATHS FOR THE ROBUST and INVALID, 2s. These Baths are strongly recommended by the Faculty. SPECIAL NOTICE. — Gentlemen can have the use of the Warm 9d. Baths, with Hot and Cold Shower, daily, if required, for 12 months from date of issue, for the small charge of 21/- BATHS OPEN DAILY FROM 7 A.M. TO 9 P.M. WALTER WILSON & Co., THE COLOSSEUM, 70 JAMAICA STREET, GLASGOW. The Largest Stock of Ladies' and Gentlemen's Hats in the kingdom. BOYS' HATS, MISSES' HATS. IMMENSE VARIETY.