City, 12 miles in the sea, August 21, 1916, in 8 hours and 28
minutes, and on September 18, 1916, swam 26 miles in the Delaware
River in 11 hours 8 minutes 41 3-5 seconds, this performance being
the longest swim ever made by a woman in the world under same
conditions.
Modern Methods of Life-Saving
It is often remarked by those who have a very limited knowledge of
swimming matters, that it is the good swimmer who gets drowned.
This is a very erroneous impression and one that will not bear
investigation.
It is the fellow who thinks he is a good swimmer and who usually
tries some fool-hardy stunt which he is not competent to undertake,
who loses his life. Besides, this sort of chap may be a fair swimmer,
but he does not get any practice, and probably overeats before going
into the water, and goes far out beyond his depth, forgetting that
he has to come back again, and when his muscles and wind, which are
not accustomed to the extra tax, give out, loses his head, gulps a
big shipment of water, and then the excitement strangles him and
brings on heart-failure and he is gone for good. He is not literally
drowned, he is shocked to death, for I mean to say it, and most
medical men and other experts competent to judge will bear out my
statement when I tell you that there are very few people drowned in
the water, and that most of the deaths occur from heart-failure, as I
have stated above, while the fact that many of the drowning cases in
the surf are found floating face down, show that the shock has closed
up the epiglottis, and no water has penetrated the stomach or lungs.
But until everyone who attends school is taught to swim and be
competent to take care of themselves in the water under all
conditions, life-saving must be part of the educational work of
swimming, in fact, made a strong feature of natatorial instruction;
therefore, it behooves the skilled swimmer to learn the best ways to
approach a person in the water who may need help, and better still,
to know how to release one’s self from the death-grip of a drowning
person.
[Illustration: LIFE-SAVING—FRONT STRANGLE HOLD, HELD AT DISTANCE.]
[Illustration: LIFE-SAVING—FRONT STRANGLE HOLD, HELD CLOSE.]
[Illustration: LIFE-SAVING—BACK STRANGLE HOLD.]
[Illustration: LIFE-SAVING—PITINOFF CARRY.]
[Illustration: LIFE-SAVING—HEAD AND CHIN CARRY.]
[Illustration: LIFE-SAVING—ARM RESCUE.]
[Illustration: LIFE-SAVING—SCHAEFER METHOD OF RESUSCITATION.]
The chief don’t that I would emphasize is that, unless you are a good
swimmer yourself, and know how to keep cool in times of excitement
such as when a boat overturns, or some one is suddenly precipitated
in the water, you had better not attempt a rescue, for, while it is
very commendable to be a hero, unless you know what you are about,
two people will lose their lives instead of one. However, if you
are cool, and can swim well, to approach a person in the right way,
break any hold they may take on you, and tow them into shore and out
of danger, is but a simple task, although if you have to go quite
a distance, it may tire you a lot, but you will have that glorious
satisfaction of having saved a life of a fellow brother.
In attempting a rescue, never approach a person from in front, if you
can possibly avoid it, and you invariably can, unless you are in a
boat with them and you are suddenly thrown in the water, and coming
up near someone they may grasp you before you have time to get back
of them. Always get back of them and then it will be easy to grasp
them by the various holds that are herein described, and by telling
them to keep cool, easily tow them to shore.
The most likely grip to be taken by the drowning person is for them
to grasp you by the wrists, if in front of them. This is a very easy
hold to break, for, by turning your elbows up suddenly and your hands
down and outward, they will have to release because they have no
clutch on you but the thumb-hold. After effecting the releases, you
can turn the person around, so you will be back of them and then
bring them in by the holds here explained and illustrated.
A most dangerous hold is for the person to grasp you around the neck
with both arms, and clutching you tight, draw you very close to them
in a strangle-hold. When this hold is taken, you must put your right
arm under their left shoulder, placing your thumb and forefinger
tightly over their nose and shutting off the wind, while you press
your left hand against his back, drawing him to you and pushing his
head back. Be strong and rough about it if necessary, as you will not
hurt him, and very soon, because he cannot get his breath, he will
release his hold, and then you must turn him around quickly on his
back and the rest will be easy, especially if you assure him that
there is no danger if he will not try to struggle.
Another hold that looks as if it might be very hard to break is the
back strangle-hold, where the excited one grasps you from behind
around the neck with both arms. You must at once take hold of both of
his hands with your hands, throw your head back with all the force
you can, knocking him a hard blow on the nose with the back of your
head, and then by ducking your head down under water, you will be
able to get free, but you must keep hold of one of his hands in order
to turn him around as in the other holds, in order not to lose your
grip so you can tow him to safety.
Towing the subject to shore, of course, is much easier than breaking
the holds. One of the very easy methods is to grasp the person by
the hair of the head, unless he be bald, and as the body is easy to
carry this way and floats well, you can use both your lower limbs and
one arm to tow him to shore or to the upturned boat or canoe, if the
latter is near, for it is not wise to go further than necessary, for
someone will be very apt to come to your assistance if you hold on to
the craft, and numerous cases are on record of the rescuer becoming
exhausted when having to carry a person very far.
If you are swimming with a friend or near another person who gets
tired, it is the easiest thing in the world to help him, for all you
have to do is to ask him to place his forefingers of both hands upon
your shoulders, he lying on his back, his feet kept close together
and between your legs, and then you swim the breast stroke, and as
you have the use of all your limbs, the person will be very easy to
carry for a long distance, providing you swim easy and slowly and do
not try to hurry.
Another method of carrying is by the neck and arm hold, where you
turn the person on their side, grasping them with one arm around
and under the neck and over their shoulder, to prevent them from
struggling, and you can then swim on your side, using one arm under
water and getting a side-stroke kick, having the person entirely
under your control, in a case where he might be struggling to release
himself.
More people’s lives are now saved annually than at any time before in
the world’s history, on account of the advanced ideas now in vogue in
connection with the resuscitation of the apparently drowned, and with
the latest and best method now used, called the Schaefer method, it
is easier to bring the person who is recovered from the water, when
not submerged too long, back again to life by producing artificial
respiration, and restoring circulation, if life is not already
extinct.
As soon as the person’s body is recovered, he is placed face down on
the beach or some flat place, preferably with the head at the lowest
point, in order that any water that may be in the stomach or lungs
will be more readily gotten out. The face is turned to one side, the
tongue pulled out and fastened by a rubber band, a string, or held
out by an assistant, so it will stay out and not fall back again
into the mouth and close up the passage-way. The hands are extended
straight out beyond the head. The operator kneels down on one knee,
grasps the sides of the body just below the lower ribs, making
pressure steadily and firmly inwards and upwards, and releasing
suddenly, the idea being to make the lungs work something like a
rubber ball would act after pressure and on sudden release, or in
other words producing an artificial gasp, for the purpose of bringing
back respiration, for when this is accomplished, the circulation will
be restored, and by keeping the patient warm and rubbing the limbs
you will be able to bring the apparently dead back to life.
The work of the operator must not be too quickly done, but timed in
keeping with your own or natural breathing, and it is better to have
another person ready to take up the work when you are tired and thus
work in relays, persisting for a long time if necessary, or until
medical help can be obtained, for as long as there is life in the
body, even though animation be suspended, there is hope.
[Illustration: HIGH DIVE—PLAIN HEADER.]
[Illustration: Backward header.]
[Illustration: Backward somersault.]
HIGH DIVE.
[Illustration: HIGH DIVE—ARMSTAND WITH HEADER.]
[Illustration: HIGH DIVE—ARMSTAND WITH OVERBACK.]
Competitive Diving
The illustrations of various styles of diving have been taken from
the prospectus issued for the benefit of intending competitors at the
last Olympic Games, held at Stockholm, Sweden, in 1912. The text for
the regulation of diving contests has been taken bodily from Rule 55
of the Amateur Athletic Union handbook.
The Amateur Athletic Union is the governing body of amateur athletic
sport in the United States and every amateur swimmer who expects
to enter in races or competition of any kind should be registered
with his local association of the Amateur Athletic Union in order to
prevent being disqualified.
Regulations for Diving Competitions
_Instruction to Judges._ In making awards for points for each dive
the judges shall have regard to the character of the respective dive
to be performed, and shall take into consideration: The manner of the
dive (proper carriage, confidence and form), the force and speed of
the dive, the entrance into the water and how the run or take-off is
performed. When judging the carriage the individuality of the diver
should be taken into consideration. The bearing in the air should be
natural, easy, supple and graceful. When performing plain head dives,
the head should be erect, back hollowed, legs closed with feet
turned back, arms supple and fingers closed. The start should be made
gracefully, with confidence and in a bold manner; in running dives
the force and energy imparted should be considered. The entrance into
the water should be made without splashing and with good carriage of
the body.
For each dive each judge shall award points according to the
following scale:
Points.
Unsuccessful attempt 0
Bad dive 3
Fair dive 6
Good dive 8
Excellent dive 10
The judges may mark points and half points between those mentioned
in the above scale, but 10 shall be the highest possible that can be
awarded by any judge.
An unsuccessful attempt is one in which the competitor has failed to
perform the dive nominated.
In all jackknife dives the competitor should enter the water within
six feet from the take-off.
All head dives with arms by sides are ruled out.
Swallow and all other forms of straight front dives are to be
considered as plain front dives.
In all somersaults or jackknife dives with twists, the somersaults or
jackknives must be completed before twisting.
Under observation of the foregoing conditions and instructions in
making their respective awards each judge shall:
a. Write down his points for each dive performed by each competitor
according to the scale of points named in point table above.
b. The points awarded by him for each voluntary dive shall be
multiplied by the points allowed for the degree of difficulty in
each case as specified in the following diving tables.
c. After the total of points for each competitor has been found and
checked as being correct, each judge shall place the competitors in
the order in which they finish on his diving card. He shall give
1, to the diver scoring the greatest number of points; 2, to the
diver scoring the second greatest number of points, etc. If two
competitors score the same number of points their place numbers
shall be added and each given one-half. For instance, if two
competitors receive the same number of points, which is the second
largest on the diving card of a judge, their place numbers 2 and 3
shall be added, and each competitor shall receive 2½, and the next
following competitor shall receive the number 4. The place numbers
given to the respective competitors by each of the judges shall be
added together and the competitor showing the lowest total of place
numbers shall be declared the winner. In case of a tie the point
totals of all the judges shall be added together and the competitor
whose total of points is greatest shall be the winner of the tie.
A list of voluntary dives shall be submitted by each competitor
to the judges in writing before the beginning of the competition.
Changes in the list of voluntary dives are not permitted. No
competitor shall be permitted to repeat any of his dives.
The Referee must ascertain before the beginning of a competition that
the depth of the water is sufficient to insure the safety of the
competitors.
Competitions or exhibitions of diving from a greater height than 34
feet are prohibited.
The conditions of a diving competition, namely, height of board,
number of voluntary and compulsory dives, and the character of the
latter, must be stated in entry blanks.
_Fancy Diving from the Springboard._ The board shall have a length of
13 feet and shall be 20 inches wide and shall be of the usual elastic
character.
In championship meetings the height of the board from the surface of
the water shall be not less than 9 feet 6 inches, nor more than 11
feet.
The program for championships shall consist of the following dives:
Running front dive, back dive, running forward jackknife, back
jackknife and six voluntary dives selected from the following table:
Standing. Running.
1—Backward spring and forward dive (half twist) 1.4
2—Backward spring and backward dive (full twist) 2.0
3—Forward spring with half twist and backward dive 1.5 1.6
4—Forward spring with full twist and forward dive 1.8 1.8
5—Forward somersault 1.5 1.5
6—Forward 1½ somersault 1.6 1.6
7—Backward somersault 1.5
8—Backward 1½ somersault 2.2
9—Forward double somersault 1.9 1.9
10—Backward double somersault 1.9 1.9
11—Backward spring and forward somersault 1.7
12—Backward spring and 1½ forward somersault 2.0
13—Forward somersault with half twist 1.6 1.6
14—Forward 1½ somersault with half twist 2.2 2.2
15—Forward 2½ somersault 2.3 2.3
16—Flying Dutchman (forward spring with backward
dive) 1.8 1.9
17—Flying Dutchman somersault (forward spring with
backward somersault) 1.7 1.7
18—Flying Dutchman 1½ somersault 2.4 2.4
19—Flying Dutchman with half twist 1.7 1.7
20—Handstand dive 1.4
21—Handstand dive with somersault 1.7
22—Handspring dive with somersault 1.6 1.6
23—Jackknife forward 1.5 1.5
24—Jackknife backward 1.5
25—Jackknife forward with half twist and back dive 1.8 1.9
26—Jackknife forward with full twist and forward dive 2.2 2.2
27—Jackknife backward with half twist and forward
dive 1.9
28—Jackknife backward with full twist and backward
dive 2.3
29—Backward dive 1.5
In competitions where a lower board is used, the board shall be not
less than 2 feet 6 inches or more than 4 feet from the surface of the
water and the voluntary dives shall be selected from the following
table:
Standing. Running.
1—Backward spring and forward dive (half twist) 1.4
2—Backward spring and backward dive (full twist) 1.9
3—Forward spring and backward dive (half twist) 1.5 1.6
4—Forward spring and forward dive (full twist) 1.8 1.8
5—Forward somersault 1.5 1.5
6—Forward 1½ somersault 1.8 1.7
7—Forward double somersault 2.2 1.9
8—Backward somersault 1.5
9—Backward 1½ somersault 2.2
10—Backward double somersault 2.2
11—Backward spring and forward somersault 1.9
12—Flying Dutchman (forward spring and backward
dive) 1.7 1.8
13—Flying Dutchman somersault (forward spring and
backward somersault) 1.8 1.8
14—Handstand 1.2
15—Jackknife forward 1.4 1.5
16—Jackknife backward 1.5
17—Jackknife forward and half twist 1.8 1.9
18—Jackknife forward and full twist 2.2 2.2
19—Jackknife backward and half twist 1.9
20—Jackknife backward and full twist 2.2
21—Backward dive 1.5
_High Diving from a Firm Take-off._ For high diving competitions from
a firm take-off the platforms shall be 7 feet wide, fixed, free from
spring and placed at two heights, the first not less than 14 feet and
not more than 16 feet and the second not less than 24 feet and not
more than 27 feet above the surface of the water.
The program for championships shall consist of two compulsory dives
from the lower platform, namely, one plain back dive and one
backward somersault; and two from the high platform, one running
plain dive and one standing plain dive, and six voluntary dives,
to be performed from the high platform and to be selected from the
following table:
Standing. Running.
1—Backward spring and forward dive with half twist 1.4
2—Forward spring and backward dive with half twist 1.6 1.7
3—Forward spring and forward dive with full twist 1.9 1.9
4—Backward spring and backward dive with full twist 2.1
5—Armstand 1.6
6—Armstand and somersault 1.5
7—Armstand backward fall dive 2.1
8—Armstand with double somersault 2.2
9—Backward dive 2.1
10—Backward somersault 1.7
11—Forward somersault 2.1 2.1
12—Forward 1½ somersault 1.9 1.9
13—Forward double somersault 2.2 2.2
14—Forward 2½ somersault 2.3 2.3
15—Backward 1½ somersault 2.4
16—Backward double somersault 2.1
17—Forward somersault with half twist 2.1 2.1
18—Forward 1½ somersault with half twist 2.2 2.2
19—Backward spring and forward somersault 1.8
20—Backward spring and forward 1½ somersault 2.0
21—Flying Dutchman 2.1 2.2
22—Flying Dutchman somersault 1.9 1.9
23—Flying Dutchman 1½ somersault 2.5 2.5
24—Flying Dutchman double somersault 2.3 2.3
25—Flying Dutchman with half twist 1.8 1.8
26—Jackknife forward 1.4 1.4
27—Jackknife backward 1.4
28—Jackknife forward with half twist 1.9 1.9
29—Jackknife forward with full twist 2.1 2.1
30—Jackknife backward with half twist 2.0
31—Jackknife backward with full twist 2.2
_Plunge for Distance._ The maximum height of take-off for the plunge
for distance shall be limited to eighteen inches above the surface of
the water.
A plunge shall be a standing dive, made head first from an indicated
firm take-off (i. e., diving base), free from spring. The body is
to be kept motionless—face downward—and no progressive action to be
imparted to it other than impetus of the dive.
The plunge shall terminate, if the competitor has not already raised
his face above the surface of the water, at the expiration of 60
seconds, or such time as may have been previously announced by the
promoting body. The duration of such plunge shall be reckoned from
the time the competitor dives from the take-off.
At the finish of any plunge the competitor must leave the water as
quietly as possible. Anyone disturbing the water so as to interfere
with the progress of the competitor following will be disqualified.
The distance traversed in a plunge shall be measured along a straight
line, at right angles to the diving base, to a line parallel to the
diving base, over the farthest point reached by any portion of the
competitor’s body while fulfilling the above conditions.
In championship or level contests each competitor shall be allowed
three plunges, and the farthest plunge shall win. In handicaps, the
number of plunges shall be left to the discretion of the promoting
club.
When a competitor touches the side of the tank or pool, his distance
shall be taken and he shall be compelled to stop.
A line may be made or painted along the bottom of the pool or tank to
enable the competitors to guide themselves.
_Miscellaneous._ A competitor in turning must touch the end of the
bath or course with one or both hands before kicking off.
Standing upon the bottom in the shallow end of a bath during a
competition is only allowed for the purpose of resting. Walking or
jumping from the bottom in the shallow end of a bath shall not be
allowed.
The competitor in a handicap race who has the lowest handicap shall
have the choice of position.
Where two men are on the same mark they shall draw for choice of
position.
In case of a dead heat in a handicap the competitor with the lowest
handicap shall be declared the winner. Where a dead heat occurs
between two men on the same mark the tie shall be decided by a
swim-off on the same day, or the one refusing to swim shall be given
the next lowest prize.
Choice of position shall be drawn for in races other than handicaps.
When a trophy or prize is given to a club scoring the greatest number
of points in a meeting, the points shall be counted as follows:
Points.
First in swim, plunge or dive 5
Second in swim, plunge or dive 3
Third in swim, plunge or dive 1
First in relay race 10
Second in relay race 6
Third in relay race 2
First in water polo 15
Second in water polo 9
Third in water polo 3
HOW TO SCORE A DIVING COMPETITION.
SUGGESTIONS FOR SCORE CARDS.
Blanks for voluntary dives to be supplied by the club holding the
competition. After filling them out and signing them, competitors
deliver them to the clerk of the course. The announcer announces each
voluntary dive from these blanks when the respective competitor’s
turn comes, and the diving judges must see that the dive nominated
shall be performed. After the competition these blanks are turned
over to the diving scorers.
[Illustration: HIGH DIVE—FLYING SOMERSAULT FORWARD.]
[Illustration: HIGH DIVE—ONE AND A HALF SOMERSAULT FORWARD.]
[Illustration: HIGH DIVE—ARMSTAND WITH SOMERSAULT.]
[Illustration: HIGH DIVE—ONE SOMERSAULT FORWARD.]
[Illustration: HIGH DIVE—BACKWARD SPRING OUTWARD AND TURNING INWARD
WITH HEADER.]
[Illustration: Backward spring outward and turning inward with
somersault.
Backward spring outward and turning inward with 1½ somersault.
HIGH DIVE.]
[Illustration: HIGH DIVE—ISANDER’S DIVE.]
[Illustration: HIGH DIVE—MOLLBERG’S DIVE.]
VOLUNTARY DIVES.
——+—————————+——————————————————————————————————————————————+——————————
|Number | |Grade of
|in Table | Description |Difficulty
——+—————————+——————————————————————————————————————————————+——————————
1.| 6 |Forward, 1½ Somersault, standing | 1.6
——+—————————+——————————————————————————————————————————————+——————————
2.| 7 |Backward Somersault | 1.5
——+—————————+——————————————————————————————————————————————+——————————
3.| 16 |Flying Dutchman, standing | 1.8
——+—————————+——————————————————————————————————————————————+——————————
4.| 16 |Flying Dutchman, running | 1.9
——+—————————+——————————————————————————————————————————————+——————————
5.| 8 |Backward, 1½ Somersault | 2.2
——+—————————+——————————————————————————————————————————————+——————————
6.| 25 |Jackknife, forward, with Half Twist, standing | 1.8
——+—————————+——————————————————————————————————————————————+——————————
Competitor’s Signature:
_S. Jones_.
VOLUNTARY DIVES.
——+—————————+——————————————————————————————————————————————+——————————
|Number | |Grade of
|in Table | Description |Difficulty
——+—————————+——————————————————————————————————————————————+——————————
1.| 15 |2½ Forward Somersault, standing | 2.3
——+—————————+——————————————————————————————————————————————+——————————
2.| 15 |2½ Forward Somersault, running | 2.3
——+—————————+——————————————————————————————————————————————+——————————
3.| 18 |1½ Flying Dutchman, standing | 2.4
——+—————————+——————————————————————————————————————————————+——————————
4.| 18 |1½ Flying Dutchman, running | 2.4
——+—————————+——————————————————————————————————————————————+——————————
5.| 14 |1½ Forward Somersault with Half Twist, |
| | standing | 2.2
——+—————————+——————————————————————————————————————————————+——————————
6.| 12 |Backward Spring, 1½ Forward Somersault | 2.0
——+—————————+——————————————————————————————————————————————+——————————
Competitor’s Signature:
_W. Smith_.
VOLUNTARY DIVES.