MODULE FOUR SWIMMING AND FLOATING

Figure 1. Swimming and Floating

How do you define swimming?
Swimming - In recreation and sports, the propulsion of the body through water by
combined arm and leg motions and the natural flotation of the body.

Swimming as an exercise is popular as an all-around body developer and is

particularly useful in therapy and as exercise for physically handicapped persons.
What is swimming in your own words?
Swimming is defined as using your arms and legs to move through water. ...
The activity of moving oneself through water using one's arms and legs while
buoyed up by the water, carried out by humans for amusement, exercise, sport or
entertainment.

What is the purpose of swimming? Health benefits of swimming

It builds endurance, muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness. helps you
maintain a healthy weight, healthy heart and lungs. tones muscles and builds
strength. provides an all-over body workout, as nearly all of your muscles are
used during swimming.
What are the 3 types of swimming? Different Swimming Strokes and Their
Benefits
Freestyle. Freestyle is probably the most well-known of the swimming
strokes.
Breaststroke. The best swimming stroke is a matter of opinion.
Backstroke. Unlike with most other swimming strokes, your face will not be
in the water during the backstroke.
Sidestroke.
Butterfly.

FLOATING
Float is what you do when you're lying on the water. Hopefully you know how to
swim, so you can float suspended on the surface of the water, rather than sinking
straight to the bottom.

The buoyant force from water and the pull of gravity determines how an
individual floats. It varies considerably between swimmers. It requires technique
in swimming. https://www.your-personal-swim-coach.nl › floating-in-sw.

SUBMERGING/BOBBING is to move up and down in a short rapid movement

quickly.

What Is Bubbling in Swimming?

The technique of bubbling helps swimmers to breathe properly. Breathing

for freestyle involves exhaling a constant stream of bubbles through your mouth
or nose into the water, ... in which he/she hung on to the pool’s edge, inhaled
deeply and then submerged his/her head and body underwater.

a. Submerging (Bobbing) - is done by raising the arms abruptly, sideward and

upward when swimmer wants to go down and lowering the arms abruptly
sideward and downward when he wants to go up.
 Figure 2 Submerging (Bobbing)

b. Floating - is the best way to conserve energy combined with arms and legs
movement to provide propulsion and is applied as one of the needed skills
to be learn in swimming.

Figure 3 Floating

1. Back float - this is the best relaxing float, can be accomplished with the legs
together or apart and arms extended to the side or overhead. With legs together
and arms by the side there is a tendency for the legs to sink and drag the body
under.

This is used if there is a danger of underwater explosion to protect the

lungs and intestines from the concussion wave of the exploding ship.
 THE BACK CRAWL STROKE

Figure 4 Back float

1. JeIIy fish or tuck float- body is doubled up by bending in the legs, pulling the knees to
the chest. Arms clasp knees. In this position the body will not roll forward until only the back is
visible above water. The body will form like a ball floating in the water. This is the floating used
mainly when removing shoes in the water.

Figure 5 Jelly fish or tuck float

2. Prone float - the basic position is for a prone swimming stroke. It is
performed by lying down on the water, arms and legs extended. It is used with
the face submerged eyes open to see under the water or with the head high to
observe.
Figure 6
Prone
float

3. Dead man’s float -Take a deep breath and hold it. The air in your lungs is
enough to make you float. Play as a dead man on the water with arms and legs
relaxed.

Figure 7 Dead man’s float

D. Prone strokes

4. Dog paddle- This is done in the same manner as climbing a ladder using hands
and feet. This is recommended in narrow and crowded place.

Figure 8 Dog paddle

5. Breaststroke- This is easy and relaxed. It provides power, has reasonable
speed, conserves energy and best for long range. This is used in calm and choppy
water and underwater swimming.

Figure 9 Breast stroke

6. Treading water- Consists of standing upright in the water with the feet going
through the motion of climbing a ladder. The hands may be used to push down on
the water. Useful when stopping to observe.

Figure 10 Treading water

7. Side stroke-On either side if one hand is disabled. Used to carry equipment
above water or carry another man.
THE SIDE STROKE

Figure 11 Sidestroke
8. Elementary back stroke- A relaxed back stroke is derived from back float. Legs
inverted frog kick, or scissors kick.
Used when arms are disabled or when necessary to carry equipment above
water. Arm motion can be omitted.

Figure 12 Elementary back stroke

9. Crawl strokes- Head Up Or Either submerge on water. (Free-style)
 Figure 13 Crawl strokes or Free- style

E. Jumping - better and safer than diving. Left hand pinch nostrils and right
clutches the left shoulder or vice versa. Illustrated in figure 14 d

Fig. 14a Fig.14b Fig14c Fig. 14c

Jumping

Fig. 14e Fig. 14f

Jumping in the swimming pool and leaving a ship if you are one of the passenger

Figure 15. Jumping from a sinking ship

F. Underwater swimming- dog paddle or breaststroke but the latter being better.
Used to escape oil surface flames or debris.

This swimming stroke is also used in rough seas and pushing a tired colleague
along.

J. Relief of wounds and cramps-

a. Select the strokes that permits the greatest immobilization of the injured
or cramped part.

b. Elementary backstroke will be the best selection if the water is smooth.

The arms alone may be used in breast stroke, sculling, finning, elementary
back stroke or treading. The sidestroke position will permit one arm to be
trailed by the side.

c. Relief from cramps may be obtained by a position permitting relaxation

and massage.
d. Cramps in the extremities may be caused by cold or fatigue. Massage
stimulate circulation.

WHAT DOES DROWNING LOOK LIKE? THE SIGNS OF DROWNING.

 FIGURE 16. NEAR DROWNING VICTIM
RESCUING A DROWNING PERSON
1. Before jumping into the water to save a drowning person, undress as quickly as
possible. If there is any object that may be thrown to the person in the water,
such as life ring or any buoyant materials that may help a person afloat, throw
him before, jumping to the rescue.

Figure 17. Rescuing a drowning person throw first life ring or buoyant material.

2. Swimming up to the person in the water, assure him with a loud voice that he is
safe. If he is struggling do not seize him at once, keep of for a few seconds until he
becomes quiet; it is sheer madness to take a hold of a man when he is struggling
on the water, if you do so you run a great risk.
3. Always make your approach from behind. It is important to retain your
presence of mind, and a clear, cool head and keep a safe distance until the person
is nearly exhausted.

4. When he has ceased to struggle, get close to him and grasp the hair, turn to his
back, give him a sudden pull, which will cause him to float, the throw yourself on
your back and swim for the shore, one or both hands having hold of his hair, you
are on your back and his on his of course, his back to your stomach.
In this way you will get quickly and safely to shore than any other way. One great
advantage of this method is that it enables the swimmer to keep his head up and
also to hold the head of the man he is trying to save.

5 .There is probably no such thing as a “death grasp” when a drowning victim

begins to grow weak and so loses consciousness, he gradually slackens his hold
until he quits all together. No apprehension is needed therefore be felt in regard
to a “death grasp” when attempting to rescue a drowning person.

After a person has sink to the bottom, if the water is smooth, the exact place
where the body lies maybe known by the air bubbles which will occasionally rise
to the surface, allowance being made for the motion of the water, which is a right
way or stream will carry the bubbles out of a perpendicular course as they rise
often a body may be regained from the bottom before it is late for recovery by
diving for it in the direction indicated by the bubbles.

6. If the accident occurs some distance out of sea, it is sometimes a great mistake
to try to get to land. If there is a strong out setting tide, and you are swimming
alone or with or while holding a person who cannot swim, get on your back and
float till help comes.

7. These instructions apply in all circumstances, whether they involved rough or

smooth water.

Caution:
You should never attempt to swim to the rescue of a drowning person unless
you have been trained in the lifesaving methods and then only if there is no
better way of reaching him.
 However, you can help a drowning person by holding out a pole, or branch
or stick for him to catch hold of, by throwing a life line or by throwing him some
buoyant object with which he can support himself in the water.

Advance swimming use surface diving to retrieve articles in the water

which sank no deeper than 10 feet. In swimming to shore you can use breast
stroke, dog paddle, or side stroke looking ahead to check direction and bob under
the breaking waves. Don’t panic, the wave will advance you more than the
undertow will carry your back.

SWIMMING AND LIFESAVING:

The importance of Swimming to student of criminology cannot be
overemphasized he/she needs not only know how to swim to save himself in time
of emergency, such as ship sinking, but the student must also know to save the
life of his colleague who needs help.
For this reason all criminology student are required to pass the minimum
requirements for swimmers which are classified according to the following
categories:
Swimmers classified according to the following categories:
1. Swimmers third class- Enters the water feet first from a height of 5 feet, and
swims 50 yards. Those unable to pass this test are classified as “none swimmers”
and will be given special instruction. Men/women who just meet this test will be
classified as swimmers who need help and will also receive additional instruction.
2. Swimmers second class- Enter the water feet first, from a height of 10 feet, and
remains afloat for 10 minutes. During this time the swimmer must swim 100 yards
and uses each of these stokes for distance of 25 yards. This swimmer is classified
as one who can “take care of him/herself”.

3. Swimmers first class- To become a swimmers first class, a man must complete
the previous test successfully and be able to do the following;

a. While on the water, approaches man of his own size, demonstrates one “break
or releases, gets him in carry position, and tows him 25 yards away.

b. Enters the water feet first, and swims underwater for 25 yards, swims to break
the surface for breath twice during this distance at intervals of about 25 feet.
c. Removes trousers in the water, and inflates for support.
d. Swims 220 yards using any stroke or strokes desired.
This swimmers is classified as one who could not only can take care of himself but
is able “to help others” in case of emergency.

Basic Swimming skills:- Good swimming must not be confused with a lot of
splashed and speed. The purposes of emergency swimming and of swimming for
health and recreation are different from those of competitive swimming, although
one can help the other.
We are concerned with the basic strokes and exercises all students in
criminology should know. There are several things to keep in mind when learning
or practicing swimming.
1. Each student must train so as to be able to pass the test described in the
preceding section.
2. It is not enough merely to know how to swim, you must also build up the
strength and endurance for more than just a few minutes of splashing about in
the water. You must keep up your exercise so that you cover a real distance in
the water in case of emergency.

3. Exercises such as floating, breathing, sculling, and kicking are not solely for
beginners. Experts continue to practice these throughout their swimming career.
This and other exercises contribute to all around body building, they lengthen the
profitable practice of keeping many muscles to in action, and in times of
emergency they will keep a man going much longer in the water, for one set of
muscles can rest while the other works.

4. A “one stroke” man might look good in race, but in case of ship sinking he could
be a great disadvantage. A man going over the side may have to swim fast or slow
over or under the water, may have to put or take off clothing, holds up his head
and looks around, carries or searches for objects, floats patiently for hours, or
splashes heavily to scare off sharks. There is no end to what he might have to do,
and the answer is to prepare practicing all strokes.

CONTROL OF POSITION AND BOUYANCY

Jelly fish or tuck float - Double up, hanging legs with face submerge so that you
float like a ball with only part of your back above water. You may sink under for a
few moment but will then rise slowly until your back breaks the surface. This is a
good exercise for beginners as it acquaints them with buoyancy.
 Figure 18- Massaging cramped foot muscle

Advantages: Develop ability to hold breath. From this position the beginners can
learn to open his eyes underwater and familiarize himself with floating. From this
position, a person can slowly massage cramps in legs or toes. At times it may
serve as arrest for muscles tired from the stretched out of swimming.

Back float- Lie on your back in water with your head thrown back so that your
chin and nose are above the water. Let your arms and legs relax. Some people can
float well this way, others keep sinking as they exhale.

Try to keep your lungs full of air. Do not become panic if your face does not sink.
Gently work your hands so as to raise your chin enough for a quick breath and
then let yourself sink.

You will go down a little and come up your face may come all the way above the
water but it will come close to breaking the surface. After a while you will learn to
gulp your breath after you drift up, and to rest and relax while you boo (startle or
frighten).

Advantages:- Preparatory position for learning the backstrokes. Excellent way of

testing floating, during long periods on the water.

Dead man’s float and Glide.-Lean forward, face down in the water, and relax
completely. Play “dead man” all over let your arms and legs drift where they will.

Open your eyes and look around. See how long you can float in this
position. Now push your feet against the bottom or against the side of the pool.
See how far you can glide. Try steering yourself by working your hands and feet
slowly.

Advantages:- This float leads to the crawl, or speed strokes, and to the breast
stroke, or frog like stroke. It teaches relaxation, in the water, how to swim
underwater with eyes open, and how to make the most out of a glide.

Breathing:- In general, breathing for swimming is the same as for any other sport.
Try to keep it regular and don’t hold breath too long, don’t pant. In swimming of
course one has to acquaint or adjust the intake of air to mouth.

This will keep you from getting a nose full and it is quicker for taking the air
while your mouth is out of the water. Exhaling is done by blowing out through
both the mouth and nose. This keeps both clear of water. Try to take air in fast,
blow out slowly.

The more air you keep your lungs the better you float. The quicker you gulp
air, the less effort you exert in holding your face out of the water.

Treading:- Good treading is required for every situation in which a man needs to
raise his head and look around or to call for help, or to use his hands.

Treading is vital skill and should be practiced until you are able to do it for a
long minute at a time not just for a few seconds. Treading is also required for
nearly all water sports, such as water polo and water basketball.

There are several methods of treading. Practice all of them, and by

changing from one to the other you will be able to stay afloat longer. Only three
methods are mentioned here

Modified frog kick for treading: Stand upright in the water. Draw legs up together
with the knees spread out to the sides. Then separate and extend legs. Finally
press the legs together until the feet are about 10 to 20 inches apart.

The movement of the drawing, spreading and pressing is then repeated.

Pushing the legs out and pressing them together is what gives the upward thrust
of the body. This froglike kick can be practice by hanging on the edge of the pool.
Advantages: The slow movement is not so tiring as some of the other treading
kicks and it is very adjustable to whatever is being required.
A person can tread low in the water or thrust himself up high by this same kick.

Scissors kick for treading:-This is similar to walking and is easy to learn. It is best
practiced at first on land. Lie on your side with feet together and legs extended,
then draw them slowly up in a semi-tucked up position.

Now separate your legs, one moving forward the other backward. After the
legs are extended, squeeze them together. The movement should be, steady, and
continuous.

Practice in the water for a while, holding on to the edge of the swimming
pool or other firm objects.

Advantages: -The scissors kick for treading is easy to learn. It is a natural

movement and is effective but not tiring. It also leads to the sidestroke, which is
very important stroke for distance swimming and lifesaving.

Sculling:- Sculling with the hands enables a man to control to control his body in
water in a number of positions, without the help of his feet. Sculling and treading
combined will save more energy than using the feet or hands alone. Sculling also
has the advantage of teaching a man a sense of balance in the water.

It develops the muscles, the hands and arms needed for pushing against
the water, and teaches a man/woman how to “grip” on the water. You probably
seen men/women who splash a lot but go nowhere. Their hand slip through the
water without a real pulling effect.

Vertical Sculling: First method of sculling while holding oneself upright in the
water is to wave the hands vigorously back and forth in front of to the sides of
the body in a figure of eight movement. This forces the water downward and
keeps the body up.

Second method is to drop the hands down near the hips in the water then turn
the hands to about 45 degrees angle away from the body, thumbs downward.
With the palms of the hands push the water away from the body until the hands
are two feet from the sides of the body. Immediately rotate the hands so that
the thumbs are up.

The hands now recover, pulling water toward the sides of the body. When
the hands reached the side they are again rotated until the thumbs are down, and
the movement are repeated. The emphasis is on the push away part of the stroke.

A third method is to place the hands palms on the water, press down on the
water several feet depth, and recover again. All these methods or combinations
of them, will be useful at different times.

Flutter back sculling:-This is one of the best sustaining strokes to stay afloat for a
long time or to move slowly and easily in some direction. Lie on your back and
kick slowly up and down. The legs and feet ought to be in a knock-kneed and
pigeon toed position. The hands merely execute a slow sculling movement at the
hips.

SWIMMING STROKES
The Deftact 200 Water Survival swimming course is not interested in speed
swimming. There may be occasions where speed is needed, such a swimming
away from a sinking ship, catching up with a boat or raft, or swimming against a
rapid current. Or crossing a river bed with belligerent enemy ambuscades.

But usually it is expected that the person will be clothed when he has to go over
side. Or fully pack with battle gears.

In the crawl, or speed strokes, it is necessary to lift the arms out of the
water, and water soaked clothing would make this very difficult and tiring. At the

Same time, a life jacket and other gear would hamper the freedom required for
the crawl strokes.

The strokes satisfactory for criminology students during emergencies are

those with underwater arm recoveries. The more common of these are discussed
on the section that follows:
Dog paddle or human stroke:-The dog paddle is valuable sustaining stroke for
men fully clothed or wearing life jackets. It is particularly useful in crowded and
narrow places because most of the movements are under the body, and the
position of the head enable a man to look about him.

In dog paddle the legs execute a slow up and down kick, the knees are bent
and the feet are extended in a pigeon toed manner. The arms are also moved
alternately. Each arm is pushed ahead in the water until extended, then brought
downward and backward held straight the whole time, and strong grip is taken
out of the water.

At the end of the pull the arm is bent drawn up, and shoved forward again.
Avoid the tendency to hold breath and make stroke too fast.

Sidestroke:-The sidestroke is a good relief after one has become tired from the
strokes. A slight modification enables a swimmer to tow or carry objects, and it
can be used for a life saving carry.

Since it is practically noiseless it is likely to be attracted. Either the standard

scissors kick, the top leg goes forward while the bottom leg goes backward, in the
inverted scissors kick, the bottom leg goes forward while the top goes backward.

The whole sidestroke is performed as follows, Lie on your side in the water,
and resting on the thigh. The opposite or underarm is extended beyond the head.

On the count of one the legs are drawn up together toward the waist while
the underarm begins to pull toward the chest the trailing or top arm recover from
the thigh up to the chest under water.

On the count of two, the legs are spreading, the trailing arm begins to push
the water and the arm begins to push the water and the arms begin to recover.
On the count of three, the legs (now straight and separated) begin to squeeze or
thrust together while the arm finish pushing and recovering.
 At the end of this movement you should be back in the starting position.
This is appointing where a count or glide should be taken, the body relaxing and
resting momentarily.

If the inverted scissors kick is used it is well to lie partially on your back. The
inverted scissors kick seems easier to most swimmers, in any case choose what
feels best to you.
The side stroke is easily converted into the over arm sidestroke by simply
recovering the top or trailing arm over the surface. This is speedier, though more
tiring than the regular side stroke, and as has already been stated, it is well
adapted to rough water swimming.

To use the sidestroke for lifesaving carries or for towing equipment or

materials, it is necessary only to pull the underarm with a wide sweeping motion
in a shallower horizontal plane than in the deep, vertical plane.

The inverted scissors kick has the advantage here of making it easier to
avoid kicking the person or object being towed.

Backstroke:-There are several types of backstrokes which may and should be

learned. We shall describe only the elementary backstroke. It is a good relief
stroke, and it allows a man to rest other muscles while making considerable
progress over a long distance if necessary.

Beginners and mediocre swimmers find it easy to master. It is a stroke of

power and endurance. The underwater recovery makes it possible for the
swimmer to use the arms easily even though fully clothed.

In addition the face is out of the water so there is less breathing problem.
There is danger of depth charge or underwater explosion, the backstroke should
always be used, as it is the best protection against internal injuries from shock
waves of underwater concussions.

Either the scissors kick or frog kick may be used. The frog kick unless a man
has definite preference otherwise, is probably best.
 The frog kick: - is similar to that already describe for the purpose of
treading. It is divided into three movements; While lying on the back, legs
together and extended on the count of one the legs are drawn up towards the
waist with the sole of the feet in Contact with each other, this keeps the legs in
the same plane and knees are turned out.

On the count of two the legs are separated and spread quite widely apart; at the
end of the movement they are in an extended position.

On the count of three the legs are squeeze vigorously until they come together in
the original extended position. At this point the glide or coast is taken. The arm
stroke with the arms extended along the thighs.

The arms, on the count of one recovery by allowing the thumbs to travel
up along the side of the body from the thighs to the armpits. On the second
count the arms extend side ward and outward from the shoulders. On the third
count, arm sweep vigorously from the shoulder they are held momentarily during
the glide. The hands are kept beneath the water throughout the stroke.

BREASTSTROKE:-The breast stroke is energy conserving, yet it provides

power and reasonable speed. It has many uses. With simple modification it is
probably the best stroke for any of the following:

a. Swimming underwater
b. Swimming through oil debris-covered water
c. Swimming in extremely rough water
d. Swimming with clothes on
e. Pushing a tired swimmer
f. Swimming with head high out of the water

The breaststroke is similar to the elementary backstroke. The swimmer lies

on his stomach, with his face down in the water except when he raises his head
for breathing or for some other reason.

The swimmer should realize that for every time he lifts any part of his body out of
the water he expends extra effort. Normally then he should raise himself or do
anything else requiring a lift out of water for the shortest possible time.
The kick is executed in three movements. First draw legs up toward waist, with
sole of the feet together and knees separated and turned out.
The second movement consists of the extension of the legs outward, with
the lower portion of the leg from the knee down rotating outward. The legs then
push the water spread apart as far as it feels comfortable

At the end of the spreading movement are in an extended position. The

final movement is the thrust or squeeze of the legs in which they give the water
vigorous whip resulting in forward progress of the body.

At the end of this thrust the legs are extended and almost together
touching or not touching as comfortable. Then relax and rest while the body
glides on the momentum given.

This final position is the same as the starting position. The arms start from
the position of being extended in front of the hand. The arms pull backward and
somewhat downward until they are back as far as the shoulders.

Next they are brought together palm to palm under the lower part of the
chest. For final recovery, the arms are slide forward smoothly through the water
they reach out in front of the head.

At this point the arms and advantage is taken of the glide. Try to glide as far
as possible when doing the breaststroke.

It is possible to swim the breaststroke with the head out of water the whole
time, or to stay underwater for as many stroke as one has breath to hold for.

However the best form consist in breathing rhythmically through out the
stroke. As the arms start their pull from the head position to the shoulders, the
head is passed up enough to inhale once through the mouth.

During the rest of the cycle the head is dropped slowly in the water. The
exhalation begins gradually and s timed that all breath is out just before the head
is raised for the next inhalation.
 Underwater swimming- Ability to swim underwater is very important. A
good underwater swimmer can avoid surface hazards such as floating debris, oil,
or even flaming oil or gasoline.

It has lifesaving value, for it enables a swimmer to rescue a colleague who

has gone under. There are occasions too, when it is necessary to recover articles
lost overboard a ship in shallow water.

Almost any swimming stroke can be used underwater. The breaststroke

and the sidestroke lend themselves particularly well to underwater swimming.
The main thing is to learn breath control. Practice holding your breath and learn
to keep your eyes open as much as possible.

Swimming in burning oil - It is not possible to swim through burning oil,

flames, or debris, but it is possible to swim under them. If it is necessary to jump
into oil or flames, the jump should be made to windward of the ship feet first.

To make the jump a deep breath should be taken, the nose held and the
mouth covered with one hand and they covered with the other. The feet should
be held close together.

A lifejacket or inflated life vest should never be worn when it is necessary

to swim underwater. Clothing should be worn as a protection against flames or
debris but the shoes should be removed as they will slow underwater progress.

The swimmer should stay underwater as long as he can. When it is

necessary to take a breath, he should come to the surface with his arms above his
head. When his hands break the surface, he should begin beating away the
burning oil with a circular thrashing motion.

When the upper part of his body breaks the surface, he should turn, with
his back to the wind, continuing to beat away the burning oil, take a deep breath,
and submerge, using a feet foremost dive.

He should then swim underwater as before to windward, until he is out of

burning oil or until it is necessary for him to come up for air as before.
END OF MODULE FOUR.