Scientific swimming Author:J. Frost Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER VIII. Directions to be observed on jirst attempting to swim. A. PLACE must be chosen that is known to be safe, and where there is not much stream. ... more »The swimmer then having gone in a few yards, or till the water reaches to his breast, should turn his face towards the bank, or place of entrance; and stooping forward, having inflated his breast, he must lay it upon the water, suffering it to rise to his chin, at the same instant being particularly mindful to take the attitude, described Sect. 3. Chap. I. to the full extent. He may now begin to exercise the limbs calmly, avoiding all hurry and trepidation ; and it will be proper to hold the breath, and keep the breast inflated, while a few strokes are made. All action in the back must be carefully guarded against; it should be kept as steady as if it had no joint in it. These directions being attended to, it is more than probable the first attempt will be crowned with success. If, however, after various trials, the desired end should not be accomplished, no doubt can then remain of action having taken place in the back; and the instrument for correcting that error, hereafter described, must be used. i To take a right attitude, and to guard against any action in the back, are essential matters in swimming. The want of understanding in these particulars, or of attention to them, has baffled the efforts of many. It is hardly necessary to observe, that the lips should be closed, to prevent taking in water. chapter{Section 4CHAPTER IX. Observations on bad Swimming. IT is observable, that many persons make swimming laborious work, and are able to hold out but a short time. The principal cause of this is, (though there may be great defect in action,) they do not sufficiently hollow the back, and throw the we...« less