arms are thrust forward alternately above water, the body turning from side to side. This stroke is swift, Fig. 6. but more tiresome than the cheststroke. then is brought downward at arm's length. It is returned by bending the elbow and wrist, so as to give as little resistance as possible. While this hand is being advanced, as just described, the upper hand is used like an oar, the fingers being bent at right angles to the arm. Thus the hands are used alternately, each doing its work in turn. At the same time the upper leg is kicked out in front of the body, and brought around like an oar, the foot being stretched out in a line with the leg, and the lower leg is stretched out beyond the back, and brought around to meet the other. Both legs are then drawn in for another are several methods. In one, the Swimming on the Back. There stroke, as in the chest-stroke. The swimmer lies on his back, keeping side stroke requires more practice his face barely out of water. The than the chest-stroke, but the body legs are inclined downward and offers less resistance to the water in held together, the stroke being made this stroke than in any other. It is entirely with the hands. The arms often used by skilled swimmers as a are kept closely at the swimmer's rest in going long distances. sides and he propels himself by a rapid twisting motion of the hands from the wrist, the back of the hand being uppermost to begin with, and the palm at the end of the stroke. The chest stroke may also be used in swimming on the back. The swimmer may advance head first or feet first, as he chooses, and he may use hands alone or feet alone in making his stroke. When the arms are not used they should be folded on the chest, or held straight along the side. Overhand Side-stroke (Fig. 5). This is like the one just described, except that the uppermost arm is Fig. 5. advanced out of water instead of under it, as shown in the illustra tion. Swimming Dog-fashion. The arms are moved alternately outward, downward, and then inward, with a pawing motion, but without leaving the water. The motion of the legs may be as in the chest-stroke, or they may be kicked backward alternately. This stroke is often used by beginners, and is the natural one for most people, though not the best for ordinary use. Swimming Turtle-fashion (Fig. 6). Like the last stroke, except that the There are many other methods of swimming, and every good swimmer usually has a stroke differing a little from every other. When one has mastered the simple strokes. he can invent other methods to suit his fancy. Some of the styles used by skilled swimmers, besides those already mentioned, are: 1. The corkscrew stroke, in which the body turns under water, apparently screwing its way forward. This is done by a patting motion of the soles of the feet, the swimmer steering with one hand, which is held straight forward. 2. Swimming with one hand or foot, or both feet, out of water. This is useful where a swimmer wishes to carry his clothes across a deep stream. 3. Swimming with hands and feet bound, or with one hand holding one foot. Diving, entering deep water headfirst by leaping. The water should be more than six feet deep, or the swimmer may injure himself by striking against the bottom. Various attitudes in diving are shown in the accompanying illustrations, but that commonly preferred is the ing the water smoothly. When beneath the water he may strike out, keeping under as long as possible, and rising at a distance from the place where he entered, or he may rise at once, aiding himself by a Diving Forward. one where the diver extends his hands above his head. Sometimes a spring-board is used to aid the leap. Before beginning to dive the swimmer should master the ordinary strokes, and should be able to keep his eyes open under water. He must leap so that he will enter the water head first, for if he strikes flat on his chest the shock is severe. When the dive is made properly there is no splash, the body enter Diving Sideways. Α downward movement of the hands. The depth to which a diver goes bepends on the angle at which he enters the water, and on his movements beneath it. Skilful divers often bring up stones from a depth of twelve or fifteen feet, while on the other hand they can dive without touching bottom when it is only six or eight feet below the surface. very deep dive is often aided by carrying a stone in one hand. The learner may begin diving by standing in water up to his waist and plunging into it head first. should try diving from a moderate height before he ventures to leap from a high bank or from a springboard. Some swimmers dive feet foremost but this requires skill to keep upright, if the jump is from a high place; and if the swimmer strikes on his side or does not hold his feet together, he may be badly He injured. Jumping into the water and throws up his hands, with the from a low bank, however, is perfectly safe, and requires no skill. When a swimmer dives frequently, he should fill his ears with oiled cotton. People who have large nostrils are often obliged to stop them up in like manner, and boys, when diving, often hold the nose in one hand; but this is awkward and can only be done when diving from a very low bank, or from a row-boat. Floating. The human body is a very little lighter than water, on an average, but the head is heavier than water. If left to itself, therefore, the body tends to float, bnt with back upward, the head hanging down beneath the surface. To float on one's back, keeping the mouth and nostrils out of water, so as to breathe, requires skill and confidence. The lightest part of the body is the lungs, and the swimmer's effort should be to alter the position of the limbs and body above and below the lungs, so that there will be a perfect balance. One of result that he goes down, his body not being light enough to sustain his arms out of water. The learner should remember that his body will float of itself so long as it is nearly under water, and that there is no danger of his sinking unless he tries to raise head or limb. In assuming the floating position, all the movements must be made slowly and under water. The lightness of the body will be increased by keeping the lungs as full as possible. To one who is skilled in floating the sensation is delightful, and swimmers often rest themselves thus in still water. In rough water it is of course impossible. Treading Water. To tread water the swimmer assumes an upright Floating. the best floating positions is that where the swimmer extends his arms above his head, throws the head back, and draws up the legs under the thighs. The body is not horizontal, but inclines downward toward the legs, the back being slightly hollowed. The only parts of the body above water are the chin, mouth, and nose. A more difficult position is the horizontal, the body being held straight and stiff, the legs close together. The toes, chest, face, and fingers are just position, only the head being above above the surface. It is also pos- water, and moves his legs as though sible to float perpendicularly. Con- walking upstairs, pushing downfidence is more essential to floating ward against the water with the than anything else. The beginner soles of his feet. Very slight exerusually feels that he is going to sink, tion is required to keep the head Treading Water. above water, but the swimmer must not try to keep it too high, remembering that when more of the body is above the surface, it is harder work to sustain it. Another method is to move both feet together, as in the chest-stroke-but this causes the body to rise and fall with each effort. In either method the arms may be held straight at the sides, or "akimbo," or folded across the chest. hang at an angle with the surface, as ordinarily, but should swim with his whole body as near as possible on the top of the wave. The upper current will then help him get to shore. Cramp. Swimmers are sometimes attacked in the water by cramp, a contraction of the muscles of the arm or leg, making it impossible to use the affected limb. Many swimmers have been drowned by an atSwimming in Rough Water. The tack of this kind, yet there is no swimmer should learn his strokes danger if one keep his presence of in still water, but when he has mas- mind. The trouble can often be retered them he should practise them lieved by rubbing, changing posialso in rough water. He should tion, or a powerful effort to try to go through the waves rather straighten the cramped limb, but than over them. In the surf it is if not, the swimmer should float or necessary to look out for the under- paddle to the shore, or until aid tow, which is a strong current of arrives. The chief thing is not to water flowing outward from the loose courage, for the best swimshore underneath the waves which mer, if he do this, is no better off are rolling in. If the swimmer lets than one who does not know how to his legs drop too low, this current swim at all. will strike them and pull him back. He should not, therefore, let them Swimming Apparatus. Many devices have been invented to aid swimmers (see illustration), but | before them while learning the use none are recommended for learn- of the legs. Life preservers, or deers, except that some teachers ad- vices to keep the body afloat, are vise their pupils to push a plank useful where it is necessary to keep |