Land drill preceding the swimming lesson is very helpful. An expert person should be made responsible for not more than twenty girls at one time unless the girls are competent swimmers, and no one should be allowed to interfere with the rules and regulations laid down by the person in charge. Absolute obedience to all signals, rules and regulations must be observed. An assistant counsellor should always be in attendance at swimming lessons.
H. Swimming Crib as it would appear out of water. The crib is 35' by 20', outside dimensions, with end pockets for stones, 2½' each, leaving a swimming space of 30' by 20'. The idea for this was planned and executed by the Engineers of the Park Commission of the N.Y. and N.J. Interstate Park, for use in the camps in the Palisades Park.
Deep water swimmers should be able to pass the following requirements: demonstrate three different strokes, breast, overarm and back stroke. Swim under water. Demonstrate resuscitation. Throw a life-line twenty-five feet for accuracy. Demonstrate diving, shallow, deep and fancy diving. Rescue a drowning person twenty-five feet away from a raft. Swim 50 yards with clothes on.
It is always advisable during a swimming period to have a boat well manned near at hand. Bathing in fresh water, especially in spring-fed lakes is not as exhilarating as salt water bathing, and twenty minutes is considered the longest time a girl should stay in fresh water. Great care should be taken that no child is allowed to get chilled. At the first sign of pinchedness, shivering, or blue lips the child should be called out of the water, and instructed to rub herself briskly and dress at once.
The Morning After
Bathers should always be counted immediately before going into the water, and immediately after being called out. It is well to have assembly and roll call for this.
Suits