FLOATING.
Floating, as understood in connection with swim ming, is the art of knowing how to balance the body in the water, that it may support itself on the surface, without any apparent effort of either arms or legs.
Many a life has been lost by drowning through ignorance of this important branch of natation. When through cramp, fatigue, or any other cause, the limbs have been deprived of their wonted power or vigour, it is invaluable, as the swimmer can then turn on his back, and rest or wait till help arrives.
A knowledge of floating is of great service as being the principal means of enjoying a rest during the course of a long swim; while as enhancing the enjoyment of a bathe, for, a swimmer to lie on the sea with his face to the sky, floating the one moment on the crest of a wave, and the next being carried between the clear rollers, swaying with the movements of the ocean, is little short of ecstacy. To some people, especially those inclined to cor pulency, and to females, it is as natural and easy as to others it is apparently difficult, yet, to float, especially in salt water, is possible with every one.
The chief consideration necessary on the part of pupil is confidence.
Let him lay himself on his back in the water, having first taken a long breath, lean the head well back, for, if the head be not far enough back, the chin and mouth will be under the surface of the water, while the top part of the face will be clear.
This order of things must be reversed; the fore head must be immersed, and the chin, mouth, and nostrils be elevated, so that inspiration and ex piration may not be interrupted. (Reference to the water-line in Plates VI. and VIL will fully explain this.) The arms should reach in a straight line beyond the head, the part between elbows and shoulders pressing against both sides of the face, the backs of the hands lying on, or above the surface of the water. (See Plate VI.) This position of hands and arms balances the body, by throwing extra weight on the upper parts, and counterbalances the weight of the legs, which are the heaviest parts, owing to their density, and distance from the centre of gravity.
Ile legs should be stretched well out, either to gether or apart, the back slightly hollowed and the chest fully expanded, as of course the larger the quantity of air in the lungs the greater will be the buoyancy, or floating power.
This position in floating, with the legs together, looks very neat when performed in clear calm water.