Are AHers able to swim

Richard Hillman · 21-09-2013 06:06PM

I swim like Michelle Smith before she got into the practice of tampering her drug tests.

markomuscle · 21-09-2013 06:07PM

I can execute the arm and leg motions but I can't do the breathing or the treading of water. Myself and a friend were in our own group of 2 during school swimming sessions (from ages 6-12), everyone else was swimming in the deep end and we were wearing floating contraptions around our waists.
We did get a 5 metre certificate though when no extra breath was required.

Howard Juneau · 21-09-2013 06:07PM

No, I can't!
Saw a report before that said 64% of people who drown are swimmers....I prefer to be in the other 36% tyvm!

Zen65 · 21-09-2013 06:13PM

I can swim, but not especially well. Enough to get out of a pool I guess.

Pug160 · 21-09-2013 06:16PM

Howard Juneau wrote: »

No, I can't!
Saw a report before that said 64% of people who drown are swimmers....I prefer to be in the other 36% tyvm!

Well I'm surprised if that's true but it depends on context. A lot of people drown because they ''can't swim''. They panic and make things much worse for themselves. Also, sometimes the people who try to save the non swimmers who get into difficulty can often be pulled into the water by the person they are trying to save and both of them can end up drowning.

There is a very sad video on the internet of a Middle Eastern couple on their honeymoon. It shows them standing on what seems to be a shallow lake or pond but it appears as though they cross over into deeper water and the man panics and ends up drowning the woman (or they both panic and drown each other perhaps). Very sad, but it's a good example of what I'm talking about.

Galwayguy35 · 21-09-2013 06:27PM

Nope, never learned and would feel foolish trying to learn now.

Rho b · 21-09-2013 06:33PM

No cannot swim and am terrified of getting into water. Nearly drowned when I was 7. A friend tried to get me swimming a few years ago but to be honest I found it difficult even to float.
Although its something I would like to be able to do but so far have not managed to pluck up the courage.

Karl Stein · 21-09-2013 06:36PM

Yeah I'm a good swimmer and can dive quite well too. I've been trying to convince my BIL to go down here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gveUynMfZbw

and do that jump with me. :eek:

Howard Juneau · 21-09-2013 06:50PM

Pug160 wrote: »

Well I'm surprised if that's true but it depends on context. A lot of people drown because they ''can't swim''. They panic and make things much worse for themselves. Also, sometimes the people who try to save the non swimmers who get into difficulty can often be pulled into the water by the person they are trying to save and both of them can end up drowning.

There is a very sad video on the internet of a Middle Eastern couple on their honeymoon. It shows them standing on what seems to be a shallow lake or pond but it appears as though they cross over into deeper water and the man panics and ends up drowning the woman (or they both panic and drown each other perhaps). Very sad, but it's a good example of what I'm talking about.

Its as high as 66% actually, and a lot of sea fishermen don't bother learning either as they would rather go down quickly & not struggle to stay alive & prolong their agony

Oryx · 21-09-2013 06:54PM

Howard Juneau wrote: »

No, I can't!
Saw a report before that said 64% of people who drown are swimmers....I prefer to be in the other 36% tyvm!

Soyou want to be one of the non swimmers who also drowns?

Howard Juneau · 21-09-2013 06:59PM

Oryx wrote: »

Soyou want to be one of the non swimmers who also drowns?

Nope, I want to be one of the non swimmers who isn't going to go out above waist level.
A big factor in drownings is the ability of the swimmer.
Unfortunately, people learn to swim in pools & don't know anything about the strength of sea currents & tides.

WoollyRedHat · 21-09-2013 07:11PM

Only in GTA. And even then...

smurfjed · 21-09-2013 07:43PM

Every year we get dumped into a swimming pool and have to fight our way into a life raft, so you could say that swimming is a job requirement.

Shenshen · 21-09-2013 08:21PM

Yes, it always surprised me how so many people here and in the UK can't swim... I grew up some 800km from the nearest beach, we just learned in a river.

Pug160 · 21-09-2013 08:27PM

Howard Juneau wrote: »

Its as high as 66% actually, and a lot of sea fishermen don't bother learning either as they would rather go down quickly & not struggle to stay alive & prolong their agony

It's obviously better to be a swimmer than to not be if you're around water. There are certain circumstances where it wouldn't matter but anyone with half a brain knows that you shouldn't be in water unsupervised if you have a phobia or can't really swim.

Rho b · 21-09-2013 08:36PM

Pug160 wrote: »

It's obviously better to be a swimmer than to not be if you're around water. There are certain circumstances where it wouldn't matter but anyone with half a brain knows that you shouldn't be in water unsupervised if you have a phobia or can't really swim.

Pug160, I love fishing and have a lake boat although Iam terrified of the water. So I bought a super duper self inflatable life vest. I would never get into the boat or fish from the shore without wearing it.

Lando Griffin · 21-09-2013 08:42PM

Was an avid swimmer when I was younger but the drink got meas I going on my 20s and gave up.
Between one thing and another didnt bother until recently and Iv started again.
Having trouble with breathing but that will fix itsself.

Howard Juneau · 21-09-2013 08:51PM

Pug160 wrote: »

It's obviously better to be a swimmer than to not be if you're around water. There are certain circumstances where it wouldn't matter but anyone with half a brain knows that you shouldn't be in water unsupervised if you have a phobia or can't really swim.

I think the amount of drownings & near drownings this year prove that a lot of people either underestimate the power of the sea or overestimate their swimming abilities.

kerry4sam · 21-09-2013 08:56PM

WIZE wrote: »

I for one am a crap swimmer and planning to starting again with adult swimming lessons.

For an Island surrounded by water I know a lot of people unable to swim

Yes I can swim and find it relaxing doing laps of the pool

Not able to swim at the moment though due to an injury in my lumbar region, but would like to get back swimming again before year out.

You should try and take up swimming if you can; great sport to assist you with keeping fit. You can take swim lessons either individually or in groups with your peers.

donegal__road · 21-09-2013 09:05PM

Lando Griffin wrote: »

Was an avid swimmer when I was younger but the drink got meas I going on my 20s and gave up.
Between one thing and another didnt bother until recently and Iv started again.
Having trouble with breathing but that will fix itsself.

I took it up again after over 20 years of not swimming. A while ago I was swimming 40 lengths a day, but because of the difficulty with timing the breathing, I swim the back-stroke only.

Itwasntme. · 21-09-2013 10:04PM

I can't: swim, whistle, ride a bicycle, drive....there's a whole lot of skills I don't have unfortunately. I should probably look into crossing a few them of my to-do list.

Are AHers able to swim

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