Can you swim

[jkjnp]

I'm a master at the doggie paddle! Great question.

[robc22]

Ya.....I don't automatically sink..........

[MarshCappa]

My parents got me into swimming lessons down at the Middletown Y before my first memories. Grew up at Eastons beach so I swam everyday once the water was warm enough. I swam competively from grade school through my freshman year in high school and was pretty darn good. Butterfly was my specialty. 4th in Bay State games at age 13. Later in college I taught swim lessons at the Y and was a lifeguard for many years so yeah, I can save your life. I've actually pulled 3 people out of the water and did CPR once. That kind of stuff stays with you for the rest of your life. I'm out of shape now though but can still swim well but nothing like I used too.

[piemma]

Learned to swim when I was 8 in the Boy Scouts. My old man threw me in the deep end of the pool at the Wansket Boys Club one night on an outing.
Learned better survival skills in SF training in the Service.
I knew I could save my own a$$ but wasn't sure about saving others until I saved 2 kids in Florida about 20 years ago in the cut between Sanibel and Captive Islands.

[bloocrab]

Swimming takes on a new meaning when you have those bulky style korkers on, along with waders, a loose belt and an $800 reel.

I think a better question is ...when the time comes to decide to lessen the load, will you do it in time?

When you get swept off that rock and can't find solid footing, will you be quick enough to kick off your korkers, will you give up your possessions before it's too late?

I'd have to guess NO, as most will think they will find that necessary footing in time to get back up...as the pull of the next wave takes them further away from the rock-pile possibly lifting them up...only to drop them violently against it.

It's one thing to think about what you'd do from behind your keyboard...it's another to actually live through it, and believe you did the right thing by giving up your gear.

I for one, will have a hard time giving up the gear...so when you read about me in the Obituaries....it was because I wouldn't give up my gear to King Neptune.


...but back to your question, YES....I can swim, and truly feel comfortable when in the water in the right attire. Have to say though, I never tried swimming in waders with heavy boots on, while holding my gear. .....although swimming neked scares me the most....

[Back Beach]

Almost like a fish, but have never had to save anyone's life.

Situational awareness has a huge impact on how well you actually apply your swimming skills though. First time in wet suit swimming to a distant rock I was hyperventilating once I reached the rock as there were many factors beyond just swimming involved which I hadn't considered.

[eskimo]

I swim often. Both with a wetsuit and just for fun.
I always get a urge to head out to float around on warm bright days, usually not far from the places I frequent at night.

take away the daylight and add gear along with other elements and its definitely no comparison.

[macojoe]

Use to be pretty good, but with health and age i have told all if I go in wave good bye

[Saltheart]

I was allowed to join the Boyscouts 30 days before my eleventh birthday. Two weeks later I earned the mile swim badge , 14 days before my eleventh birthday. I took all the red cross courses right up to and including Water Safety Instructor.

So I know how to swim. being somewaht fatter than I was , I have no idea how my stamina is but its a fact that the more comfortable you are in the water , the slower you burn energy and the less work you have to do to stay afloat and move along.


For one swimming course I took I had to tread water for 2 hours!. After a while you learn that if you are perfectly relaxed and do not worry about keeping your head up , you can float almost indefinitely without moving a muscle.

[MAKAI]

I'll get you some water wings Johnny D

[ivanputski]

The difference between how far i can swim for fun, and how far I can swim to save my life and see my wife and son again is a huge difference... you'd be surprised what adrenaline can do for you... bottom line, I'm gonna make it one way or another... I simply have to

[agsurfr]

Love the water. Got caught in a rip at Lucy Vincent MV w/my best friend while I was college. Very scary. There was no doubt in my mind that I was going to be fine, but the look in my buddy's eyes was pure terror. We were swept straight away from the beach and could not swim against the flow. We swam parallel to beach and finally got out of the rip. By the time we made it back to the breaking waves and I could touch the bottom he was like a rag doll, could barely walk. Scared the hell out of me.

The worst of it was I was worried about getting too close to him because the look in his eyes told me he was near panic and I felt he could drown us both. Didn't like my options that sunny afternoon, possibly watching my best friend drown, or trying to save him and risk both of us. Fortunately I was able to encourage him to swim with me.

He was right on the edge. It was a bad day.

Keeping your head is probably more important than being a webbed-toed submariner. A cool head is often your greatest asset when things get dicey.
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