Can You Swim?
 

A fourteen year old boy drowned in a lake when he fell off a make-shift raft. He was unable to swim but went out with his friends anyway.

So, I was wondering about two things.

1) Can you swim?
2) How is it that people drown because they can't swim? Meaning, it doesn't seem too terribly difficult to at least tread water - plus, we're born able to swim.

My thoughts
 

1) Yes
2) The only explanation I have is that people who "think" they can't swim get frantic and wear themselves out.

Yes

Yes. My sister and I took lessons at a young age.

Yes, but I don't like to. My mother forced me into lessons when I was about two. I fell into a pool when I was just learning how to talk, and it scared her to death.

1. No

2. People who can't swim drown (and sometimes take those people that try to rescue them along) because panic sets in. When you're sinking and swallowing in water, being calm and rational enough to think about teaching yourself how to swim isn't as easy as it sounds at that moment.

1) Yep been swimming since I was about 1 or so - my mother took me to one of those Mother & Baby swimming things... I've seen the movies of it - it's pretty freaky how little kids just automatically start to kick and such to swim.

2) Panic is the number one cause of drowning, followed by water conditions, followed by physical imparements (ie. drunk)... at least up here. When a person panics they act irrationally and expend enormous amounts of energy without accomplishing much: flailing around, getting up and down confused underwater, dragging rescuers under, hyperventalating, etc.... - further they are more likely to ingest water because of the thrashing

1) Yes. I have been swimming since I was very young and I am very good at it. At one point I was intent on becoming a lifeguard and an instructor. I let those lessons lapse, but I am still a great swimmer.

2) RACooper is right.

I am the first person in my family to learn to swim. One of my cousins drown in a fishing accident in a lake that he had fished all of his life. No one in my family will go anywhere near water.

I did not learn to swim until I was in my LATE 20's. I fell in a friend's pool, and she immediately signed me up for swimming lessons. I started off in the most basic water adjustment class in Red Cross swimming lessons. Three years later, I earned my certification as a Water Safety Instructor. Now I teach others to swim in free lessons. I am proof that older persons can learn to swim.

I am very proud to be able to swim. I am proud to be able to help others.

Silver

I can't swim/tread water. But I have learned how to float on my back. I figure that may be helpful until I learn how to swim properly.

Yep I swim.

Re: Can You Swim?
 

1) Yup. I think the life guard certification lapsed though.

2) It's really easy and even easier to drown if the water is rough and there are currents.

-Rudey

I've been swimming since I was born. We live right down the street from our swin & tennis club, so we spent every day in the summers there. I know there are people who can't swim, but it still kinda baffles me since I grew up doing it.

Yes I know how to swim. I have been swimming since I was about 5-- no formal lessons it just came naturally to me.

I am shocked at the number of people who don't know how to swim. Last week while I was at the gym, I was swimming laps and there were swimming lessons going on--the number of kids ages 14 or 15 who didn't have basic water skills surprised me.