How do people NOT know how to swim?

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

Some people don't know how to throw a proper jab either.

 

[apac]

If you've ever taken a small dog and held it just above the surface of a pool, it instinctively begins the dog paddle motion. Humans don't have this instinct.

Consider it similar to the footage of Iraqi/Afghani soldiers trying to do jumping jacks for the first time.

Doing this is also quite hilarious, by the way.

 

[Gooberlx2]

The concept of not learning to swim is absurd to me. I think it should be required to pass a swim test in gym class at some point.

Growing up around lakes and rivers in the Midwest, and the oceans when I've lived on the coasts, I just don't understand how some people have never been in a position where they've needed to swim...even if only in the pool at a rec center.

 

[F1N3ST]

The concept of not learning to swim is absurd to me. I think it should be required to pass a swim test in gym class at some point.

My HS gym class involved doing 2 laps every day for about a week, in a standard uhh big swimming pool? Lol, It's probably 25m or whatever, I have no clue. Had to achieve this before getting out.

But I live in Michigan basically surrounded by water...

 

[OverVolt]

Learn how to swim in two words: DONT PANIC

 

[Rubycon]

Swimming is boring.

Skinny dipping is where it's AT!

 

[destrekor]

Some people don't know how to throw a proper jab either.

Well define proper jab.

Punching for the sake of punching in a street fight is hardly a natural motion. I'm not saying fighting isn't natural, but a "proper jab", while very effective, isn't on the list of natural.

Natural animal fighting methods are pretty brutal. Hooks, jabs, flying elbows, knees, and feet... in addition to anything related to going for the neck - that's natural fighting.

Hardly commendable fighting in terms of street brawls, unless of course it's a matter of life and not a matter of respect.

just sayin'...


well hmm... to a point a proper jab is kind of natural, as many will never need to be taught it. But it's just one method in a laundry list of techniques. But if it's the only trick you bring to the table in a fight to the death, you might be overwhelmed. But then again, in a fight to the death (and both parties involved untrained in death-dealing), more pure instinctual defensive/offensive tactics will be used, often ones never used before by a person. That's instinct. We'd never survive such a fight with any other primate, but in a human tribal death fight we'd all be equally capable if untrained in the art. As long as it's not andre the giant squaring up against you, that is.

 

[destrekor]

Swimming is boring.

Skinny dipping is where it's AT!

Sinking and being rescued whilst sans-clothing ought to be a rather traumatizing experience, no?

 

[El Guaraguao]

If you've ever taken a small dog and held it just above the surface of a pool, it instinctively begins the dog paddle motion. Humans don't have this instinct.

Thats debatable. Put a infant in water and it just might start dog paddling as well. After all, we all spent 9 months in a space filled with liquid. I dont see how we as humans dont have the instinct to swim.

 

[rockyct]

Sinking and being rescued whilst sans-clothing ought to be a rather traumatizing experience, no?

Maybe it's a turn on for her...

 

[destrekor]

If you've ever taken a small dog and held it just above the surface of a pool, it instinctively begins the dog paddle motion. Humans don't have this instinct.

Consider it similar to the footage of Iraqi/Afghani soldiers trying to do jumping jacks for the first time.

That's the problem of our brain.
We have the instinct, but we've muddied our capability to rely on instincts with all of our knowledge of self.

Because some can be thrown into the water and figure out how to stay afloat, while others will drown. It's all in how we filter everything going on in the brain. The urge is there, but there is a certain frenzy that can be witnessed quite often as all the parts of our brain send conflicting instructions.

But it is true the instinct of swimming is far more innately bred into canines, hell directly evidenced by some breeds having moderately webbed feet.

That's an example of what I'd call a pure instinct. Humans have pure instincts that are expressed quite readily, and I'd reckon we have a whole list of more subtle instincts that are there but require the correct mental filtering. Almost all of our instincts, even the pure ones, get screwed with in the minds of some individuals. IMHO, proof that readily encouraging our frontal lobe to shine can have an odd impact on our performance as animals.

 

[Genx87]

I have always wondered this myself. One would think naturally your body could figure out how to keeps its head above water.

I honestly question people who claim to not know how to swim. I have a suspcion they dont like water and that is their excuse for not going in it.

 

[Rubycon]

Sinking and being rescued whilst sans-clothing ought to be a rather traumatizing experience, no?

I don't think that's an issue in a secluded lagoon at night.

There was a young couple a few years ago that fell off a cruise ship and were rescued. Both were nude. I'm willing to bet they were fooling around and did not intend to go over the side despite one admitting it was a stunt.

 

[Cheeseplug]

It is funny, I am a really good swimmer, I swam competitively for 5 years, but I have an irrational fear of deep water. So basically, if I am in a 400 meter IM race I am great and swim better than most people, but if I am in a situation where I would need to swim to survive (ocean, lake etc.) I freak out and start panicking, struggling to swim.

 

[wwswimming]

My brain is full of fuck when it comes to people who dont know how to swim.

Discuss.

you mean like an echo sound ? sort of like a specialized version of Tinnitus, brought on by land-lubber-ness ?

i don't know ... most people don't swim.

what i don't understand is people who have diabetes that can literally be treated by exercise - but instead choose to avoid exercise and take the insulin. i have one friend who does that; he thinks exercise is a waste of time, more than 20 minutes a week.

i think a lot of people don't understand that exercise feels GOOOOD, that's why people get in the routine of doing it, whether it's weightlifting or yoga or whatever.

what i REALLY don't understand is Bikram style hot-room yoga. it's like enlightenment through heat prostration.

i know some people, it really suits them AND they do get better at the yoga part.

but most people ... after one class we had a smoothie with the instructor and one of the women in the class fainted in the parking lot. someone told the instructor, and he said, "well, it's good for you".

CLIFF's - tangent about exercise.

back to the subject of swimming - it's interesting how it can dry out your skin. resulting in extreme itchy sensations. either that or i have ankle herpes.

someone should come out with a product that moisturizes your skin AND takes care of jock itch. that would sell.

my doctor looked up at me and said, "you have eczema".

one African American guy at one pool i went to spent more time on the the moisturizer than he did in the swimming pool. made me wonder if he was a Gigolo or something.

 

[seemingly random]

There's something very enjoyable and primal about swimming. I've had several dreams in which I can breath underwater. I always feel sorry for those you "can't" swim in that they are missing a great feeling. Most can't as the result of some trauma or phobia or lack of encouragement - usually passed down from their parents or caregiver.

 

[IronWing]

Stereotype = Black people can't swim. I've seen a black man almost drown because he was on a boat and fell off.... If you get on a boat, you should know how to swim.

The white man was holding him down.

 

[Bateluer]

My brain is full of fuck when it comes to people who dont know how to swim.

Discuss.

My dad was an ass around when we were around water and I now live in a desert. Not much opportunity for water stuff here.

 

[GeekDrew]

I can't swim. Can't float. Can't do anything in water.

My mom paid for swimming lessons for me, for years, when I was a kid. She made me attend them. The instructors/lifeguards were obviously only there because they were being paid to be, and didn't actually care of anyone learned anything. And of course I didn't take to it naturally, and needed help... didn't get any. I've tried a few times since then and still haven't figured it out. At all. And no, I'm not afraid of water, at all.

 

[ShawnD1]

i think a lot of people don't understand that exercise feels GOOOOD

Fuck that it does. Being in pain is never fun. There's a reason most people stop going to the gym after a month or two.

I always laughed when my dad would exercise like crazy then have trouble lifting his arms or pouring a glass of milk because his muscles hurt so much.

 

[fleshconsumed]

Yeah, it's unthinkable, but some people just never learned to do it. I know a guy who learned to swim when he was 30. I also know a girl who can't ride a bike...

 

[destrekor]

I don't think that's an issue in a secluded lagoon at night.

There was a young couple a few years ago that fell off a cruise ship and were rescued. Both were nude. I'm willing to bet they were fooling around and did not intend to go over the side despite one admitting it was a stunt.

well intentional is always a different situation.

Had one not known how to swim, and were nude...
that surely would have sucked, yes?

And see, you helped prove my earlier point (even if they did do it on purpose): if you don't know how to swim, you never one when an accident will happen.

Lesson learned: don't go on cruises if you can't swim. At least, don't go gettin' naked on a cruiseship.
Shower in your clothes! Only way to be sure. Unless you can swim, then go sans-clothing at every opportunity. Makes for favorable press. :awe:

 

[MotionMan]

We never learned?

Learn how to swim - Do not end up like Joe Delaney. He died during one of the summers that I taught swimming at the local pool.

MotionMan

 

[Miramonti]

When in the 8th grade I saved a kid from drowning who swam too far out in an ice cold mountain lake (10k elev.) to get his fishing bobber. He went into mental shock when realizing how far out he went, so I swam out and brought him in.

I credit it to my mom for teaching me to swim when I was 4.

 

[waggy]

well not everyone lives near a lake, ocean or has a pool.

Fuck that it does. Being in pain is never fun. There's a reason most people stop going to the gym after a month or two.

I always laughed when my dad would exercise like crazy then have trouble lifting his arms or pouring a glass of milk because his muscles hurt so much.

the problem is many who are out of shape then think they can exercise like they did as a kid. they go all out and yeah end up hurting. you don't have to do 100 sit ups on the 1st day.

I agree that exercise makes you feel good. not just physicaly but mentally also.