How do people NOT know how to swim?

[JEDIYoda]

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

Discuss.

Does that mean your brain is full of something else....

 

[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.

Additionally, I've realized that my muscles are probably a huge reason why I can't swim. My reaction time to most things is extremely slow. It takes me multiple seconds to start walking at a normal pace after being seated. If I've been standing in position, it takes even longer. I also have a really poor sense of balance. I _WANT_ to learn how to swim... I just haven't been able to figure it out, and haven't had time to take 1:1 lessons yet.

 

[DirkGently1]

i can't swim. When i jump into a pool and try to float on my back, i sink like a rock.

witch!!

 

[moshquerade]

I find it surprising and sad that the intelligent people in this thread really have difficulty grasping how someone doesn't know how to swim. How hard is it to understand? Is it confusing when you meet someone who doesn't know how to high jump? Or cook? Or fly a plane?

It's one thing to say "everyone should know how to swim. It's an important skill." And another to act like people who can't swim are somehow physically or mentally retarded. And no, it's not common sense. There are people who can't ride a bike and I think it's an easy skill since I've been riding a long time, but I don't say "geez it's so easy. Why can't you just do it?"

swimming is a life skill. high jumping, flying a plane, cooking, and riding a bike are not skills that could save our lives one day. your comparisons fail there.

if someone has no physical limitations and hasn't learned to swim by the time they are an adult they aren't trying hard enough.

 

[slag]

well, someone from like kansas maybe, but anyone living on coastal states NEED to know how to swim.

I live in Kansas and can swim. We have these things called lakes and another cool thing called rivers, both of which have water in them. We also have a few boats here and there and once I saw a jetski (no wait, that was a magazine).

Anyway, swimming is so basic, I'm surprised some people can't do it.

 

[MotionMan]

I can't swim. When I jump into a pool and try to float on my back, I sink like a rock.

Missed this the first time around.

My brother-in-law is the same way.

He was on the swim team in high school.

floating != swimming.

MotionMan

 

[Blackjack200]

swimming is a life skill. high jumping, flying a plane, cooking, and riding a bike are not skills that could save our lives one day. your comparisons fail there.

if someone has no physical limitations and hasn't learned to swim by the time they are an adult they aren't trying hard enough.

Do you know CPR and how to use a defibulator? Do you know how to hunt and fish in the wild? Do you know how to treat a snake bite?

The best reason to learn to swim is because it's fun to be in the water. If you can't, just make sure you're wearing a pfd whenever you're on a boat and don't go in water over your head.

 

[moshquerade]

Do you know CPR and how to use a defibulator? Do you know how to hunt and fish in the wild? Do you know how to treat a snake bite?

The best reason to learn to swim is because it's fun to be in the water. If you can't, just make sure you're wearing a pfd whenever you're on a boat and don't go in water over your head.

Yes, yes, and yes.

your point again?

The best reason to learn to swim is for survival. Sure, swimming is fun, but that's that the main reason to learn.

 

[MotionMan]

Do you know CPR and how to use a defibulator? Do you know how to hunt and fish in the wild? Do you know how to treat a snake bite?

Yes, yes, yes and yes. All things that people should know before graduating high school (Thank you Boy Scouts).

I also know how to swim.

What's your point?

The best reason to learn to swim is because it's fun to be in the water. If you can't, just make sure you're wearing a pfd whenever you're on a boat and don't go in water over your head.

Also, don't go to houses with pools or be near any bodies of water?

Knowing how to swim is more than about having fun. Joe Delany died because he did not know how to swim in an emergency.

It is interesting that the things you listed above are mostly related to emergency, life-threatening, incidents.

The best reason to learn to swim is so you or someone else does not die.

MotionMan

 

[MotionMan]

Yes, yes, and yes.

your point again?

The best reason to learn to swim is for survival. Sure, swimming is fun, but that's that the main reason to learn.

Great minds...



MotionMan

 

[Blackjack200]

Yes, yes, and yes.

your point again?

The best reason to learn to swim is for survival. Sure, swimming is fun, but that's that the main reason to learn.

Yes, yes, yes and yes. All things that people should know before graduating high school (Thank you Boy Scouts).

I also know how to swim.

What's your point?

My point is that many people haven't learned every survival skill, nor do they need to. If someone had a bad experience at a young age, or for any other reason just does not want to learn to swim, there's no need to ridicule them.

Also, don't go to houses with pools or be near any bodies of water?

Why not? I've walked up to the edge of cliffs even though I can't fly.

Knowing how to swim is more than about having fun. Joe Delany died because he did not know how to swim in an emergency.

It is interesting that the things you listed above are mostly related to emergency, life-threatening, incidents.

The best reason to learn to swim is so you or someone else does not die.

MotionMan

You need to know how to deal with situations that are likely to arise. If you know you cannot swim, don't go in water over your head. That's all. And what about those kids that were drowning? First of all, knowing how to swim does not mean that you can save someone who is drowning. The first thing the red cross teaches lifeguards is not to allow the drowning person to grab you. A drowning person is desperate and flailing their arms etc. If they get a hold of you they will take you under. Instead, hand them a flotation device. There are techniques for rescuing without a flotation device, but they are unlikely to be performed by a novice swimmer.

A non-swimmer may still go into the water to try to save a drowning child, much like a person would risk their own lives to pull a child out of a roadway or something. But the situation is not the fault of the non-swimmer. It is the fault of whoever was responsible for the children. Children playing in water should always be supervised by a strong swimmer.

 

[moshquerade]

Great minds...



MotionMan

yes sir.

also, some people just won't get it. see post above mine.
you can't do anything to make some of them get it, which is their loss.

 

[MotionMan]

My point is that many people haven't learned every survival skill, nor do they need to. If someone had a bad experience at a young age, or for any other reason just does not want to learn to swim, there's no need to ridicule them.



Why not? I've walked up to the edge of cliffs even though I can't fly.

You cannot learn how to fly (without assistance), so that is not a proper comparison.

You need to know how to deal with situations that are likely to arise. If you know you cannot swim, don't go in water over your head. That's all. And what about those kids that were drowning? First of all, knowing how to swim does not mean that you can save someone who is drowning. The first thing the red cross teaches lifeguards is not to allow the drowning person to grab you. A drowning person is desperate and flailing their arms etc. If they get a hold of you they will take you under. Instead, hand them a flotation device. There are techniques for rescuing without a flotation device, but they are unlikely to be performed by a novice swimmer.

A non-swimmer may still go into the water to try to save a drowning child, much like a person would risk their own lives to pull a child out of a roadway or something. But the situation is not the fault of the non-swimmer. It is the fault of whoever was responsible for the children. Children playing in water should always be supervised by a strong swimmer.

First, people need to know how to swim so they they do not become the emergency.

Second, people need to know how to swim so that, if they are like Joe Delany, who tried to save people in a desperate situation, they at least have a fighting chance.

Third, though I agree that children should always be properly supervised, you and I know that does not always happen and, in any event, that is not an excuse for people to not learn how to swim. Should we be OK with children drowning because their parents are idiots?

I have not ridiculed anyone here with a true water phobia. However, I cannot understand how anyone else has not at least tried to learn how to swim.

MotionMan

 

[Blackjack200]

You cannot learn how to fly (without assistance), so that is not a proper comparison.

Whatever can be learned or not, a person that can't swim doesn't need to stay away from water any more than I need to stay away from cliffs.

First, people need to know how to swim so they they do not become the emergency.

Second, people need to know how to swim so that, if they are like Joe Delany, who tried to save people in a desperate situation, they at least have a fighting chance.

Third, though I agree that children should always be properly supervised, you and I know that does not always happen and, in any event, that is not an excuse for people to not learn how to swim. Should we be OK with children drowning because their parents are idiots?

Are you saying that everyone (with the obvious exceptions; people with disabilities, etc.) should be able to swim, or that everyone should be able save a person who's drowning? Those are two very different levels of ability.

I have not ridiculed anyone here with a true water phobia. However, I cannot understand how anyone else has not at least tried to learn how to swim.

But people can have all different reasons for not learning to swim, who's to say who has a good one and who doesn't?

 

[MotionMan]

Whatever can be learned or not, a person that can't swim doesn't need to stay away from water any more than I need to stay away from cliffs.

But they can learn to swim. You cannot learn to fly. And maybe you should stay away from cliffs.

Are you saying that everyone (with the obvious exceptions; people with disabilities, etc.) should be able to swim, or that everyone should be able save a person who's drowning? Those are two very different levels of ability.

Both. But, obviously, one must be able to swim first. Also, one who knows how to swim is better able to save themselves than one who does not.

But people can have all different reasons for not learning to swim, who's to say who has a good one and who doesn't?

If you are not phobic and/or physically unable, there are no good reasons to not learn how to swim.

There. That was actually pretty simple.

MotionMan

 

[Blackjack200]

But they can learn to swim. You cannot learn to fly. And maybe you should stay away from cliffs.

Fine. I cannot learn to fly.

Both. But, obviously, one must be able to swim first. Also, one who knows how to swim is better able to save themselves than one who does not.

Okay, but I would guess less than 25% of able bodied population meets your standard.

If you are not phobic and/or physically unable, there are no good reasons to not learn how to swim.

There. That was actually pretty simple.

Well, at least now I know who has all the answers.

 

[the DRIZZLE]

I agree with Motion Man on this. If one person can't swim that's fine and it's their choice, but when you look at the issue in aggregate it becomes a real public safety concern. We have people dying every year for absolutely no reason.

 

[MotionMan]

Fine. I cannot learn to fly.

Well, you could try, but it would be a short lesson.

Okay, but I would guess less than 25% of able bodied population meets your standard.

I would guess that there is an 87.6% chance you are wrong.

Well, at least now I know who has all the answers.

It is about time.

MotionMan

 

[jlee]

I can swim, but I suck at it and I'm not overly fond of water.

 

[her209]

I agree with Motion Man on this. If one person can't swim that's fine and it's their choice, but when you look at the issue in aggregate it becomes a real public safety concern. We have people dying every year for absolutely no reason.

I bet more people who know how to swim die more per year than people who don't know how to swim because they overestimate their ability.

 

[Gooberlx2]

I bet more people who know how to swim die more per year than people who don't know how to swim because they overestimate their ability.

I would bet that's true. People who don't know how to swim will usually avoid going in water above their heads. I know when I was on the coast, most stories were about people (often drunk) taken out by undertows or rip currents, that overmatched their swimming abilities.

 

[MotionMan]

I bet more people who know how to swim die more per year than people who don't know how to swim because they overestimate their ability.

"Don't learn how to swim, it saves lives"

MotionMan

 

[SlitheryDee]

"Don't learn how to swim, it saves lives"

MotionMan

More people who know how to drive die in car accidents than people who don't. More mountain goats die from falling off mountains than non-mountain goats. Etc...

 

[dabuddha]

The same reason that you can't play the piano?

 

[Blackjack200]

"Don't learn how to swim, it saves lives"

Sarcasm aside, it seems like using good sense near the water and not putting yourself in a dangerous position is more important than having the ability to swim; no?