Conquering Your Cramps Under Water 



Breaking the arm cramp by sheer strength. 

 The lungs are first filled with air to prevent 

 panic; then the arm is forced out straight 



THE "Old Man of the Sea," who 

 figures in fiction so mysteriously 

 and with such dire consequences, 

 might well be named "Cramps" for 

 everyday application, as far as swim- 

 mers are concerned. To many swim- 

 mers, otherwise absolutely fearless 

 in the water, the suspicion of a cramp 

 is a nerve-wrecker. But, according to 

 Henry Elionsky, holder of the world's 

 long distance swimming champion- 

 ship, that is because they do not em- 

 ploy the scientific method of breathing 

 when in the water. 



The rule which Elionsky gives to 

 his pupils at the Brighton Beach 

 Baths near New York is: "When in 

 the water breathe through the mouth 

 only and gulp the air, as you would 

 if you were frightened or very, much 

 amazed on land." The air thus in- 

 haled is driven into the lungs in about 

 five times the quantity rate breathed 

 through the nose. 



A cramp is merely a contraction of 

 the muscles caused by the penetration 

 of the cold. Obviously, it could not 

 of itself cause drowning. Its worst 

 effect is to cause a panic which throws 

 the swimmer off his guard, causing 

 him to let the air out of his lungs and 

 thus allow the air passages to become 

 filled with water. The safeguard 

 against such a panic is absolute confi- 

 dence in the floating power of the 

 body and a demonstrable knowledge 

 of the proper way to quickly fill 



Some valuable first-aid advice 

 from the champion long 

 distance swimmer of the world 



Below: Henry Elionsky swam 

 from Battery Park, New York, 

 to Coney Island, with hands, 

 feet and legs shackled. Time 5 

 hours, 20 minutes. His sister, 

 with hands and legs free, ac- 

 companied him. Here they are 

 diving from the Battery pier 



(Pi To 



Forcing a cramped leg straight. The body will 

 float as long as the lungs are kept filled with air 



250 



