Drownproofing

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Drownproofing is a method for surviving in water disaster scenarios without sinking or drowning. It is also infamous as a class once offered at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Contents 1 History 2 Technique 3 Current use 4 Criticism 5 References 6 External links

[edit] History

Drownproofing was developed by swimming coach Fred Lanoue, known to students as Crankshaft because of his limping gait. It was first taught in 1940.^[1] His method was so successful that it gained national recognition,^[2] and Georgia Tech soon made it a requirement for graduation, until 1988.^[3] The US Navy also took interest, and adopted it as part of their standard training.^{[citation needed]} It is claimed that during Lanoue's time teaching at Tech from 1936 to 1964, he taught drownproofing to some 20,000 students.^{[citation needed]}

Once they had mastered the Drownproofing technique, students learned how to stay afloat with their wrists and ankles bound, swim 50 yards (46 m) underwater, and retrieve diving rings from the bottom of the pool using their teeth. Lanoue published a book called Drownproofing, a New Technique for Water Safety in 1963.^{[citation needed]} Georgia Tech dropped the course from its curriculum in 1987, as part of a downsizing of its physical education and athletics department.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Technique

In Drownproofing terminology, the great majority of people are “floaters.” That is to say that, with the lungs fully inflated, they have slightly less specific gravity than water and will not start to sink until they exhale. An average floater has 3 – 4 lbs (1.5 kg) of positive buoyancy in fresh water. “Sinkers” can also benefit from a modified technique, but will find it more difficult to learn and will probably need specialised coaching. Buoyancy is significantly greater in salt water.

In the Drownproofing survival technique, the subject floats in a relaxed, near-vertical posture, with the top of the head just above the surface, Using the arms or legs to exert a downward pressure, the subject raises himself sufficiently so that the mouth is above the surface and a breath is taken, before dropping back into the relaxed float. This is done several times a minute (typically between 5 and 10), depending upon the needs of the individual. It is important to keep the lungs fully inflated for the maximum possible time and to exhale and inhale rapidly when a breath is taken. The technique is easy to learn and does not require arduous training or a high standard of physical fitness. With a little practise it is possible to remain afloat in this way for a long time with minimal effort. Lanoue taught his students to perform the technique with hands and feet tied, thus demonstrating that it is possible to survive even when injured or otherwise disabled.

[edit] Current use

Elementary schools in Anne Arundel County, Maryland run a drownproofing program at local swimming pools as a part of its Outdoor Education Program.^{[citation needed]} The program, taken by fifth-grade students, also consists of class discussions and written work.

In Mexico City, Eduardo Alcantara uses Drownproofing as a basis for swimming instruction with adult learners.^{[citation needed]} By learning to float first, his students have the confidence to make rapid progress and Eduardo claims a near 100% success rate.

In Brighton, England, Drownproofing is taught as part of lifesaving courses run by RLSS Sussex Branch (Lifesaving Club.)

[edit] Criticism

The main criticism of Drownproofing is that, with the body almost totally immersed, heat loss will be greater than with vigorous swimming or treading water, with the consequent earlier onset of hypothermia. But other sources suggest that heat loss is increased by vigorous action, because it displaces relatively warmer water that is trapped by the subject’s clothing. In any cold water situation, the main objective should be to get out of the water and find shelter and dry clothing. In any case, Drownproofing should never be regarded as a substitute for the normal safety precautions recommended for any water activity.

The name Fred Lanoue chose for his technique has also been criticised. No air-breathing animal can be entirely proof against drowning. But the difference between being able to perform the technique and swimming poorly, or not at all, is so great that anyone who has learned the technique is unlikely to object to “Drownproofing”.

[edit] References

LANOUE, FRED “Drownproofing, A New Technique for Water Safety” Prentice-Hall, 1963. Published in the UK by Herbert Jenkins in 1964 and as a paperback in 1966 by Pan Books. Note: The ISBN (International Standard Book Number) system was not adopted until 1969.

WETMORE, REAGH C. “Drownproofing Techniques for Floating, Swimming and Open–water Survival“ The Stephen Green Press, 1981 ISBN 0-8289-0410-3

[edit] External links

• drownproofing.com
• lifesavingclub.com
• Drownproofing - Article in Tech Topics by Dan Apostolu, summer 2000.