Friday, July 29, 2011

HOW CAN A PLANE CRASH SURVIVOR CHEAT DEATH?

Imagine, Michael Trapp losing the engine power in his plane, survives the crash in the middle of Lake Huron – when what! Mr. Trapp survived hours in the water because he knew how to float on his back, paddle and treat water.
As the owner/instructor of a swimming company, swim swim swim I SAY, I ALWAYS explain that survival skills, such as floating on your back and treading water can save your life. Here is an example that no one can discount. So I ask all parents and swimmers to pay very close attention to what you/your child are learning when taking swimming lessons.
I will tell you from my experience, most adults and child don’t like at first the feeling of water in their ears when floating on their back. I talk to all my clients as we do a back float and explain, “You will get used to it and the way it feels. It will become like nothing.” I also get asked, “How can I get the water out?” Believe it or not, tilting your head to one side, lightly pulling on your ear and hopping up and down on one leg will do it. So you look silly for a moment but you will feel the water run right out. For more tips, please look at my blog on SWIMMER’S EAR found at, http://www.swimswimswimisay.com/ (bottom of the home page).
I prefer to teach treading water as my students begin to learn the freestyle stroke right after the back float. Treading water, at first, can be difficult; when you get the hang of it, you can make it a game for everyone. Seeing who can treat water the longest. If there are too many of your friends still hanging in, go for hands up in the air. That makes it very interesting.
For what happened to Mr. Trapp, both back floating and treading water saved his life besides his will to live. I ask all of you to please learn these survival skills Mr. Trapp did because we would not be writing a story such as this but a story on how he didn’t survive this accident. I want to wish Mr. Trapp a speeding recover. Also, thank him for his survival. You may say," that is strange."  Mr. Trapp has no idea what an impact he has make on the lives of so many people. He will help many learn how to swim and learn the survival skills that saved his life. Mr. Trapp, you have just help decrease the second leading cause of accidental death among children and the number of minorities that LOSE THEIR LIVES TO DROWNING EVERY SINGLE DAY! I thank you.
“your life in the water matters”
Agnes Davis
President/CEO

Saturday, July 2, 2011

SWIMMER’S EAR- WHY DOES IT HAPPEN TO SOME AND NOT OTHERS!

With the hot weather here, the outdoor pools opened in NYC, swimmer’s ear unfortunately will be a factor for some kids and adults.
What is swimmer’s ear? Plain and simple- It is an infection of the outer ear canal caused by water or moister remaining after swimming, showers, hairsprays etc. The natural wax in your ear protects you but if you aggressively clean out to much of the wax, the water soften up the remaining wax. Now you have created the perfect moist environment for the bacteria to grow. You will have some discomfort to very bad pain. In addition, a fever, fluid drainage and a decrease in hearing due to the swollen canal as an extreme case may occur.
The best way to combat this problem is to take some preventive measures after swimming and showering.
·         Tilt your head to one side, GENTLY tug on your ear or hop up and down on one leg. You will feel the water move out of the ear. Yes, you may look funny and silly but it works!
·         Towel dry your ears
·         Keep your natural ear wax
·         If you do get the start of an infection, seek out medical advice. An old remedy is a drop of vinegar drops or half vinegar – half rubbing alcohol drops on a cotton Q-Tip into your ear. Please make sure you are lying down so the DROP can enter the ear.

Enjoy the summer and don’t forget the keep those ears dry. See you in the water!