Name:	Old Diver -	Reply
Subject:	Dround Proofing
Date:	8/6/2019 4:38:34 PM

   Dround proofing is a simple technique that can be taught in minutes. Everyone should be taught this espically kids. It will work on someone who can't even swim! People have used this to stay survive for days. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drownproofing

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Drown Proofing
Date:	8/6/2019 5:10:03 PM

I learned that when I was young, I think from a lifesaving class I took.  If you stay relaxed and allow yourself to bob up and down and take breaths you can pretty much float for a long, long time.  Panic, mental fatigue and hypothermia in cold water are what will do you in.  Having said that, some people with very low BMI will still have trouble because the air in the lungs are not enough to compensate for their lack of bouyancy.  They have to work a little harder to make sure they don't sink too much.  But even then, it doesn't take a whole lot of effort.

Name:	Shortbus -	Reply
Subject:	50 50 50 50
Date:	8/6/2019 6:12:45 PM

I heard that 50% of 50 year olds will survive 50 minutes in 50 degree water.

Heck it might even be true.

Name:	Carlson -	Reply
Subject:	Dround Proofing
Date:	8/6/2019 9:54:05 PM

Did I miss something?  Warm water here.

Name:	Rooster -	Reply
Subject:	Dround Proofing
Date:	8/7/2019 2:28:20 PM

Yep.  Read all posts. LMAO!??????

Name:	dogleg -	Reply
Subject:	50 50 50 50
Date:	8/9/2019 6:25:39 PM

Well then I would last 64 64 64 beer and can’t wait till 80 (in late July)

Name:	John C -	Reply
Subject:	50 50 50 50
Date:	8/12/2019 6:31:32 PM

As a former lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor, the term "drown proofing" makes me cringe. No human can claim that and I think terms like that give a false sense of invincibility.

However, with good technique like what is linked you can exponentially help your chances. We used to call this "survival floating" which I think is a much more accurate term. Like any survival situation, the #1 thing is to not panic. Most people can't swim very far without fatiguging so consider going in to survival float pretty quickly. Even though Lake Martin's potential swim distances are really short compared to salt water, I would venture to say that most boaters I observe are not in any sort of shape at all. Recent studies estimate that 60% of americans are obese, so odds are that the average boater could not swim as far as they might think they can. Honestly, I can't remember the last time I had to swim any meaningful distance so I am sure I could not react as well as I would hope myself.

Another key that we stressed when I taught was transitioning from a high heart rate to the survival float. Last summer, for my children, as a practice run, I made them swim around and tread water for several minutes to get their heart rates up, then phase in to a survivial float. Practice helps.