How to Swim Wearing Clothes
Do you remember the scene where James Bond cracks security at a fabulous party by arriving underwater wearing SCUBA gear and a dry suit? Once there, he peels it off to reveal a tuxedo. Unlike 007, most of us never intentionally swim in our clothes. Here's how to survive a body of water, despite having fallen in while dressed.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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First, don't panic. If you've fallen into very cold water, you'll have trouble breathing. This is normal. Tread water until your lungs work again and then try to yell to the boat you just left as soon as you can.
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Lose the boots. Nobody should ever wear cowboy boots on a boat, although I have seen it done. If an sensible boater wears boots, they'll be for foul weather. Unfortunately, even though they are designed for use above the water's surface, they can be deadly below. They should have a draw string around the top, but if you feel any water getting past, immediately untie them, kick them off, and let them drop. Boots can fill with water and pull you under. A few years ago, a very experienced sailboat racer in San Francisco Bay was hanging over the leeward side as rail meat with three others, to counteract the boat's heel, when their support snapped and the three of them plunged into the frigid bay. The one who kept his boots, sank to the bottom and died.
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3
Windbreakers are designed to stop air flow. Even cotton can hold air once it is wet. A simple way to add buoyancy to what you are wearing is to tug the neck away from your shirt or jacket in front and blow into it. Often, air will move to the back between your shoulder blades and help support you. If you are wearing a shirt of jacket that buttons or seals with Velcro make it is as snug as you can before blowing into it.
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While waiting to be rescued, you can save energy by going into drown proofing mode. Relax into the water, face down. The bubble at the back of your shirt will help keep you on the surface. When it is time for a breath, push your arms down to your side. This will put your face above water where you can breathe.
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If you were fortunate enough to be wearing long pants when you fell in, you can literally turn them into a personal flotation device. Take your pants off in the water. Tie a knot in each leg. Zip up the fly. While treading water, grab onto the waist band with each hand. Throw the pants back over your head. Quickly swing the waist band forward into the water, trapping a large air bubble inside. Firmly close the waist band with your hands. Slip a pant leg on either side of your face. The trapped air won't escape and the pants will hold your face above water so you can breathe.
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Tips & Warnings
It's best to practice these procedures on a warm day on a calm lake so that you know exactly what to do.
When your boat does come back to rescue you, be sure to keep away from the propeller.
Despite the fact that I am an excellent swimmer, I always learn where the PFD's are on a boat. If I have to go forward to fix something in rough weather I make sure that I'm wearing one along with a harness. I prefer swimming when I choose to do so.
