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Comment: I'm pretty certain that the reason UNC- Chapel Hill has had the swim test all these years (the 2008 class will be the first to not have to take the test) is because a benefactor had a relative who drowned. My understanding is that the benefactor just died, so the arrangement is null and void. If you have any information on this, I'd be glad to know... but I'm almost certain this is true!
Posts: 36029 | From: Admin | Registered: Feb 2000
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This page says that it was a requirement because the UNC was formerly a site for WWII Navy midshipmen, and then they eventually decided to make it a standard for all students (7th paragraph).
It took me a few minutes of reading Google provided articles to find that, and most of them seemed to have the same point to make; it gives the students who take it a valuable life skill.
Myself, I would never be able to pass it. Swim 50 yards? Maybe. Keep floating for 5 minutes? No way.
-------------------- Eppis: Do you know why being a revolutionary doesn't work in this country? Being a revolutionary in America is like being a spoil sport at an orgy. All these goodies being passed around and you feel like a shit when you say no. Posts: 294 | From: Brisbane, Australia | Registered: Nov 2004
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quote:Originally posted by Jack Dylan: Myself, I would never be able to pass it. Swim 50 yards? Maybe. Keep floating for 5 minutes? No way.
At my school we were allowed to use our hands to occaisionally give ourselves a little boost in exchange for receiving a B- vice an A on the floating test (although we did have to keep it up for half and hour). The real killer was treading water for 15 minutes, especially because 5 minutes had to be legs only and another 5 had to be arms only. I was about ready to drown by the time I finished.
-------------------- "Dear Lord, please protect this rockethouse and all who dwell within..." Posts: 1093 | From: Japan | Registered: Jul 2003
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Oh, I'm sure I could float for 5 minutes... but tread water for 5 minutes? No way!
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Oh, treading water for 5 minutes legs only isn't so bad if you've ever had to keep your chin above water for two minutes using legs only while holding a ten-pound brick over your head. (Mississippi lifeguard training is tough!) I used to sink straight down before I realized that if you keep your lungs filled and spread your body out it is easier.
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I've heard the exact same story about Princeton (i.e. that they had a swim test because of a student who drowned years and years ago), but I know people who went there and had never even heard the story, much less been subjected to a swim test. Isn't there a Snopes page about that story?
-------------------- Another lifetime I'd have fallen in love with you Swept away by my feelings, ashamed and confused But just now it's enough to be walking with you Let the mystery play as it will! -Lui Collins Posts: 2669 | From: Jouy en Josas, France | Registered: May 2005
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Treading water for long periods of time is not that hard, if you kick properly. The scissor-kick is the worst type of kick, as it uses too much energy. A modified frog kick is best for maintaining surface for a long period of time. Then there is the "dead-man's float", where you spread out face-down in the water, only moving enough to breath when necessary. You can stay on the surface for extended periods of time without using a lot of energy with that...
They taught us how to do that in the Navy.
-------------------- Where are we going, and why are we in this handbasket? Posts: 782 | From: Arlington, TX | Registered: Jul 2005
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I had to do 200 yards and 10 mintues treading water for a SCUBA class, it's not as hard as it seems.
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quote:Originally posted by Griffin in the wind: Then there is the "dead-man's float", where you spread out face-down in the water, only moving enough to breath when necessary. You can stay on the surface for extended periods of time without using a lot of energy with that...
They taught us how to do that in the Navy.
Oh, I did that as well, but I still couldn't stay afloat without some occaisional hand movements. Still, defintely better than floating on your back, trying to keep your head out of water the whole time, and all the while sinking like a stick.
-------------------- "Dear Lord, please protect this rockethouse and all who dwell within..." Posts: 1093 | From: Japan | Registered: Jul 2003
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Treading for that long isn't bad. After taking swimming classes last year, it's much easier than nautical yoga. If you tilt your head back, you get the maximum above water time, and usually your body follows, so you don't even need to expend too much energy. Of course, it's easier with hands and feet, because you can synchronize them so you're not expending as much energy. I always found treading with feet to be the easiest, but that's just me.
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