GV t ^^^^____ w- J] f DOYLE'S NEW Instruction Book ON OCEAN BATHING SWIMMING AND- BOATING Price 25 Centi WILLIAM S. DOYLE Author and Publisher ASBURY PARK J* NEW JERSEY DOYLE'S NEW Instruction Book ON OCEAN BATHING SWIMMING •AND. BOATING Price 25 Cents WILLIAM S. DOYLE Author and Publisher ASBURY PARK # NEW JERSEY ^ V -> % Copyright, 1910 By W. S. DOYLE Asbury Park, N.J. ©GI.A265986 CONTENTS. Doyle's Record in Rhyme 5 Preface 7 General Remarks 9 Remarks 11 To Learn to Bathe 12 To Learn to Float 16 Remarks on Swimming 18 How to Tread Water 19 To Learn to Swim 21 Dont's for Swimmers 24 Life Saving 30 How to Make a Rescue 31 Boating 33 Dont's for Boating 36 The Rescue 37 Ocean Waves 45 Summer Time 45 APIain Book 47 Doyle's Record in Rhyme «£ Twenty-four years at the shore is a pretty good score, And there on the beach the swimming art to teach. When the people were in great danger and fear, Doyle was always found near to give them good cheer. When Doyle was around there was none ever drowned, And when Doyle was near there was no need of fear. It made no difference if the water were rough, cold or hot, Doyle always managed to be Johnny on the spot. When a person was carried out by a wave, Doyle was always ready for a life to save, And when he landed his man on the shore The people they cheered him by the score. 5 And Doyle always managed a rescue so fine, He was never known to have a life line. This may have a strange sound, yet where Doyle was around There never were found to be any one drowned. This statement of facts may not seem so fine, But there is proof that they are all genuine. To be honored with a hero medal by Uncle Sam, It must be proved that you are a brave man. And these few rhymes may sound like fun, But Doyle's life-saving record is second to none. To learn to bathe or swim and be right in it, Buy Doyle's' new book, it's right up to the minute. PREFACE. Through the numerous accidents and deaths by drowning from fear and lack of knowledge in swimming reported by the press throughout the country, the author has been induced to write this book from his past experience in ocean bathing. Its aim and object is to enable every person to teach themselves the art of swimming correctly and with most ease. Any person wishing to learn the art will find this book invaluable as a teacher, also to those who know how. The contents are in a condensed form and to the point. In these days of water sports and travels by water, it should not be neces- sary to state that every person should be taught how to swim as an accomplishment 7 of prime necessity. By this simple precau- tion, hundreds of lives could be saved every year. They should also be taught the danger of recklessness. There are many persons, even good swimmers, who meet death as a result of sheer fool-hardiness. Never within the scope of any book has this subject been more carefully compounded and described by any skilled swimmer. The book affords pleasure, valuable information and full instructions as to ocean bathing, swimming and boating. GENERAL REMARKS. It is through my many years of experience and successful dealing with the ocean that gave me the foundation and authority to write this book. I might not have been living today to tell the story if I did not know how to use the ocean. It was through a frightful and timely lesson I learned in August, 1887, and I will never forget it if I live ninety-nine years. It was only a few weeks after I had performed one of the greatest rescues on the Atlantic coast. On a Sunday afternoon, about two o'clock, the beach was deserted, it being dinner time. The ocean was calm and I felt like taking a swim, so I started and swam out about a quarter of a mile, when all of a sudden two monstrous high and heavy waves came and broke on me, one 9 10 right after the other drawing me down under and I was nearly smoothered as the second broke on me before I was free from the first. It was only through being a power- ful swimmer or I would never have reached the surface and when I did and saw the distance I was out from land, it gave me the fright of my life. I might have drowned and no one would have ever known what had become of me. Ever since that time, when I felt like it, I always swam up and down the beach within the bounds of safety. I never was a "show off" or "stunt" swim- mer and very few people ever knew my ability as a swimmer until they read about my acts, but I was always a star bather. It was a profitable lesson and strange to say in my twenty-four seasons of ocean bath- ing and swimming, I have never met with the slightest accident, due only to my good judgment and careful actions while in the water. I am always at home in the ocean; it is one of my best freinds and I never abuse it, I just simply use it. REMARKS. There are no out-of-door games or exer- cise that can compare with ocean bathing and swimming for health and pleasure. It builds up the body uniformly by bringing every muscle into action. Daily baths keep the body supple. The salt water is a tonic and keeps the body in a healthy and vigor- ous condition. It also aids digestion and creates a good appetite. You can always eat and sleep well after an ocean bath or swim. It is good for the old and young alike. I can't describe in words the grand feel- ing and pleasure there is in ocean bathing and swimming, and for any person who can afford the time to bathe and swim and don't take it, lose the best and healthiest sport in the world. 11 To Learn to Bathe First secure a bathing time table. When convenient always bathe at low tide or an hour or so before or after and when the ocean is in a normal condition. Then there will be no need of holding the ropes or any other assistance. You can go any depth you like without fear as there is no danger. There is always somebody near by to help you out if in need. Throw away all fear and be as bold as you can. Watch and try to do all you see the other bathers do and if you have some friends who are good bathers take every chance you can to be with them. When the ocean is calm and the waves are unbroken and there is no strong current, 12 13 spread out your arms like wings, wade out in the water until it reaches up under the arms; always keep them out resting on the water so as to help balance and guide the body. When a wave reaches you at the same time give yourself a little spring, and if necessary work your feet up and down with a high stepping motion to keep the body up while the wave passes. If a high wave comes and you can't get over it, duck or dive through it. When a running broken wave comes no higher than your shoulders, stand firm and cut it side- ways; have your feet spread and braced. Keep this up for a number of times until you learn the action of the water and waves. Then you can bathe at any time or condi- tion of tide. Always take the wave side- ways. Never let them strike you on the back or breast. 14 This is the surest, safest and quickest way to learn and finally become a good bather. This is the only rule that will give you any pleasure; any other will cause you pain. When you bathe at low tide the waves are not strong and you don't have to hold the ropes or stand in the breakers near the edge ; to be thrown down with the force of the waves; to have sore arms and be all broke up; stiff and tired out the next day; caus- ing it a dread to bathe instead of a pleasure. When you learn the knack of letting the waves lift you up and carry you along, it is a delightful sensation, of which you never tire or get enough. There are lots of grace- ful bathers and floaters that can't swim a stroke and there is no reason why all per- manent people cannot become good bathers or swimmers in a season if they go in the water at the right time. 15 Don't expect to have any pleasure or ever learn to bathe or swim by holding the ropes or standing near the edge letting the waves break on you. If there are other bathers in water and it is not over your head, go out to where they are. There is no danger. You could not drown if you tried as there are too many eyes watching and ready to give you help if in need. A timid person will never become a good bather or swimmer. Don't trust yourself to go with anyone in the water when it is dangerous, until you know they can swim and take good care of you. To Learn to Float First start by lying on the back with the arms straight out beyond the head with the hands turned up and hollow and the legs partly spread, hanging down at the knee, with head in water up to the eyes, mouth and nose, with the chest well expanded and holding the breath. Try this until you see you can stay afloat. Second, stretch out your legs straight with the body and the arms straight out beyond the head with the palms of hands turned up. Inflate the lungs with all the air you can possibly keep in by taking quick deep breaths. This keeps the body bouyant. 16 17 Practice this in as still and deep water as you can. Don't mind if you take in a mouthful of water now and then. Keep this practice up when the water is calm until you have accomplished the art. Then you will have learned the most im- portant and graceful part of swimming, and one who can float may easily save himself, even if he cannot swim. In the second practice if you can get someone to hold one hand under your back to help balance and support your body it will advance you greatly and give you more courage in learning. Salt water is the best place to learn. Women learn more easily than men. Stout people and those with a uniform build of body learn very easily; also people with a good lung capacity. REMARKS ON SWIMMING. There is no set form or rule in learning to swim as it is an art unlike any other and as there are so many different forms of learn- ing; and if there was any rule the people in general would not or could not comply with it, as different people have different disposi- tions and do not correspond in courage, so particular and necessary in learning to swim ; as it is attended with more or less dread ; and a person might not learn in a lifetime de- pendingly solely on pictures and information they see in books. It can only be accom- plished by personal practice. It is also more or less dangerous under certain conditions to try and learn to swim by yourself without first having some per- sonal lessons from an experienced swimmer or instructor. 18 How to Tread Water Wade out in still water until you reach up to your neck. Have the arms and hands straight out from the sides on top of the water to guide the body. Then work the feet up and down quickly in a high stepping motion to keep the body from sinking. Keep this practice up for a few times and you will soon get the knack down so fine that you can almost stand still in deep water. This comes next to floating in importance as you can use your hands and give assis- tance and help people in case of drowning. Through being a good water treadder I saved a girl and myself from drowning in 19 30 the ocean. The girl was heavier than I and she could not swim. We were carried by a strong current into a big, deep hole, and only a few yards from shore. The suction was terribly strong, holding us in the same place for the longest while. She had my both wrists in an iron grip, and we were at the mercy of the waves. There was no help within a few hundred yards except a nurse and child. At last the right wave came and we managed to get in. That was the narrowest escape I ever experienced. To Learn to Swim The ocean is the safest and quickest place to learn to swim. At the bathing ground there is always someone to watch and care for you. You can find any depth of water and someone to assist and give you advice. The salt water is more bouyant than fresh water and the waves help you along. To learn to swim, first learn to bathe well, or bathe a few times until you learn the action of the water. Then the quickest and safest way is to get a good rubber life preserver that fits well around your body under the arms. Then at low tide wade out in the water up to your waist. 21 22 Before you try to swim first practice and learn to balance your body. Take a deep breath, lay down flat on the water upon your breast, with arms and legs stretched out. Make slow even motions with hands and feet and see how long you can stay up and keep from sinking. Keep the mouth and nose clear of the water. Hold all the air you can. Make yourself as light as you can, like as if you were lying on thin glass or ice and not to break it. You can practice this without the life preserver but it is best to have the preserver in helping you to swim. The simple knack in learning to swim is to balance and keep the body from sinking. Then after you have learned to balance the body next try and swim by drawing the arms and legs under the body. Strike out in front and draw around to side with hands and 27 currents, whirlpools and suctions, which may cause you lots of trouble to swim clear of. Don't fail to learn to float as soon as you learn to swim as there are times when you can't swim through being disabled by cramps, accident or exhaustion, and the ability to float may enable you to save your life. Throw an empty bottle in the still water and it will never sink while the mouth keeps above water. The same with our bodies but more bouyant and by keeping still and all under the water but the mouth and nose and by holding in all the air you can, the body will not sink. Try and practice this in still water and in as deep water as you can wade and still be safe. If you can't swim it may help to save your life in case you fall in deep water or be carried out by a current. Don't take any person out in the water when it is deep or dangerous, unless you fully understand the water and sure you can take 28 care of them. This is a common and foolish practice and causes no end of trouble and it makes a bad showing for those that do it. Don't swim seaward with the tide ; it is dangerous, and you may find it a hard struggle to return. Don't swim out to sea unless you know the condition of the tide. Always look at a tide table before entering the water ; by doing so it may save you trouble. You would never think of going to a depot to get a train without looking at a time table. Don't practice fast or long distance swim- ming in tide water. It's dangerous and foolish. It causes lots of trouble and often loss of life. Don't practice how far and fast you can swim; but practice saving your strength and how long you can swim and stay afloat. Don't take any unnecessary chances in the ocean or any tide water. It is extremely dangerous and full of traps. 29 Don't give way to fright or lose your nerve while out in the ocean. If you should happen to be caught in a strong current re- member your nerve is your main strength in the water and when that's gone you are all gone and there is no use to waste up all your bodily strength in trying to swim against the tide or current. Swim up or down or around it or stop swimming and rest up for awhile and float on your back; the cur- rent may change or let up, and finally if you can't make any headway toward shore call or motion for help. Don't do this unless you are surely in need as this is a very serious matter and by doing so you may draw others into danger. Don't grasp any person who approaches you ; do what he tells you. Don't attempt to get into a boat com- ing to your rescue ; catch hold of the stearn. Life Saving When a person is in distress far out in the ocean and you have no boat and there is a strong current running up or down on line of the beach, don't start out on a direct line with the person but before going out run up or down the beach a certain distance in opposite direction of the current, making al- lowance for it to carry you up or down while going out and to save your strength and not have to swim against the current. To know the condition of the tide or cur- rent before starting out is of great importance in life saving. The ocean is like a machine and you must study its ever changing move- ments carefully and well. Always keep posted on its present condition so in case of need you can act wisely and well. 30 How to Make a Rescue When a person is in distress, lose no time in reaching him. Keep cool and assure them that they are safe and to have no fear. Don't get in front if they are struggling. Don't let them take hold of you. Get behind and take hold of them by the arm above the elbow or the collar back of the neck; last and best, take a good hold of the hair and give them a strong quick pull on their back, which will cause them to float. Then turn on your back and draw the person's head upon your chest close to your chin. Then you have the person secure. Holding the person with one hand you have the other 31 32 and both feet to swim with. Then you can easily and safely reach shore; and in this manner you can float as long as you please. Don't hurry. Take slow long strokes. When you feel you are in the big waves, ride each one as far as you can, resting between. While coming in if you get into a strong current don't swim ; float and wait until help reaches you. Boating In learning to row it is best to have some- one go out with you a few times and learn you how to hold the oars and make the plain forward stroke. Start in by holding the oars even and take slow strokes. Sit on the center of the seat always, having the boat as evenly balanced as you can. It makes it more safe and easy to row. In rowing across a stream keep headed towards the current or wind. In turning or landing a boat, head it against the wind or tide. To make a long round turn pull one oar and rest on the other. To make a short 33 34 turn hold one oar hard in the water and pull hard on the other. To make a pivot stand- ing turn, pull on one oar and back stroke with the other with even strokes. When you want to stop quick hold the two oars in the water and press back on them as hard as you can. When you want to go to the right pull more on the left oar and when you want to go to the left pull more on the right oar. If you run aground at the bow all hands go to the stern with the oars and push off or twist the boat around and work it off. Never stand at the bow and try to get the boat clear. Work only from the stern. If hard aground some may have to get out before you can get the boat off. In rough water, swells or waves, cross the bow first. Never let the waves catch the boat sideways. 35 If the water becomes rough through a storm or the passing of a power boat, keep cool and lie down on the bottom of the boat and wait until the danger is past. If you find yourself upset in the water do not at- tempt to climb up on the overturned boat. Just simply catch hold of it, your hand rest- ing on an oar or almost any floating article will hold a body up in calm water, and whether a boat is upset or not it will sup- port as many people as can take hold of it if they will only keep still. Keep your head above the water and your lungs full of air and your presence of mind until help reaches you. Dont's For Boating Don't go out in deep or tide-water or take any person with you unless you know how to swim and manage a boat. Don't fool while in a boat or rock it un- less all hands are able to swim. Don't go out in a boat without having some lines, an anchor, a life preserver and a bailer. Don't attempt to change positions while in dangerous water. See that you are all right before leaving the shore. If you must change do it in a crawling form down in the boat. Avoid standing ; it may upset the boat. Don't ever jump in or out of a boat until it is securely held at the dock. This is a very dangerous and foolish practice. Don't step on the side or edge of a boat in getting in or out but always step on the bottom near the center. This will avoid tipping. As tipping is a thing most people dislike. 36 THE RESCUE. It was on August the eighth, 1887, I was at the North Spring Lake Bathing Pavilion, when I saw Mr. James Wells on a run down the boardwalk, and he shouted to me that there was some one drowning at the Wil- burton Hotel Bathing Beach, about a quar- ter of a mile distant, and after looking down the beach and seeing a large number of peo- ple, I started on a run down the boardwalk as fast as I could go and went past Mr. Wells less than half way to the Wilburton. As I was a good runner in those days, taking part in foot races, on my arrival at the beach» the beach was thick with people who eel lected from the hotel and cottages, and after 37 38 getting through the crowd to the edge of the water, I saw a man named Captain H. in the broken surf about up to his waist in depth, and I asked what was the matter. Some one said there was a man out in the ocean drowning, and looking out it took me a few seconds to locate Mr. Truesdale as he was so far out that I could only see his head, and when a high wave came I could not see him at all and after I found his right posi- tion, I saw I was on a direct line with him, with Captain H. not half way out in the breakers with a board about four or five feet long. When a wave would come he would hold the board so that the wave would knock him back so as I saw he was making no head- way I made up my mind to go out and save Truesdale, and as there was a strong current running south, I ran north up the beach 39 about forty or fifty yards, before going out giving the current allowance to carry me down before I reached Trusedale. I could never have reached him to have started off where I was at as I would have to swim against the current. There was a number of young men standing on the beach looking at Truesdale drowning but none dared to go out, and when they saw that I was going out called to me and told me not to go, and said that I was a fool to risk my life, but I said there was a chance to save a man's life and in I went in the strong running and broken waves and when I reached the deep water I almost sank, and I thought I was done for as my strength had given out after my long hard run and plowing through the broken surf. 40 But I kept on, and after long and hard swim- ming around sea pusses, I reached Trues- dale, whose strength was nearly gone and he was merely paddling with his hands to keep up, and it was only his good sense that kept him afloat until I reached him as the strong current was fast taking him out to sea. When I first got near him he said, "For God's sake, help me, have you got a line?*' I said, "No, take it easy and we will get out all right," and he grabbed hold of me, and I tried hard to swim. Seeing I was making no headway I broke his hold and turned over on my back and got his head and shoulders resting on my chest. I held him with one hand and had the other and both feet to swim with. I was a good swimmer on my back and I soon had him under way, and after a long hard struggle, and just as 41 my last strength was giving out, and think- ing I would soon sink, I felt I was in the big rolling waves, and I rode each one as far as it would take us, resting between. At last a big roller carried us in and when it broke, landed us on our feet side by side safely on bottom. And after reaching the edge of the water we both sank down. After I had a drink or two of whiskey or brandy I was able to be up and around, but the Doctor's and Truesdale's friends carried him up to the hotel, and with a few days' nursing he was up and out, and the deed done and the victory won. It was only through my great strength, cool nerve and rare good judgment. The distance I ran was over eleven hundred feet actual measurement by tape measure, along the boardwalk, not counting the dis- tance between the boardwalk and the ocean. 42 While we were out in the ocean and we could feel nothing only a bed of water and <:ould see nothing but the sky, when a min- ute seemed like an hour and a yard like a mile, Truesdale said, "If you get me in out of here safe, you will never want for any- thing as long as you live/' And I have never heard from him personally, nor seen him since a few days after the occurrence when he gave me $100 in gold. Frank Williams lost his life in trying to save Truesdale; he had a life-line fastened to his body and it was too short to reach Truesdale from the beach, the usual form of saving life, and they say that Captain H. held the beach end of the line, and that when he saw that Truesdale was so far out in the ocean, and that he, H., would have to go out in deep water to make the line reach, he let go and poor Williams was drowned. All this happened before I ar- 43 rived at the scene. The fact was soon estab- lished after the excitement was all over, by finding Williams clothing in the bath-house. About six P. M. 4 a girl rode up from the hotel on horseback and said they thought they saw Williams' body in the surf and I rode down in a wagon with Mr. Wakeley, and after a good search we could find no trace of his body. So I instructed a few peo- ple at the time if any one would go up to the life-saving station and get a boat and a few hook-poles I would help find Williams' body. I said it would be any easy matter to hook the line up that was fastened to his body and it would be their only chance, as the tide was coming in, and after the tide came in and went out during the night, that the line would likely sand up and anchor the body, which it did. As he was a poor man no one seemed interested and his body was never found. 45 The ocean waves are so wild they run in with a roar. Full of fury and froth, where they land on the shore, To swim out in the ocean when the tide is on the ebb, Is like a fly's simple notion, flying around a spider's web. In the good summer time, When the water is fine, You can bask on the shore And watch the waves rolling o'er. It's great sport and fine To swim in the brine. You can have fun galore When you're down at the shore. W. S. Doyle. A Plain Book in Plain and Pleasing Words to the Point. In Plain Print for Particular People at a Popular Price. : : : JIJH 38 1910 l ''i. #*- One copy del. to Oat. Div. m 28 tm DOYLI LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 1 029 726 897 1 BOOK