(Physical Training Bulletin No. 6, 8-25-42 Cont'd.)

Here, too, there is strength in numbers. A group of swimmers following
one another in single file are less ant to be burned and’ it is much better for
two men to swim in front side by side, in order to beat back the flames. Also,
in any case, it is easier for rescue boats to spot six or oight swimmers in the
water than one alone.

Swimming tn oil that is not afire is comparatively simple. O11, like its
refined products (gasoline, kerosene, etc.) spreads out to a thin layer of only
one molecule thickness. Because oil has a specific gravity of less than one,
it floats on the surface. . Consequently, the story of a victim being weizhed
down and ‘ar- wned by ofl is false. The spread of the oil is slow in the case of
thick crude oil, and faster for the thinner oil products. The difficulty a
swimmer encounters in oil is choking. Often the oil can get into the mouth and
nose and constrict the bronchials. And, too, oil is tiring to swim in because
of its lack of weight and resistance. Wates (which is fairly heavy) resists
enough to allow propulsion throush | it by strokes used in swimming, but oil tends
to merely sliie and leave the ‘swimmer in the same spot. Since the wind spreads
sut the oil rapidly WM is most important to swim into the wind - against it.
Here again, group action, will help prevent panic, make sure that those who need
help get it, and keep up courage. Ani azain, the breast stroke is the best be-
cause the swimmer can keep his head, mouth, nose and eyes up out of the oil and
keap track of kis shipmates, and is in a position to save hinself.

Oil that has been set afire pninee amore difficult problem because of the
fact that swimming in it and splashing and pushing the fire away, while not im-
possible,’ is much harder than in the case of the light, vanorous liquids, but
the stroke to be used is the same. This problem of burning oil does not occur
often, but is possible when a ship is shelled with incentliary shells, or when
the oil is set afire by high tempatures, However, it does not ignite as rogdily
as the refined products.

In conclusion, the eee important instructions bearing repeating for swim-
ming in water covered with burning oil, gasoline, henzene, or other liquid are?

l.° Keep on all Light othe.

2, Dive into the water from the windward. side of the ship.

3, Use breast stroke with short arm pull.

4, Swin as far under water as possible before coming to the surface

5, Before conins to the surface, start thrashing arms in-a an MOm
tion, to break the surface and clear space for frash air free of vapor.

6. After zaining breath, start a second lap under water or start swine
ming with head un, using breast stroke, on. the surface.

7, Look around for shipmates to stay with and find wreckaze to use AS a.
support or float; any piece of lumber or. erating will buoy a person
and conserve strencth that may meen the difference between being saved
and lost.

Keep cool and stick together
Sim Bae ily with the Lica in min uo swim six or eight hours without
tiring, ,

_ DISTRIBUTION: é i. 2 Ys

| Sbcys vo &.7.0,, Sack E. B. DeGROOT, ce Ale
AAB, ag 7 Captain, Air Corps
10: eys to. FP. 7.0,, Bach Director ef Physical Training
Obsn, Airdrome & Gun- ~- 46 *
nery & Bombing “ange.