Swimming and Lessons

by ST, about the 1970s or so

     We took swimming lessons as children--Mom thought it essential for everyone to know how to swim, no matter if they live near bodies of water or not.  We did the "jelly fish" so much I might have turned into one, but at last they moved me up to the next class.  This, I was not sure, was any better.  The teacher insisted we all be in the water waiting when she came.  There were some smart-alecks that would come and try to undo one's handhold upon the edge.  Our feet were nowhere near touching the bottom.  This was in the big pool, the "jelly-fish" were in the little pool.  After awhile we learned better than to do what the teacher said, or we were in trouble.  But then the teacher was mad.  We told her about our dilemma and she got after the boys, but that didn't solve the problem.  On the one hand a scolding, on the other, drowning.  We chose the scolding.
     As kids we always wanted to go swimming.  It was a little ridiculous, since we couldn't even let go of the edge of the pool, or we were in over our heads.  Just the same, we always wanted to go.
     Once as I was venturing out a little and coming back, I didn't make it to within reach of the edge.  I sank, but not deep enough to get a good thrust off the bottom.  Somehow I managed to get to the top, sorta, and tried to call for help.  I gurgled something out and went down again.  On my way slowly down I remembered that one was supposed to go down thrice, and that was "it".  I sincerely hoped someone would come to my rescue before "it".  I came up again, inhaled what seemed like more water than air, and went down again.
     Now perhaps the reader cannot appreciate the crisis, knowing I obviously survived, or you wouldn't be reading this.  However, I can assure you it was truly distressing at the time.  I know the feeling  of needing a breath so badly that you don't care what it is you inhale, just so you can fill your lungs with something.
     With my "last" chance, I strained to submerge myself far enough so as to get the best push off the bottom possible.  The push-off wasn't as good as I'd hoped for;  I did get up to the top and again gurgled for help, but couldn't get my sister's attention.  I did not want to go down again, but I had no choice.
     I don't remember how many times I went up and down, but I didn't know how long I could keep it up.  It took such an effort to get myself down enough to push off the bottom, then to get that push forceful enough to struggle back up to the air before I inhaled!
     At last a girl next to my sister saw me and pulled me back to the edge of the pool.  I was rather upset that no one noticed me sooner, especially my sister and the lifeguard.  I wondered what good that life guard was, when he didn't even notice someone in trouble.  That pool was really crowded.  Buses have capacities, elevators have capacities, bridges have capacities, even freezers have capacities.  All kinds of things have capacities, but not swimming pools or life guards.  It has really made me wonder how many kids could have drowned, and no one notice.

Note:  pools now have capacities posted, too.