Survival in Unexpected Situations: An Introduction to the "Clothes Swimming Approach"
The "clothes swimming approach" refers to the practice of swimming while wearing clothes. Most water-related accidents occur when people are fully dressed, making this survival technique essential for protecting oneself in water emergencies.
Unlike traditional swimming, the clothes swimming approach requires a different set of skills and knowledge. Instead of removing clothes and shoes to move more freely, one uses the buoyancy of the clothing and footwear to float. The key technique is called "back floating," where one floats on their back, utilizing the buoyancy of their clothes to keep their face and feet above water. Items like plastic bottles or backpacks can also provide additional buoyancy.
This book covers everything from precautions to take before playing near water—be it the ocean, rivers, or pools—to practicing the clothes swimming approach, identifying items that can be used as flotation devices, and knowing how to assist someone who has fallen into the water.
In Japan, water-related accidents claim around 700 lives each year. By learning the techniques and knowledge of the clothes swimming approach from this book, you can protect yourself, your family, and those around you from water accidents.
"The devastating impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake, accidents due to floods, and water-related incidents during leisure activities have resulted in the loss of many precious lives. From my childhood experience in competitive swimming, I've learned the importance of fostering a good relationship with water through proper knowledge. I aim to spread the method of the clothes swimming approach to help people protect themselves." — Kyoko Iwasaki
Contributors: Professor Mitsuru Fukuda (Nihon University, Faculty of Crisis Management) and Professor Yuji Tamura (Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Board Member of the Water Disaster Research Association)
Author: Kyoko Iwasaki