Questions and Answers
What was the author's initial reaction when they landed at the bottom of the pool?
They were frightened but not yet panicked.
Why did the author's jump from the bottom of the pool not work as planned?
The water pressure was too great, making it difficult to move upwards.
What was the author's main concern when they were underwater?
Getting air and surviving the ordeal.
How did the author feel when they realized they were not making progress towards the surface?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the author's strategy for getting out of the pool?
Signup and view all the answers
What happened to the author's legs when they tried to kick upwards?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the author experience as they went back down to the bottom of the pool?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the author's state of mind when they were underwater for the second time?
Signup and view all the answers
Where did the narrator want to learn how to swim?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the narrator's initial fear at the Y.M.C.A. pool?
Signup and view all the answers
What event from the narrator's past triggered his aversion to water?
Signup and view all the answers
Why did the narrator sit on the side of the pool instead of getting in?
Signup and view all the answers
How old was the big boy who tossed the narrator into the deep end?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the condition of the pool when the narrator arrived?
Signup and view all the answers
Why did the narrator's mother warn him against the Yakima River?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the narrator use to help him learn how to swim?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Learning to Swim
- The narrator decided to learn to swim at the age of 10 or 11 at the Y.M.C.A. pool in Yakima, which was considered safe with a gradual depth increase from 2-9 feet.
- The narrator's mother had warned against swimming in the Yakima River due to its treacherous nature and frequent drownings.
Past Trauma
- The narrator had a traumatic experience with water at the age of 3 or 4 when their father took them to the beach in California and they were knocked down by waves, feeling buried and frightened.
The Incident
- The narrator went to the pool alone and was approached by an older boy who tossed them into the deep end, causing them to land in a sitting position and swallow water.
- The narrator panicked and tried to jump up from the bottom of the pool but came up slowly, feeling suffocated and unable to yell.
- The narrator flailed and struck at the water, trying to stay afloat, but eventually sank back down to the bottom of the pool.
- The narrator experienced sheer terror, feeling paralyzed and unable to control their fear.
Reflection
- The incident revived the narrator's childhood fears and unpleasant memories of their past traumatic experience with water.
- The narrator learned to gather confidence and overcome their fear through repeated attempts at swimming.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Recalling a childhood experience of learning to swim at the Y.M.C.A. pool and past trauma associated with water. The narrator's mother warned against swimming in the Yakima River due to its treacherous nature.
