https://www.businessinsider.com/royal-navy-candidates-can-apply-without-know-how-swim-2024

  • tocopherol@lemmy.dbzer0.com
    ·
    3 months ago

    I was going to say wasn't this common in the age of sail? I remember reading something about sailors drowning often because they couldn't swim, and that was just expected

    • FlakesBongler [they/them]
      ·
      3 months ago

      It was considered bad luck to know how to swim because the water already had a taste of you and wouldn't give you up

      Which to me just sounds like they didn't care if you lived or died

      • FALGSConaut [comrade/them]
        ·
        3 months ago

        That sounds like something an officer makes up to convince dudes that can't swim not to worry about it

        • FlakesBongler [they/them]
          ·
          3 months ago

          "Fire isn't hot, it only burns you if you stand still in it"

          "Electricity is just air moving really fast, as long you cover yourself with something you'll be fine"

          "Bee's can't sting you if you wear red"

        • BakerBagel@midwest.social
          ·
          3 months ago

          I mean, if you're a sailor and you end up overboard, you're probably gonna die. Idk if you have ever been in the North Sea, but it is cold and choppy and even a modern life vest wont keep you alive for long. Even a strong swimmer stands little chamce of survival if they go overboard on a ship.

          • FALGSConaut [comrade/them]
            ·
            3 months ago

            oh yea I'm aware of how deadly cold water can be. I agree all those dudes were probably going to die anyway if their ship sunk, it just sounded like something you'd say if you just don't want someone dwelling on that fact

      • Dolores [love/loves]
        ·
        3 months ago

        i've never gone into the sea for precisely this reason, i am delicious and will only trust waters that cannot eat me

    • jack [he/him, comrade/them]
      ·
      edit-2
      3 months ago

      It was really because it didn't make a difference - if you went overboard, you died, no matter how good at swimming you were.

    • D61 [any]
      ·
      3 months ago

      If they can't swim away... they can't get away. owl-wink