How to avoid cramps while swimming

People who do not know how to swim properly may easily drown while swimming,
but even a strong swimmer may be killed by a muscle cramp. Swimming cramps,
especially when severe and encountered in deep water, have an uncanny
ability to induce panic, which may lead to futile thrashing and drowning
even if the swimmer knows how to deal with the cramp. Swimming cramps
usually occur in the upper calf, just below the knee.

The best way to remove a cramp is to turn over face up, kick the cramped leg
into the air in spite of the pain, and massage the cramp with one hand. It
is useful to use the other two limbs to swim towards the shore, though this
may not be possible.

Cramps are believed to be caused by indigestion, and by the over-exertion of
under-used muscles. For the latter reason, an overly vigorous leg stroke is
conducive to cramps.

The principal source of this page appears to be A Boy's Own Book of Outdoor
Sports, author unknown, published in the early 1900s (exact publication date
unknown, but definitely before 1923). The accuracy of the advice offered is
therefore questionable.

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