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MsNevermore's ramblings, observations, and thoughts

These are my thoughts, opinions and experiences alone. Feel free to contribute, debate or disagree....
6 years ago. January 9, 2018 at 5:05 PM

Disclaimer: I am an analogy whore. Take this with a side of humor as well as equal part of seriousness. These are my experiences and observations and should be only taken as such.

 


Floaties to the left and body bags to the right: Swim at your own risk.

 

Water depth and temp varies please check before diving in head first:
 

Seems of late that there is a new cry of alarm that there are sharks (predators) in the waters of our slice of the world. Here's the thing and yes feel free to disagree or debate but the truth is this: they are in every "body of water", always have been just as there have been those of us who have tried to educate those new to the pool of how to spot them. At some point each individual HAS to take responsibility for when where and how deep they then decide to jump in.
 

Just as any other there are types of sharks. Let me start off with the worst:


The Abuser:

 

The type that in reality isn't what should be known as a species at all but has come in and desigused themself with an alpha experienced persona. Yes, they are here and it is a risk we all take in swimming in this lifestyle. Then again, they are in the world in general so why are we debating the why of how they are here? More on the How to protect ones self from them later.
 

Next Shark in the water:

 

The Predator

 

Yes, there is a difference between them and the Abuser. They are even now known as such by title. They are usually known to be the harder players. Doesn't always mean pain but also mental and discipline desires. Most of the ones I have encountered will tell you as much and its up to one who is tipping their toes in to fully educated themselves as to the level and compatibility of themselves as to how to proceed.
 

Lastly in this generalization of species is the most common of them all:

 

The Frenzy

 

They outnumber all other types and in some cases can or will evolve or reveal themselves as one of the other two. When first encountering them they will not seem shark like at all. They will say and do just about anything to prove they are anything but a shark. Their "feeding" pattern is what will give them away if one just waits but a minute before jumping in head first. They are the first to surface around one new to the shore. They will claim to be exactly who one needs to navigate into the current, all the while being the one stirring the current. They usually mean no harm but they are usually new to the waters themselves and have no experience in the depths of the water they are encouraging one to follow.
 

So yes, there are Sharks. Ones that mean to destroy, Ones that are deliberate and Ones who are overstimulated by the scents of the water. So how do we as swimmers or life guards get them out? We don't. Not even the Abuser will ever be able to to fully eradicated and the Predator and Frenzy are just part of the evolving depths.
 

I want to point out, in case you missed it, not one time did I term any of the above toward one gender or title. This is important! Any gender or title is just as likely to be a shark. First mistake most will make is in thinking they only need look for a certain gender or title to be dangerous. A Shark can destroy with submission just as easily as Dominance. If you don't understand that statement you need to.
 

And here is your first lesson: One must know the basics of swimming before diving in. First is knowing who and why you are and want to swim. If you skip this step and just jump in without checking the depth one of two things will happen. You will drown or you will drown another in the attempt to find your way back to the surface. You will be that kid who thought it was okay to belly flop off the high board because there were lifeguards on duty to pull their ass out. So please, if you want to be taken seriously, know how to at least doggie paddle the basics. No one is expecting you to be a good medal swimmer your first time in. Just don't think those of us who have been in the waters to be your personal coast guard service.
 

Learning the different strokes is its own blog entirely so for now lets return to swimming with Sharks.
 

We have identified their presence and their types. Now all the rest is actually nothing more than utilizing proper protection for identifying exactly what type you encounter.
 

See we are at the point that it doesn't matter they are there IF one takes the steps in personally.
 

When encountering any of the many species in the water be sure you take time to get to know them. Talk talk talk! This is not where you get to get to take a little breath and then dive 20 feet into the dark waters. The longer you will need to hold your breath under water should be doubled by the time you take to get your breath before diving. How far how fast will you be going? Don't know...don't dive.
 

Once you have that down look around at the species they ate swimming with. Are they part of a bigger school of fish that can vouch or at least act, appear, or identify the same as the one before you? Yes, there are some that swim alone but if you've taken the proper breaths above you should have an idea as to why.
 

The first time you decide to start treading water have a swim buddy. Even if its on line only! Let someone know where, who and how you will be swimming. Safe calls are your safety net and anyone who tells you you don't need them is exactly who you need to swimming AWAY FROM!
 

If you find that you are over your head do ask for help. We are here and at one point or another have been exactly where you are. We don't mind helping you back to safe depths....just for the love of all that is common sense...don't immediately jump right back into the exact place you just got pulled from! Insanity is doing the same thing expecting a different result. Don't be that belly flopper....hint...it hurts the same the second time too!
 

If you encounter a shark. Identify it! Be sure of what type it is though before screaming Abuser. A Predator shark may seem scary to you but there are many that like a hard player, that alone is not an abuser. The distinct difference is Consent! And that goes both ways, fyi! If you don't know what depth you are consenting to DONT dive!

 

If consent is broken then let others know! Don't wait to see if it happens again, to someone else. 

 

If a Frenzy is bothering you. Either block them or educate them or point them to an area of the pool they can get a few swim lessons themselves.
 

This is no different than going to the ocean or diving into this lifestyle pool. The creatures are within. Its up to you to decide the how when and who you will swim with. If you don't want to encounter sharks....you will need to stick to kiddie pools. And even those tend to have leaches....
 

Happy Swimming
 


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