Question:
How did Douglas overcome his fear of water? How did the instructor help to make him a fearless swimmer?
How did Douglas overcome his fear of water? How did the instructor help to make him a fearless swimmer?
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Recall the harness-and-rope training method in 'Deep Water'.
Updated On: Sep 24, 2026
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Solution and Explanation
Understanding the Question:
This refers to William O. Douglas's 'Deep Water', an autobiographical account of overcoming a childhood fear of drowning.
Final Answer:
After nearly drowning as a boy at the YMCA pool, Douglas developed a deep fear of water that haunted him for years. He overcame it by consciously deciding to conquer his fear rather than live with it, and he hired a professional instructor. The instructor broke swimming into small steps: he first used a harness and rope to guide Douglas back and forth across the pool for weeks until fear left him, then trained him bit by bit in kicking, breathing, and arm movements, only combining them once each was mastered separately. Finally, Douglas tested himself by swimming alone across Lake Wentworth and then Warm Lake, deliberately courting the fear each time until it was completely gone.
This refers to William O. Douglas's 'Deep Water', an autobiographical account of overcoming a childhood fear of drowning.
Final Answer:
After nearly drowning as a boy at the YMCA pool, Douglas developed a deep fear of water that haunted him for years. He overcame it by consciously deciding to conquer his fear rather than live with it, and he hired a professional instructor. The instructor broke swimming into small steps: he first used a harness and rope to guide Douglas back and forth across the pool for weeks until fear left him, then trained him bit by bit in kicking, breathing, and arm movements, only combining them once each was mastered separately. Finally, Douglas tested himself by swimming alone across Lake Wentworth and then Warm Lake, deliberately courting the fear each time until it was completely gone.
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