Swimmers could cope with this

[Juicy Lucy]

I reckon, as swimmers, we could all cope with this quite comfortably.

I refer to water boarding, one of the torture techniques authorised in America for the interrogation of al-Qaida terrorists.

Water boarding, as it is currently described, involves strapping a person to an inclined board, with his feet raised and his head lowered. The interrogators bind the person's arms and legs so he can't move at all, and they cover his face with some sort of cloth.

The interrogator then repeatedly pours water onto the person's face. The physical experience of being underneath a wave of water makes the terrorist believe he is drowning.

Of course, I wouldn’t fancy any other tortures, but I really think us swimmers wouldn’t be bothered by this too much.

[Taxing]

Offering to volunteer to see Juicy???

;)

[NotVeryFast]

Be careful, Juicy - if you cope with it well, they will assume you've done it before and are definitely a terrorist, so they'll move onto something a bit tougher.

[Taxing]

Thing she may enjoy some of those though.....

:p

[fdfd]

I couldn't cope! Have to duck my head underwater a couple of times prior to swimming to 'acclimatise' as it is :-)

[Slid]

I found this out from "Horrible Histories":

The point of the medieval water torture was to make the victim swallow a huge amount of water as alternative to drowning. This in turn led to the stomach bursting and other internal problems.

Would the contemporary version involve swallowing less water?

[Hannah_111]

The contmeporary version is just as horrible. An extract on waterboarding from Malcolm Nance (terrorism intelligence consultant for the U.S. government's Special Operations):

"Unless you have been strapped down to the board, have endured the agonizing feeling of the water overpowering your gag reflex, and then feel your throat open and allow pint after pint of water to involuntarily fill your lungs, you will not know the meaning of the word.

Waterboarding is a controlled drowning that, in the American model, occurs under the watch of a doctor, a psychologist, an interrogator and a trained strap-in/strap-out team. It does not simulate drowning, as the lungs are actually filling with water. There is no way to simulate that. The victim is drowning. How much the victim is to drown depends on the desired result (in the form of answers to questions shouted into the victim’s face) and the obstinacy of the subject.

A team doctor watches the quantity of water that is ingested and for the physiological signs which show when the drowning effect goes from painful psychological experience, to horrific suffocating punishment to the final death spiral.

Waterboarding is slow motion suffocation with enough time to contemplate the inevitability of black out and expiration –usually the person goes into hysterics on the board. For the uninitiated, it is horrifying to watch and if it goes wrong, it can lead straight to terminal hypoxia. When done right it is controlled death. Its lack of physical scarring allows the victim to recover and be threaten with its use again and again."

We're not all as tough as you, Juicy! ;)

[fdfd]

Its lack of physical scarring allows the victim to recover and be threaten with its use again and again."



Perhaps physically recover - how on earth could anyone recover mentally from that. Just the thought of it makes me feel extremely uncomfortable.

[Apostle]

I think that if terrorists are willing to kill themselves in order to kill or maim joe public then a little bit of torture should be easy. And if that prevents / saves innocent lives from being lost or the threat of it prevents them from doing it all the better.

[Leprechaun]

Bring it on, anytime compared to backstroke. I have developed a neat technique that ensures each recovering arms fills my gob with water. Hate Backstroke as much as Big Nev does and it screws my medley too.

[GettingFaster]

You hate Big Nev? Oh, Leppie, I'm so disappointed in you!

But back to the serious topic, Hannah's description of what waterboarding entails sends chills down my spine and makes me feel sick. The fact that it can be used repeatedlywithout leaving physical marks is probably the most horrific aspect to it.

[Speedy Gonzalez]

I heard on the radio this morning that one suspected terrorist in Guantamo, had to endure the waterboarding treatment 188 times.

[MadHighroller]

Bring it on, anytime compared to backstroke. I have developed a neat technique that ensures each recovering arms fills my gob with water. Hate Backstroke as much as Big Nev does and it screws my medley too.


Lol !

[Big Nev]

Hate Backstroke as much as Big Nev does and it screws my medley too.

No way. Nobody can hate anything as much as I hate backstroke.

well I suppose I'd rather do backstroke that meet Stevie Gerard.

[MadHighroller]

Hey.... whats wrong with backstroke ??

sorry, I digress.

[Big Nev]

Hey.... whats wrong with backstroke ??

sorry, I digress.

Leppy started it!!!!

Anyway it's common for threads to get highjacked.

As to backstroke....where do I start..........not seeing where you are going..

needs artificial aids to tell you when you need to turn......

Well everything really.

[Tewson Veste]

No way. Nobody can hate anything as much as I hate backstroke.

well I suppose I'd rather do backstroke that meet Stevie Gerard.

I heard he is looking for a new dentist.

[Big Nev]

I heard he is looking for a new dentist.

Do take a seat Mr Gerard, now where is the pain?



Sorted!!!

[Big Nev]

I think if anyone did that to me i would go out and buy an ak47 the next day.

What?.... made you swim backstroke?

[Taxing]

Do take a seat Mr Gerard, now where is the pain?



Sorted!!!

Standing beside him holding the mirror and scraper?

:p

[MadHighroller]

Leppy started it!!!!

Anyway it's common for threads to get highjacked.

As to backstroke....where do I start..........not seeing where you are going..

needs artificial aids to tell you when you need to turn......

Well everything really.



Yeah Leppy ! ;)

Im sticking up for backstroke here !

[Juicy Lucy]

A day in the life of a Rochdale dentist


Steven Gerard: “Can I sign on as a new patient at your surgery, Mr Dentist?”

Dentist: “Sorry, pal. Can’t take any more. My books are full.”

Steven Gerard: “But I’m a millionaire footballer, can’t you squeeze me in?”

Dentist: “Well, those gold fillings look as though they need replacing. Sit down, Mr Gerard.”


Dentist: (Whispers to assistant), “Make sure you keep those old fillings safe. They will go towards my Caribbean holiday fund.”

[Tewson Veste]

As a ex backstroker who defended the stroke in the early stages of membership at Swimclub I would like to apologize. Still can't breathe, had some coaching this week. I am doing another 100m back this Saturday at the Midlands. If it is another disaster I will not be doing more than 50m again. Ever! Again! As of today I agree with Nev.

[Taxing]

Gah grow up children

If my 11 yo is happy to do it you guys should be!

(Note - I can just about do breast stroke so don't suggest I try it!)

[Stevie_k]

I dont mind backstroke at all. Breaststroke is the one i dont like.

In fact i havent done a single stroke of breaststroke for about a month now.

Only competing in back, free and fly at the essex.

I think fly could become more of a favourite in the future.

[NotVeryFast]

Apparently, September 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed was waterboarded 183 times (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6130165.ece).

Does it really serve any useful purpose? I mean, after 182 times, is he going to suddenly give in on the 183rd time and decide he just can't take any more and tell them whatever they want to know? "On Saturday, The New York Times claimed that Abu Zubaydah had already given all the information he knew before he was subjected to waterboarding."

[GettingFaster]

And who was counting? I'd seen a report of 188.

For what it's worth, I'll tell you all I know. No need to go to the bother, just ask nicely and say please.

[Warm Water]

I volunteer to try waterboarding if they use beer. My answers might seem confused but they'll make a great story!