There was a recent sad story here in Chicago. Four 20-somethings out on a sailboat on a beautiful evening, decided to jump in for a swim but didn't drop the anchor on the boat first. One of the men died; the two women survived by treading water for several hours during the night; and the second man's body has not been recovered.

I learned to tread water and to swim (Red Cross instructions) at summer camp. I'm not an especially good swimmer technique-wise, though. I was in a synchronized swim club my second year of college and that was a blast, but I couldn't continue because of my class schedule. I don't look good in a swimsuit at my current weight, so I don't go very often. But I do like to swim.