G

gag reflex

Retching or gagging caused by contact of a foreign body with the mucous membrane of the fauces (the space between the cavity of the mouth and the throat).

gait

The manner in which a person walks.

gallbladder, gall bladder

A pear-shaped organ on the inferior surface of the liver, which serves as a storage reservoir of bile.

gamete

A germ cell (i.e., the sperm or the egg) used in the process of reproduction.

gangrene

The death of body tissue that occurs due to a lack of blood flow to the tissue.

gas

A thin fluid, such as chlorine gas or oxygen, capable of indefinite expansion but convertible by pressure and cold to a liquid and, eventually, a solid.

gaseous

Of or relating to the properties of a gas.

gas exchange

The primary function of the lungs involving the transfer of oxygen from inhaled air to the bloodstream and the transfer of carbon dioxide from the bloodstream to exhaled air.

gastric

Of or relating to the stomach.

gauge

A measuring device.

gauntlet bandage

A figure-8 bandage covering the hand or wrist.

gauze

A bleached, sometimes sterile cotton cloth of plain weave used for dressings, bandages, or absorbent sponges.

gelcap

A formulation for drug administration in which the active ingredient is part of the gel placed in a capsule.

gender

The category of male, female, or androgynous as determined by an individual's sex.

general anatomy

The study of the composition of the human body, its organs, structures, tissues, fluids, and cells.

general physiology

The study of the functions and vital processes common to all living things.

genital

Of or relating to the internal and external organs of reproduction.

geriatric

Of or relating to old age or geriatrics.

geriatrics

The branch of medicine concerned with the health care of the elderly.

germ

A microorganism, especially a harmful one; a pathogen.

gestation

Pregnancy.

Giardia

A parasitic flagellate of the small intestines that can be transmitted as a recreational water illness (RWI), by person-to-person contact, or by eating contaminated food. These parasites are found worldwide in natural waterways, municipal water supplies, swimming pools, spas, and wells. Giardia infection is characterized by abdominal cramps, bloating, nausea, and bouts of watery diarrhea.

girl

A female child from birth through adulthood.

gland

A group of cells functioning as a secretory or excretory organ.

glare

An intense, direct or reflected light that causes discomfort and interferes with optimal vision.

glide

The portion of certain swimming strokes after the power phase when the body continues moving forward without additional effort by the swimmer. Strokes with a glide phase (e.g., breaststroke, sidestroke, elementary backstroke, etc.) are called resting strokes because the body rests during the glide phase.

glucose

A form of sugar processed from the food we eat and used as fuel for the cell of the body. With diabetes, the glucose collects in the blood instead of being used or stored either because the body does not produce the hormone insulin, which takes glucose from the blood to the cells (type 1 diabetes), or because insufficient insulin is produced and/or the cells in the body ignore the insulin (type 2 diabetes). For more information about diabetes, go to the American Diabetes Association website.

goggles

Protective glasses set in a flexible frame with a strap that holds the glasses snugly to the face so they can be worn while swimming to protect the eyes and help with seeing clearly underwater. Hundreds of styles of goggles are on the market today, including custom-fitting goggles, goggles with UV protection, prescription goggles, etc.

gonad

A reproductive gland (i.e., an ovary or testis) that produces gametes.

Good Samaritan laws

State laws enacted to protect healthcare providers and other rescue personnel from being sued as a result of providing help to a victim during an emergency. As long as reasonable care is used in assisting a person during an emergency, based on the resources that are available at the time, a rescuer cannot be sued for any injuries that the person sustains during the incident. Also called volunteer protection laws, these statutes do not usually protect against unreasonable or grossly negligent acts (see USA Today article).

grab start

A competitive start used for breaststroke, butterfly, individual medley, and freestyle events that begins with the swimmer standing with toes curled over the front edge of the starting block. On the command "take your mark," the swimmer grasps the front of the starting block with both hands to prepare for the start. When the starting signal sounds, the swimmer pulls forward to shift his or her center of gravity forward while pushing forcefully with his or her legs while extending his or her arms forward to rapidly enter the water at a 45 degree angle with as little splash as possible (and without belly flopping). The track start is a variation of the grab start in which the swimmer keeps one foot at the front edge of the starting block and the other foot back similar to the way a runner starts.

grand mal

A type of epilepsy characterized by two-phase tonic-clonic seizures--in the tonic phase the body is rigid and in the clonic phase the body jerks uncontrollably. Tonic-clonic seizures may last seconds or several minutes, they may or may not be preceded by an aura, and they are often followed by headache, confusion, and sleep.

grayout

A transient dimming or haziness of vision resulting from hypoxia or a temporary impairment of cerebral circulation and often preceding a blackout.

greenstick fracture

A bone fracture in a young individual in which the bone is partly broken and partly bent (like a green stick).

grief

The normal process of reacting to a loss. It can include anger, guilt, anxiety, sadness, and despair.

groin

1. The fold or depression marking the juncture of the lower abdomen and the inner part of the thigh. 2. A rigid structure built out from a shore to prevent erosion and trap sand.

gross anatomy

The study of the structures of the body that can be seen with the naked eye.

gross negligence

Careless acts in reckless disregard for others to the extent that it appears to be a conscious violation of other people's right to safety and proper care.

H

hair carry

An obsolete lifesaving carry performed in the water by gripping the victim's hair at the top of the head (from behind) and then towing the victim while keeping the towing arm straight.

hair follicle

A sac from which a hair grows and into which oil glands open.

half fly

A training technique for the butterfly, developed by Coach Emmett Hinds, in which the swimmer performs increasing numbers of proper butterfly strokes during each length of a front crawl (freestyle) swim. As the swimmer feels more comfortable, he or she increases the number of butterfly strokes at the beginning of each length until at least half of each length is butterfly. The most important aspect of this drill is to only perform proper butterfly strokes. When momentum begins to be lost, the swimmer should switch to front crawl until the next turn.

hallucinogen

A drug that causes profound distortions in a person's perception of reality by disrupting the interaction of nerve cells and the neurotransmitter serotonin which regulates mood, hunger, body temperature, sexual behavior, muscle control, and sensory perception. Hallucinogens include LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin (mushrooms).

hamstring

Any of prominent tendons at the back of the knees that assist in flexing the legs.

hand paddle

A flat, usually rectangular device attached to each hand by rubber tubing to increase resistance while swimming and thus strengthen the muscles of the arms, shoulders, chest, and back.

hangover

A collection of unpleasant or distressing symptoms that can develop after drinking too much alcohol. Hangovers are characterized by fatigue, thirst, headache, stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sensitivity to light and sound, bloodshot eyes, inability to sleep, and mood disturbances (e.g., anxiety, irritability, or depression).

HAV

The hepatitis A virus.

HBV

The hepatitis B virus.

HCV

The hepatitis C virus.

HDV

The hepatitis D virus.

headache

Pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck.

headfirst scull

A sculling technique performed on the back with arms at the sides of the body and palms and fingers flat so the continuous in-and-out motion of the hands directs water toward the feet, moving the body in a headfirst direction.

head injury

Any trauma of the scalp, skull, or brain. Head injuries can range from a minor bump on the skull to serious brain injury

head of the rip

The part of a rip current beyond the breaking waves where the current begins spreading out and losing strength.

hearing impairment

Partial or total loss of hearing.

heart attack

A condition in which blood does not reach a part of the heart due to a blood clot. This can result in pain, weakness, nausea, muscular damage, and cardiac arrest.

heartburn

A painful feeling just below or behind the sternum, usually originating in the esophagus. The pain may rise in the chest or spread to the throat.

heart disease

Any disorder that affects the heart's ability to function normally.

heart failure

A condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood to the rest of the body.

heat

The division of a swimming event when there are more entrants than swimming lanes. The times of each heat are compared to determine overall ranking for the event.

heat cramps

Painful muscle spasms of the abdomen, arms, or legs following strenuous activity especially in the sun or heat.

heat exhaustion

The body's response to the excessive loss of water and salt contained in sweat due to prolonged activity in the sun or hot environment. Heat exhaustion is characterized by exhaustion, excessive sweating, pale and clammy skin, normal body temperature, cramps, shallow breathing, and a rapid weak pulse

heat index

The temperature the body feels when heat and humidity are combined. Sweating cools the body through evaporation, but high relative humidity retards evaporation and robs the body of its ability to cool itself, making the environment seem hotter. When the heat gain exceeds the level the body can dissipate, body temperature rises, and heat related illnesses may develop (see heat stroke).

heat prostration

Another name for heat stroke or hyperthermia.

heat rash

An irritation of the skin caused by excessive sweating in a hot, humid environment. It is characterized by clusters of red pimples or blisters on the skin.

heat stroke

A life-threatening condition in which the body can no longer control its core temperature in a hot environment. Heat stroke is characterized by hot, red, dry skin; high body temperature; confusion; bizarre behavior or combativeness; strong, rapid pulse; and possible delirium or coma. Also known as heat prostration or hyperthermia.

hepatitis

Swelling and inflammation of the liver, caused by viral infection, damage from alcohol and other poisons, medication overdose (e.g., acetaminophen), or autoimmune diseases. Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, F, and G classifications have been identified. HAV and HEV are contracted by contact with food and other objects infected with contaminated blood or stool. HBV and HCV are transmitted by direct or indirect contact with infected blood, semen, or vaginal fluid. Hepatitis D (also called Delta agent) causes symptoms in patients who have HBV. HFV is a designation for a type of hepatitis that was thought to exist but could never be confirmed. HGV is a virus related to HCV but is not known to cause hepatitis or any other disease.

hernia

A protrusion of tissue through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it.

heroin

A semisynthetic drug derived from morphine.

HEV

The hepatitis E virus.

HFV

The designation for a type of hepatitis that later could not be confirmed. There is no known HFV virus.

HGV

The hepatitis G virus, first identified in 1995 as genetically similar to HCV but unable to cause hepatitis or any other disease..

hives

Raised, often itchy, red welts on the surface of the skin, usually as an allergic reaction to food, medicine, or an insect bite.

hopper-bottom pool

A swimming pool with a bottom that angles sharply up on all four sides from the deepest point.

hydraulic current

A powerful backflow of water created below a dam or waterfall when the water drops with enough volume and force to produce a recirculating flow from the bottom of the pool or river to the top again and then back toward the falling water. This creates a vertical whirlpool effect.

hydrodynamics

A branch of physics that deals with the motion of fluids and the forces acting on solid bodies immersed in fluids.

hydrostatic weighting

A method for determining body composition (body fat to lean muscle mass) by weighing a person on dry land first and then again underwater. A special calculation (based on Archimedes' principle of buoyancy and displacement) is then used to compare the two measurements to determine the quantity of the individual's body fat.

hyperventilation

Excessively rapid and deep breathing, also called overbreathing. Hyperventilation may be caused by anxiety or panic, drug abuse, asthma and lung disease, heart attack, etc., or it may be voluntarily induced for prolonged underwater swimming (which is a dangerous practice). Hyperventilation can result in dizziness, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, weakness, and shallow-water blackout.

hypoperfusion

A condition of acute peripheral circulatory failure due to the derangement of circulatory control or the loss of circulatory fluid. Hypoperfusion, also known as shock, is characterized by anxiety or irritability, pale or ashen skin that is cold and clammy, rapid and weak pulse, and a lowered level of consciousness. Untreated, hypoperfusion can be life-threatening. To care for hypoperfusion, monitor the patient's vital signs, stop any severe bleeding and lessen pain, maintain normal body temperature, and comfort and reassure the patient.

hypothermia

A dangerously low body temperature that occurs when the body loses more heat than can be replaced by normal internal or external rewarming. Initial signs of hypothermia include shivering, teeth chattering, and cold skin. As the condition worsens, shivering stops, movements become slow and clumsy, and thinking and judgment become impaired. To care for hypothermia, move the patient to a warm environment, remove wet clothing and wrap the patient in warm blankets, and rewarm gradually while monitoring the patient's vital signs. It may be difficult to detect pulse and breathing in a hypothermic victim. If you can detect no sign of life, you should begin CPR right away. If you can detect a pulse but no breathing, begin rescue breathing.