Floating is a very important skill. It can save your life and it can give you that all important rest when you need it. Surprisingly an awful lot of people think they are unable to float but it is a skill which can be learnt. I have put together some tips below for you to practice when you are in the pool or sea.
Some people are naturally floaters. They usually have a higher percentage of body fat. The science behind an object floating is density. Fat is less dense than muscle. So a muscular man with low body fat will find it more difficult to float than one who does not. This is because the body of the muscular man is more dense.
Even if you cannot swim, being able to float could save your life. If you can swim, you still need to be able to float. It allows you to rest if you are getting fatigued. It allows you to remain in a stable position to summon help by raising an arm. It allows you to calm down, and breathe comfortably, thereby reducing panic.
Floating really is a lifesaver. It is important that everybody, swimmer or not learns to float.
How can I learn to float?
You could learn to float with an instructor. We at Solent Swim School, can certainly help with that. At very least you need another person to look out for you, while you practice.
It is important that you relax and feel comfortable in the water. If you are nervous in the water, stay within your depth and have your companion in the water with you.
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You will find if you tense up that your breathing becomes more shallow and with less air in your lungs you are more dense. Think of your lungs as a couple of balloons waiting to be filled with air. The more air you have in your lungs the less dense your body is, making it easier to float. If you look at the opposite of floating, which is if you wanted to reach the bottom of the pool, you would release the air in your lungs so you could dive down.
Now using your companion to support your back, lean back and let the water support you. Relax and look up to the sky, ears in the water, chin up, arms outstretched. Relax and feel the water supporting you. Push up your tummy, by arching your back slightly and feel total relaxation of arms and legs and then you will start to feel your legs coming up completely on their own. The Star Float is the best way to float when you first start. Make a star with your body, arms outstretched and legs wide. This creates the most surface area.
Stay in that position and when you feel totally at ease, ask your companion to lower their hands away from your body, but still underneath you, ready to catch you. Stay completely still.
Now feel the water completely surrounding and supporting you. I bet you could stay like that for hours!!
Once mastered this could save your life!
©Solent Swim School 2022
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