Floating is a basic technique for surviving in the water and for swimming, you can learn it even before you know the techniques of swimming. The flotation technique is also used in water polo. Even if you can't swim, you can increase your stamina and stay afloat longer, while also increasing your full-body strength.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Basic Techniques
Step 1. Use your arms and legs
Use all four limbs with your body upright. If you put your body flat and start moving your legs and paddling with your feet, you are swimming, not floating.
Step 2. Keep your head up and breathe normally
Hold it over the water and slowly regulate your breathing. Slowing your breathing will help you calm down, conserve energy, and stay in the water longer.
Step 3. Move your arms horizontally
If you move them up and down, you move up, then you will go down again when you pull them towards you. Move your arms back and forth with your hands closed. This will keep your upper body out of the water.
Step 4. Move your legs in a circular fashion or move them back and forth
If you move them in a circular fashion, do not point your feet and do not stiffen them. If you are kicking back and forth, point your feet down and keep kicking.
Step 5. If necessary, lie on your back and gently move your arms and feet
Give your body a break while standing still on your back. You will still have to move both arms and legs, but not as much as when standing upright.
Step 6. Use any flotation device if you have trouble staying afloat
A trunk. A pole. A life preserver. Whatever it is, use a float that can support you and make you stand above the water. The less energy you consume to stay afloat, the longer you can stay there.
Part 2 of 2: Floating Techniques
Step 1. Splash a puppy
With this technique, move your arms in front of you, while your legs kick up and down.
- The advantage: you don't need a "correct technique" to do this.
- The downside: it requires energy, which means you won't be able to use this technique for a long time.
Step 2. Try kicking
It's like walking in water, keeping your arms outstretched to balance yourself. To kick, point your toes down and kick one leg forward and the other back. Continue with the movement.
- The advantage: when kicking your arms are free, so you can do more.
- The downside: Because you're only using your legs to stay afloat, this technique can be tiring.
Step 3. Move your frog legs
This movement consists of putting the feet to the side, and then back. This technique is also called "whip". Starting with your legs together, spread your feet outward and then quickly bring them back.
- The advantage: it's less tiring than kicking and splashing around like a puppy.
- The downside: You keep moving up and down with this technique instead of being relatively still.
Step 4. Try rowing
It consists in moving the water with your hands. To row, keep your hands open outward and fully submerged. With your palms facing each other, bring your hands together until they just touch. At this point, turn your palms out and move your hands back to their original position. Try to make a smooth back and forth motion.
- The advantage: you can keep your legs free by combining another technique for moving your feet such as kicking.
- The downside: you have to keep practically your entire body (except your head) underwater.
Step 5. Try the roll kick
Also called the whisk; here you move one foot clockwise while the other moves counterclockwise. This technique is difficult to master, but it saves a lot of energy.
- The advantage: you save a lot of energy if you can do this technique well.
- The downside: This is a difficult technique to perfect, and many people need to practice it a lot to learn it properly.
Step 6. Test the little helicopter
In the basic floating position, move your hands in a circle and feet up and down at the same time.
- The advantage: it is a very easy technique to explain to children.
- The downside: your hands can get tired quickly.
Advice
- Exercising will make it easier to float.
- The more salt or sugar there is in the water, the easier it is to float.
- Relax and conserve your energy. If you have to float for a long time, you will get tired a lot and will be more prone to hypothermia.
- If necessary, use flotation devices. They are very useful.
- If you are swimming and get tired, try doing it without using your arms.
Warnings
- Always swim with a partner.
- If you are swimming recently, do not try to impress someone in the water (such as floating with no arms, no legs, etc.)
