Learn How to Float in Water in 5 Steps

Swimming can be a nice way to relieve yourself of stress and refuel your motivation tank. However, it doesn’t always have to be swimming or attempting various strokes, you can also try floating in water which is effortless.

Asides relieving stress, learning how to float in water comes with its own benefits protecting you from drowning. Even in freestyle swimming, knowing how to float is very much needed.

Although not everyone knows how to float in water, floating isn’t difficult because the human body is designed to float by default. Yes, the presence of fat and oxygen in the human body, which also contains about 70-percent water, allows such ability.

While floating seems simple to do, it might be pretty difficult for some individuals. If you are one of such individuals, I will be putting you through, via this article, on how to float in water.

Before Practicing How to Float in Water

As I earlier said, humans are comprised of about 70-percent water, therefore, we have a close density to water. We also contain fats and inhale oxygen, which is less dense than water, into the lungs which act as a buoy, hence, we have the tendency to float than sink. Notwithstanding, if you do not know how to float on water, you will sink very easily.

If you are a new swimmer or have been trying to get it right, this is the right place to be. Before you start learning or practicing how to float in water, there are some things you should have and, as well, take note of.

Eliminate Your Fears and Relax

The thought of drowning when you are learning how to float can be scary. It is normal if you feel that way. However, if you are really going to float in water, you need to relax and stop panicking. Even if you are an expert swimmer, panicking won’t help you here. You just need to calm down and focus on staying afloat.

Leverage on the fact that your body has more tendency to float than to sink. With the proper mindset, you can breathe properly and your lungs and other parts of your body will receive enough oxygen to keep you afloat.

It is best to start in a swimming pool, preferably a shallow one. This will allow you to get up on your feet in case anything goes wrong. If you want to use the lake, a calm, shallow one will be best. As soon as you improve, you can try places with more depth. However, you can make use of pool noodles to aid yourself.

Gather Your Kits

Before you head to the pool, it will be ideal to grab your swim bag. If you are worried about water entering your ears, you may want to use earplugs. If you want to protect your eyes, a pair of swim goggles will do. You might also want to pack your hair with a swim cap for more convenience.

You can even improve your buoyancy with pool noodles and some other flotation devices. Just make sure you carry along with you everything you need to keep you safe and comfortable.

Go With Someone

Of course, this article will teach you how to float in water, but you might need someone to help you practice, maybe an instructor. Basically, they are going to be around to ensure your safety, acting as a lifeguard. In another way, they may also help with timers or even tell you where you need to improve. Sometimes, the presence of your loved one can be a source of motivation.

Practicing How to Float in Water in 5 Steps

Floating in water is synonymous with floating on your back. As easy as it may sound, it takes great skill to do it without sinking. It requires you to relax, breathe normally and align yourself properly in the water. This segment will be teaching you how to float in the water with relative ease.

Having gotten an instructor and used the necessary kits, gently descend into the water. You should slowly rest your back in the water such that your stomach faces up like you are lying on a bed.

Positioning Your Head

Positioning your head is the most important part of staying afloat. A number of beginners often get this part wrong. Perhaps, this is because they are scared, they can’t breathe or water is entering their ears. They often lift their head and this makes them lose their focus and balance.

Once you enter the pool, relax and free your body. Focus on making your back parallel in the water by keeping your spine straight from your head down to your back. Do not keep your head tilted but keep it straight and aligned with your body to ensure balance.

It is normal for your ear to be in the water. If your ears are not in the water, it means your head is not lying as flat as possible. This may result in strains, discomfort or loss of balance. However, if you feel uncomfortable, you can make use of earplugs. Ideally, the water line should be on your mid-cheek and your chin should be pointed up.

Positioning Your Trunk

Your trunk, though has more weight, contains the lungs which acts natural buoys. By breathing properly, keep your lungs inflated, hence, do not hold your breath. You need to keep your trunk straight with your head.

To keep your body from sinking into the water, you will have to push your chest out (arch your trunk). Your abdominal muscles will be required to keep you stable. Just like your head, the water line should be in the mid-line of your stomach.

Positioning Your Legs

Due to the presence of more muscles in your leg and a small surface area, your legs are more liable to sink. You can slightly bend your knees, keep a small distance between them and attempt to keep your legs afloat.

If you try to raise them to the water surface you are more likely to lose balance on other parts. Also, straightening your legs will also make you sink quickly.

Positioning Your Arms

Your arms are basically for counterbalancing the weight of your legs. Hence, poor positioning may even complicate things further. You can position your arms in two ways.

You can choose to place your arms above your head to resemble a diving pose. You may also want to try something more interesting like placing your palms beneath your head as in the case of sit-ups.

Make Some Movements

As you continue to float in water, you need to make some movements to keep you afloat and in position. You need to engage your arms and legs to keep you in place – the former for your upper body and the latter when your body is sinking at the other part. Start by kicking your legs and continue until you regain your position. Also, move your hands above your head to keep your upper body stable.

Just small movements of your arms and legs are enough to keep you afloat. You do not have to kick hard so you don’t move out of position. Slowly and gently beating your legs is enough to keep you close to the water surface and balance your body overall. In some cases, you might need to arch you back up further.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Did you miss some important information or you have some questions? To help you understand how to float better in water, here are some frequently asked questions you might want to see.

Conclusion

By now, you should be able to know how to float in water. Of course, you won’t master in one day. Just keep practicing and you will definitely get it right. Since you are just learning, always have someone with you. You should also practice in calm, shallow waters before heading to a deeper one. Remember, it’s safety first.