How to Tread Water

Learning to tread water should be approached in water that comes up to your mouth or higher. You need room to kick but you don't want to drown if you don't know how to swim. Follow these steps to tread water.

Instructions

1. Remember to stay relaxed and keep your lungs full of air so you will float better. Inhale deeply and hold your breath. Then exhale when you need to before taking another long, deep breath.

2. Lift one foot from the bottom up toward your chest. Simultaneously sweep both arms outward and slightly downward in a breaststroke-like motion. Have your palms facing out.

3. Raise your other foot while you bring the raised foot back down toward the bottom. Continue alternating your legs up and down almost like you're running under water. Your legs need to keep doing this while treading water.

4. Sweep your arms back inward and downward so they are both extended in front of you. Have your palms facing inward while doing this.

5. Continue your sweep of arms and running-under-water-like kick. Your legs and arms don't need to be coordinated. Do what is comfortable and what keeps you above water.

Tips & Warnings

• Once you become good at treading water, you can learn to do a combination of survival floating and treading water. These actions will keep you afloat for longer periods of time without becoming tired.

• After learning how to tread, it's okay to differ from the above technique. You can develop your own style.

• If you don't know how to swim, don't try this unless there's someone close by who knows how to swim and can save you.