How to Float in Water

Anyone who's going participate in water activities should learn to float. Almost everyone can learn to float; according to Archimedes' Law, the water displaced by your body weighs more than you do, so you become buoyant. Floating is one of the first things even the youngest new swimmer learns.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Find a safe place to float. If you're a new swimmer, it's a good idea to have a friend who knows how to swim nearby.

2. Remain relaxed while you're learning to float. Tense muscles may cause your body to be less buoyant, and shallow breathing means less air in your lungs. The air in your lungs acts like a flotation device for your chest.

3. Walk into a shallow area of the water and kneel down so the water is about waist deep.

4. Stretch your arms out in front of you, fill your lungs with air, tuck your head down and push off with your feet until you're in a prone position in the water. Slowly bring your arms together over your head until you're in a streamlined position. Don't kick or perform any swimming strokes.

5. Remain in this prone, streamlined position for about 5 seconds and then stand up. Repeat this in the shallow water, until you've mastered the technique.

6. Go out into waist-deep water. Continue to practice floating, eventually working your way out into chest-deep water.

Tips & Warnings

• To teach a child to float, place the palm of your hand under his abdomen for support until he's more comfortable with the prone floating position.
• If you fall into a flowing river or stream, the floating position is on your back with your feet pointing downstream. In this position, you're able to use your feet to push yourself away from obstacles.
• People float at different levels in the water. It has a lot to do with your fat content and the size of your lungs; therefore, everyone has her own level of buoyancy.
• Always face the shallow end of the water when you're practicing your floating technique. This keeps you from drifting out into the deep water while you're learning.

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