How to Swim Underwater

Effectively swim underwater with a calm stroke and a calm mind.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Swimming Trunks
• Swimsuits
• Beach Towels
• Swimming Fins
• Swimming Goggles
• Swimsuits

1. Exhale as much of the air in your lungs as possible, and then inhale as much as possible.

2. Repeat the first step one more time, and then slide beneath the surface of the water, holding your breath.

3. Push off hard (provided there is something to push off of) and streamline your body, with your legs together and your arms extended above your head. Point your toes and try to push your shoulders up to your ears.

4. Pull your knees up to your chest, kick out and apart, and then squeeze your legs together. This is the same as the breaststroke kick.

5. Turn your palms outward and pull your arms all the way down to your sides. Bend your arms and cup your hands to push as much water back as you can with your pull. This motion is done at the same time as your kick.

6. Glide as far as possible in your streamline position.

7. As your legs begin to pull up for your next kick, put your hands together and extend your arms for your next pull.

8. Relax and try not to concentrate on the time or distance spent underwater. When you need a breath of air, return to the surface.

Tips & Warnings

• Relax. Remain as calm as possible the entire time you are underwater. The more relaxed you are, the less oxygen your body will waste.
• If you have fins, use the same stroke, but with a freestyle kick.
• Don't overexert yourself holding your breath. Your lungs will build endurance with practice.
• Don't hyperventilate before swimming underwater. This is not a safe practice.

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[maxsynergy]

on 10/21/2008 I'm currently challenging myself to swim under water for long periods of time. I've found that sitting still under water calms the mind and gets the body acostumed to the task. You will find that after doing this a few times you can easily swim under water well-relaxed. Contrary to popular belief your stamina and capacity to stay under water actually increases with time. It's alos much easier if you swim over the bottom of the pool as the diving response kicks in which helps achieving the right state of mind and physically tunes you up for the task.

[jwedekin]

on 4/29/2007 The article has a warning suggesting that hyperventilating is dangerous (and it is), but the first 2 steps in the instructions would accomplish just that! Do not take faster than normal or deeper than normal breathes before swimming underwater. Doing this creates an imbalance in CO2 and O2 in the bloodstream. You could pass out underwater before you realize that you are out of oxygen.

on 7/29/2006 The best way is to pull in breaststroke fashion and kick in the freestyle fashion, even without fins. This gives me a much higher speed and makes the task less tiring.

on 7/23/2006 If you enjoy swimming underwater, but find it uncomfortable, you might want to consider goggles, a nose clip and/or earplugs. This will help you deal with the water pressure and relax, thus allowing you to stay underwater longer.

on 11/22/2005 Step 1: Take a deep breath of air then submerge. Step 2: Push off of wall, pull your arms in a braststroke motion and do the frog kick. Step 3: Close your eyes and try not to think about anything. You will then go father under water.