Why do we swim????

Hi, firstly I would have a SERIOUS word with the people who keep watch on
your pool. It is NOT acceptable for a life saver to simply ignore those who
seem to swim well.

Secondly, I can really imagine that this experience has scared the life out
of you, it would have done to me too, but I am glad to see it has not put
you off completely and that you intend to deal with the issue rather than
give up in fright.

I would STOP completely your front crawl practice (unless you can find
somebody to swim along side you that you trust). If you are not comfortable
in the water and under water then you should not be swimming alone in water
beyond your depth just yet. Sort the under water problem out (it won't take
long) and then get back to the front crawl.It will be MUCH safer (and less
scarey) that way. I understand that many countries teach kids to swim
underwater FIRST, and then teach them to swim on the surface - presumably as
swimming underwater is a more important survival skill in the event of
something unfortunate happening - also it builds confidence in the swimmer.

I would suggest practicing in a shallow area (perhaps waist deep) some basic
under water confidence skills.

Most people swim breast stroke when underwater (it works fine when you are
completely submerged where as front crawl arms won't work so well
underwater). If you can do basic breast stroke arms, this should be enough
to allow you to easily surface from being underwater without having anything
to "Kick off" from.

You can practice this by swimming horizontally in waist deep water - but
under the water. Once you are comfortable that this is working and you can
do a few strokes while holding your breath, you can try swimming up and down
a bit this way. Once you think you have this cracked, advice the life guard
of what you are about to try and try it in slightly deeper water. You should
aim to be able to swim happilly from 10ft of water to the surface without
any feelings of panic.

I suspect you can easily do this, and your failure to do this the other day
was more through panic and stress than actually physical ability. In
reality, you probably had longer than you think to deal with the sittuation,
but hey, there is no point in pushing your luck and trying to find that out
:-)

Good luck with your practicing and congratulations on not letting this
experience defeat you!

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have been swimming confidently since the last 10 days. Infact
frequent readers can review some of my initial posts and thanks to
your ideas and tips I have generally swam in not so perfect freestyle
but something similar. I thought I need to work really hard at making
those numerous "corrections" from this point onwards.

I'm 5 ft-9 inches tall and was swimming in the five-six feet portion
of the pool since last one month. Couple of days back we wered egged
into competing with each other which meant jumping from the 10 ft part
of the pool, sliding and completing the race at the 4 ft part of the
pool. I was doing ok. One of the guys working for the pool asked me to
swim "breadth wise" in the 10 ft part of the pool saying thats the
true test.whether I could swim confortably. I could swim comfortably.

The other day something happened. I went to the pool a bit early and
there were lot of people around. To stay away from the crowd I started
swimming in the 10 ft side of the pool. Even here there were many
people swimming but it was not as packed as the less deeper part of
the pool.

After swimming for two rounds with a gap I took to swimming the third
round (this was breadth wise in the 10 ft part of the pool).

Normally as I finished my lap I reach out and hold to the hand
railing. This time somebody came in between and I missed holding the
railing. Since I was at the end of my lap I had stopped swimming by
then and my legs came underneath. I went down in the water. After
becoming completely submerged, as I could still see the ladder I tried
to reach out... once.. twice..I failed to grab. I panicked. I made a
desparate attempt to surface, flailing my arms and legs. I was in a
limbo....neither going up not touching the tiles below so that I can
push my self up. In the process I realized that I was at the corner of
the pool and nobody would notice me or perhaps would ignore me
thinking I was upto something. While I was trying to reach the
ladder, I was not able to make any movement at all. In fact I was
still as if locked in....limbo. Slowly it dawned on me that my game
was up, I thrashed more desperately. One thing I distinctly remember
is squirting water repeatedly in strong bursts.

As I contemplated the thought of drowning, I made another last effort
to grab the dress of the lady who was standing half sumbrged on the
ladder but for some reason had moved to stand a litle bit closer to
me. Without hesitating I grabbed, pulled hard and surfaced. The air
that I gulped in cannot be described. I was shivering. Thanks to
almighty that the lady had shifted her position on the ladder. I was
gone totally and completely. Later I hesitated to even go near the
pool. After discussing the incident with the guy who normally (is
supposed to keep a watch), he expressed surprise and said - "Oh but
you swim well".

I did not enter the pool since then. This was last Sunday (May-27)
morning.

My whole thinking has changed now. Why do we learn to swim (non
professionals I mean), fitness, recreation, survival in water?

Imagine, If the lady had not shifted her position on the ladder? I was
not wearing goggles limiting my sight? I was far away from the ladder
etc? I found myself in the water unintentionally?

I spent the whole day thinking - whats the point in learning neat
freestyle, if I'm not able to surface or move after getting submerged
in deeper waters. I intend to spend the rest of time henceforth in
learning underwater movement. Thats what I have resolved. I mean this
is fundamental and there is basically no point in swimming in water if
you cant move underneath or surface at will from underneath. Correct
me If I'm wrong.

And folks please help me with as many of your experiences - how did
you surface when being alone in case you happened to be in such
situations (For once I will never swim alone in the deeper part unless
I'm with some body having full 100% attention at me till I have 100%
expertise).

Please foward me as many links as to whats the correct sequence of
steps that one should imbibe subconsciously which should trigger when
one finds one self in such situations (including panic attacks - I
know from TI literature that leaving your neck free in water raises
your legs from behind you)

How do folks move underwater? I'm looking at this in a completely
different, exalted perspective. Forget about cultivating the elegance
of freestyle for now.

Please comment and share.

(Please note I'm in India where there are not many rules/standard
procudures followed by the pool management. There are also no gadgets)

Thanks,
Tyro

Why didn't you just swim? You can actually swim the crawl stroke
underwater. It feels a bit awkward at first, but it does work. Mike
Nelson, the second greatest scuba diver of all time, used to swim
crawl stroke underwater all the time. He had fins on, of course, but
he was also carrying several kilos of scuba gear. Next time just start
swimming. You'll be fine.

Quoted message said:

I have been swimming confidently since the last 10 days. Infact
frequent readers can review some of my initial posts and thanks to
your ideas and tips I have generally swam in not so perfect freestyle
but something similar. I thought I need to work really hard at making
those numerous "corrections" from this point onwards.

I'm 5 ft-9 inches tall and was swimming in the five-six feet portion
of the pool since last one month. Couple of days back we wered egged
into competing with each other which meant jumping from the 10 ft part
of the pool, sliding and completing the race at the 4 ft part of the
pool. I was doing ok. One of the guys working for the pool asked me to
swim "breadth wise" in the 10 ft part of the pool saying thats the
true test.whether I could swim confortably. I could swim comfortably.

The other day something happened. I went to the pool a bit early and
there were lot of people around. To stay away from the crowd I started
swimming in the 10 ft side of the pool. Even here there were many
people swimming but it was not as packed as the less deeper part of
the pool.

After swimming for two rounds with a gap I took to swimming the third
round (this was breadth wise in the 10 ft part of the pool).

Normally as I finished my lap I reach out and hold to the hand
railing. This time somebody came in between and I missed holding the
railing. Since I was at the end of my lap I had stopped swimming by
then and my legs came underneath. I went down in the water. After
becoming completely submerged, as I could still see the ladder I tried
to reach out... once.. twice..I failed to grab. I panicked. I made a
desparate attempt to surface, flailing my arms and legs. I was in a
limbo....neither going up not touching the tiles below so that I can
push my self up. In the process I realized that I was at the corner of
the pool and nobody would notice me or perhaps would ignore me
thinking I was upto something. While I was trying to reach the
ladder, I was not able to make any movement at all. In fact I was
still as if locked in....limbo. Slowly it dawned on me that my game
was up, I thrashed more desperately. One thing I distinctly remember
is squirting water repeatedly in strong bursts.

As I contemplated the thought of drowning, I made another last effort
to grab the dress of the lady who was standing half sumbrged on the
ladder but for some reason had moved to stand a litle bit closer to
me. Without hesitating I grabbed, pulled hard and surfaced. The air
that I gulped in cannot be described. I was shivering. Thanks to
almighty that the lady had shifted her position on the ladder. I was
gone totally and completely. Later I hesitated to even go near the
pool. After discussing the incident with the guy who normally (is
supposed to keep a watch), he expressed surprise and said - "Oh but
you swim well".

I did not enter the pool since then. This was last Sunday (May-27)
morning.

My whole thinking has changed now. Why do we learn to swim (non
professionals I mean), fitness, recreation, survival in water?

Imagine, If the lady had not shifted her position on the ladder? I was
not wearing goggles limiting my sight? I was far away from the ladder
etc? I found myself in the water unintentionally?

I spent the whole day thinking - whats the point in learning neat
freestyle, if I'm not able to surface or move after getting submerged
in deeper waters. I intend to spend the rest of time henceforth in
learning underwater movement. Thats what I have resolved. I mean this
is fundamental and there is basically no point in swimming in water if
you cant move underneath or surface at will from underneath. Correct
me If I'm wrong.

And folks please help me with as many of your experiences - how did
you surface when being alone in case you happened to be in such
situations (For once I will never swim alone in the deeper part unless
I'm with some body having full 100% attention at me till I have 100%
expertise).

Please foward me as many links as to whats the correct sequence of
steps that one should imbibe subconsciously which should trigger when
one finds one self in such situations (including panic attacks - I
know from TI literature that leaving your neck free in water raises
your legs from behind you)

How do folks move underwater? I'm looking at this in a completely
different, exalted perspective. Forget about cultivating the elegance
of freestyle for now.

Please comment and share.

(Please note I'm in India where there are not many rules/standard
procudures followed by the pool management. There are also no gadgets)

Thanks,
Tyro

Ashwin,
I think we all have been enjoying your posts and your sincerity. I
learned to swim after a near-drowning at at 3, and spent several years
as a regular swimmer, 30+ years later, confronting this fear on a daily
basis.

One of the skills taught in the US in advanced beginners swimming is
treading water. Practicing this is excellent exercise and would have
helped you to push up through the water when you couldn't get up toward
the surface. If you can strengthen your legs sufficiently with a breast
stroke type kick, you will be able to come to the surface without
holding on. You will also have more confidence if you can also practice
other kicks to the degree that you can get to the surface, so practice
dolphin and flutter kicking. Panic is really your enemy in these cases.
Madelaine

Quoted message said:

I have been swimming confidently since the last 10 days. Infact
frequent readers can review some of my initial posts and thanks to
your ideas and tips I have generally swam in not so perfect freestyle
but something similar. I thought I need to work really hard at making
those numerous "corrections" from this point onwards.

I'm 5 ft-9 inches tall and was swimming in the five-six feet portion
of the pool since last one month. Couple of days back we wered egged
into competing with each other which meant jumping from the 10 ft part
of the pool, sliding and completing the race at the 4 ft part of the
pool. I was doing ok. One of the guys working for the pool asked me to
swim "breadth wise" in the 10 ft part of the pool saying thats the
true test.whether I could swim confortably. I could swim comfortably.

The other day something happened. I went to the pool a bit early and
there were lot of people around. To stay away from the crowd I started
swimming in the 10 ft side of the pool. Even here there were many
people swimming but it was not as packed as the less deeper part of
the pool.

After swimming for two rounds with a gap I took to swimming the third
round (this was breadth wise in the 10 ft part of the pool).

Normally as I finished my lap I reach out and hold to the hand
railing. This time somebody came in between and I missed holding the
railing. Since I was at the end of my lap I had stopped swimming by
then and my legs came underneath. I went down in the water. After
becoming completely submerged, as I could still see the ladder I tried
to reach out... once.. twice..I failed to grab. I panicked. I made a
desparate attempt to surface, flailing my arms and legs. I was in a
limbo....neither going up not touching the tiles below so that I can
push my self up. In the process I realized that I was at the corner of
the pool and nobody would notice me or perhaps would ignore me
thinking I was upto something. While I was trying to reach the
ladder, I was not able to make any movement at all. In fact I was
still as if locked in....limbo. Slowly it dawned on me that my game
was up, I thrashed more desperately. One thing I distinctly remember
is squirting water repeatedly in strong bursts.

As I contemplated the thought of drowning, I made another last effort
to grab the dress of the lady who was standing half sumbrged on the
ladder but for some reason had moved to stand a litle bit closer to
me. Without hesitating I grabbed, pulled hard and surfaced. The air
that I gulped in cannot be described. I was shivering. Thanks to
almighty that the lady had shifted her position on the ladder. I was
gone totally and completely. Later I hesitated to even go near the
pool. After discussing the incident with the guy who normally (is
supposed to keep a watch), he expressed surprise and said - "Oh but
you swim well".

I did not enter the pool since then. This was last Sunday (May-27)
morning.

My whole thinking has changed now. Why do we learn to swim (non
professionals I mean), fitness, recreation, survival in water?

Imagine, If the lady had not shifted her position on the ladder? I was
not wearing goggles limiting my sight? I was far away from the ladder
etc? I found myself in the water unintentionally?

I spent the whole day thinking - whats the point in learning neat
freestyle, if I'm not able to surface or move after getting submerged
in deeper waters. I intend to spend the rest of time henceforth in
learning underwater movement. Thats what I have resolved. I mean this
is fundamental and there is basically no point in swimming in water if
you cant move underneath or surface at will from underneath. Correct
me If I'm wrong.

And folks please help me with as many of your experiences - how did
you surface when being alone in case you happened to be in such
situations (For once I will never swim alone in the deeper part unless
I'm with some body having full 100% attention at me till I have 100%
expertise).

Please foward me as many links as to whats the correct sequence of
steps that one should imbibe subconsciously which should trigger when
one finds one self in such situations (including panic attacks - I
know from TI literature that leaving your neck free in water raises
your legs from behind you)

How do folks move underwater? I'm looking at this in a completely
different, exalted perspective. Forget about cultivating the elegance
of freestyle for now.

Please comment and share.

(Please note I'm in India where there are not many rules/standard
procudures followed by the pool management. There are also no gadgets)

Thanks,
Tyro

Next time, remember Newton's Law that states "for every action there is an
equal and opposite reaction." What I mean is---if you push down on the
water, your body will go upwards. No "flailing around" or "thrashing"---just
push down on the water as many times as you need and your body will go up to
the top of the water. You might want to try practicing this.

I taught my children to swim underwater before anything
else. I describe what I did on my page:
http://ruthkazez.com/FearOfWater/FearOfWater.html
I would suggest doing the stuff I mention on that page, but
in deep water. Try to touch bottom with your feet if it's
deep, hands if not so deep. Swimming underwater is the same
as breaststroke except you pull all the way back. Try
different ways to tread water: figure 8s with your hands
alone, scissors or breaststroke kick with hands out of
water, any combination. When you let yourself slide down
underwater, don't hurry back up, but look around first, then
as Pat says, any motion of your hands or legs down will
cause you to go up. Do it slowly. Down count slowly 3, stay
down another slow 3, up slow 3. Pay attention to how
difficult it is to stay down. Your body is much lighter than
water and wants to go up; it will only stay down if you make
upwards motions, again as Pat says.

rtk

MW Smith said:

Why didn't you just swim? You can actually swim the crawl stroke
underwater.

well, of course that sounds logical and obvious now, but when an in
experienced swimmer is panicking, all they can think to do it flail.

To answer the OP Tyro, we should learn to swim for all of your
reasons: survival, fitness and recreation. Your near drowning
experience was traumatic, no doubt, but I have personally have 3 near-
drowning experiences in my life, yet I still swim with no fear. Sure,
I was traumatized for a while after each experience, but eventually I
got back in the water, and you should too.

Your situation is very common among inexperienced swimmers who rely on
grabbing on to the side of the pool, or being able to touch the bottom
with their feet. When something goes wrong they panic, when in
actually all they had to do was hold their breath a bit longer and be
able to grab the rail or touch bottom.

When your trauma wears off, go back to the shallow end and practice
swimming underwater, it's actually very simple. Practice "missing the
rail" and how to recover from that. You could also learn how to tread
water, which would help prevent panics.

Bucky said:

MW Smith said:

Why didn't you just swim? You can actually swim the crawl stroke
underwater.

well, of course that sounds logical and obvious now, but when an in
experienced swimmer is panicking, all they can think to do it flail.

Yes, but I was trying to get at Tyro's apparent belief that swimming
only works when you're on the surface in a horizontal position. That's
a simple, fundamental misconception.

Panic is a separate problem that is dependent on a person's genetic
makeup and other, early learning factors, I suppose, but not every
novice swimmer panics in the situation Tyro described. In my
experience as a lifeguard, I saw even non-swimmers who didn't panic
when finding themselves in deep water by mistake.

Quoted message said:

To answer the OP Tyro, we should learn to swim for all of your
reasons: survival, fitness and recreation. Your near drowning
experience was traumatic, no doubt, but I have personally have 3 near-
drowning experiences in my life, yet I still swim with no fear. Sure,
I was traumatized for a while after each experience, but eventually I
got back in the water, and you should too.

Your situation is very common among inexperienced swimmers who rely on
grabbing on to the side of the pool, or being able to touch the bottom
with their feet. When something goes wrong they panic, when in
actually all they had to do was hold their breath a bit longer and be
able to grab the rail or touch bottom.

When your trauma wears off, go back to the shallow end and practice
swimming underwater, it's actually very simple. Practice "missing the
rail" and how to recover from that. You could also learn how to tread
water, which would help prevent panics.

Quoted message said:

I have been swimming confidently since the last 10 days. Infact
frequent readers can review some of my initial posts and thanks to
your ideas and tips I have generally swam in not so perfect freestyle
but something similar. I thought I need to work really hard at making
those numerous "corrections" from this point onwards.

I'm 5 ft-9 inches tall and was swimming in the five-six feet portion
of the pool since last one month. Couple of days back we wered egged
into competing with each other which meant jumping from the 10 ft part
of the pool, sliding and completing the race at the 4 ft part of the
pool. I was doing ok. One of the guys working for the pool asked me to
swim "breadth wise" in the 10 ft part of the pool saying thats the
true test.whether I could swim confortably. I could swim comfortably.

The other day something happened. I went to the pool a bit early and
there were lot of people around. To stay away from the crowd I started
swimming in the 10 ft side of the pool. Even here there were many
people swimming but it was not as packed as the less deeper part of
the pool.

After swimming for two rounds with a gap I took to swimming the third
round (this was breadth wise in the 10 ft part of the pool).

Normally as I finished my lap I reach out and hold to the hand
railing. This time somebody came in between and I missed holding the
railing. Since I was at the end of my lap I had stopped swimming by
then and my legs came underneath. I went down in the water. After
becoming completely submerged, as I could still see the ladder I tried
to reach out... once.. twice..I failed to grab. I panicked. I made a
desparate attempt to surface, flailing my arms and legs. I was in a
limbo....neither going up not touching the tiles below so that I can
push my self up. In the process I realized that I was at the corner of
the pool and nobody would notice me or perhaps would ignore me
thinking I was upto something. While I was trying to reach the
ladder, I was not able to make any movement at all. In fact I was
still as if locked in....limbo. Slowly it dawned on me that my game
was up, I thrashed more desperately. One thing I distinctly remember
is squirting water repeatedly in strong bursts.

As I contemplated the thought of drowning, I made another last effort
to grab the dress of the lady who was standing half sumbrged on the
ladder but for some reason had moved to stand a litle bit closer to
me. Without hesitating I grabbed, pulled hard and surfaced. The air
that I gulped in cannot be described. I was shivering. Thanks to
almighty that the lady had shifted her position on the ladder. I was
gone totally and completely. Later I hesitated to even go near the
pool. After discussing the incident with the guy who normally (is
supposed to keep a watch), he expressed surprise and said - "Oh but
you swim well".

I did not enter the pool since then. This was last Sunday (May-27)
morning.

My whole thinking has changed now. Why do we learn to swim (non
professionals I mean), fitness, recreation, survival in water?

Imagine, If the lady had not shifted her position on the ladder? I was
not wearing goggles limiting my sight? I was far away from the ladder
etc? I found myself in the water unintentionally?

I spent the whole day thinking - whats the point in learning neat
freestyle, if I'm not able to surface or move after getting submerged
in deeper waters. I intend to spend the rest of time henceforth in
learning underwater movement. Thats what I have resolved. I mean this
is fundamental and there is basically no point in swimming in water if
you cant move underneath or surface at will from underneath. Correct
me If I'm wrong.

And folks please help me with as many of your experiences - how did
you surface when being alone in case you happened to be in such
situations (For once I will never swim alone in the deeper part unless
I'm with some body having full 100% attention at me till I have 100%
expertise).

Please foward me as many links as to whats the correct sequence of
steps that one should imbibe subconsciously which should trigger when
one finds one self in such situations (including panic attacks - I
know from TI literature that leaving your neck free in water raises
your legs from behind you)

How do folks move underwater? I'm looking at this in a completely
different, exalted perspective. Forget about cultivating the elegance
of freestyle for now.

Please comment and share.

(Please note I'm in India where there are not many rules/standard
procudures followed by the pool management. There are also no gadgets)

Thanks,
Tyro

You should learn to tread water. You can do that in the shallow end,
just pull your feet up. Try a sitting position, then just wave your
arms gently back and forth (sort of a flying motion, but gently), and
move your legs as though you were riding a bicycle.

Until you can tread water, stay out of the deep end of the pool so you
don't have to rely on grabbing the edge to stay afloat. And relax!
Everyone can float; those who think they can't are just tensing up,
trying too hard or panicking. Watch films that show people swimming -
you'll get the idea of how to move through water, even below the
surface. You will be able to start and stop swimming anywhere in the
pool if you learn to tread water.

MLW

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I have been swimming confidently since the last 10 days. Infact
frequent readers can review some of my initial posts and thanks to
your ideas and tips I have generally swam in not so perfect freestyle
but something similar. I thought I need to work really hard at making
those numerous "corrections" from this point onwards.

Quoted message said:

I'm 5 ft-9 inches tall and was swimming in the five-six feet portion
of the pool since last one month. Couple of days back we wered egged
into competing with each other which meant jumping from the 10 ft part
of the pool, sliding and completing the race at the 4 ft part of the
pool. I was doing ok. One of the guys working for the pool asked me to
swim "breadth wise" in the 10 ft part of the pool saying thats the
true test.whether I could swim confortably. I could swim comfortably.

Quoted message said:

The other day something happened. I went to the pool a bit early and
there were lot of people around. To stay away from the crowd I started
swimming in the 10 ft side of the pool. Even here there were many
people swimming but it was not as packed as the less deeper part of
the pool.

Quoted message said:

After swimming for two rounds with a gap I took to swimming the third
round (this was breadth wise in the 10 ft part of the pool).

Quoted message said:

Normally as I finished my lap I reach out and hold to the hand
railing. This time somebody came in between and I missed holding the
railing. Since I was at the end of my lap I had stopped swimming by
then and my legs came underneath. I went down in the water. After
becoming completely submerged, as I could still see the ladder I tried
to reach out... once.. twice..I failed to grab. I panicked. I made a
desparate attempt to surface, flailing my arms and legs. I was in a
limbo....neither going up not touching the tiles below so that I can
push my self up. In the process I realized that I was at the corner of
the pool and nobody would notice me or perhaps would ignore me
thinking I was upto something. While I was trying to reach the
ladder, I was not able to make any movement at all. In fact I was
still as if locked in....limbo. Slowly it dawned on me that my game
was up, I thrashed more desperately. One thing I distinctly remember
is squirting water repeatedly in strong bursts.

Quoted message said:

As I contemplated the thought of drowning, I made another last effort
to grab the dress of the lady who was standing half sumbrged on the
ladder but for some reason had moved to stand a litle bit closer to
me. Without hesitating I grabbed, pulled hard and surfaced. The air
that I gulped in cannot be described. I was shivering. Thanks to
almighty that the lady had shifted her position on the ladder. I was
gone totally and completely. Later I hesitated to even go near the
pool. After discussing the incident with the guy who normally (is
supposed to keep a watch), he expressed surprise and said - "Oh but
you swim well".

Quoted message said:

I did not enter the pool since then. This was last Sunday (May-27)
morning.

Quoted message said:

My whole thinking has changed now. Why do we learn to swim (non
professionals I mean), fitness, recreation, survival in water?

Quoted message said:

Imagine, If the lady had not shifted her position on the ladder? I was
not wearing goggles limiting my sight? I was far away from the ladder
etc? I found myself in the water unintentionally?

Quoted message said:

I spent the whole day thinking - whats the point in learning neat
freestyle, if I'm not able to surface or move after getting submerged
in deeper waters. I intend to spend the rest of time henceforth in
learning underwater movement. Thats what I have resolved. I mean this
is fundamental and there is basically no point in swimming in water if
you cant move underneath or surface at will from underneath. Correct
me If I'm wrong.

Quoted message said:

And folks please help me with as many of your experiences - how did
you surface when being alone in case you happened to be in such
situations (For once I will never swim alone in the deeper part unless
I'm with some body having full 100% attention at me till I have 100%
expertise).

Quoted message said:

Please foward me as many links as to whats the correct sequence of
steps that one should imbibe subconsciously which should trigger when
one finds one self in such situations (including panic attacks - I
know from TI literature that leaving your neck free in water raises
your legs from behind you)

Quoted message said:

How do folks move underwater? I'm looking at this in a completely
different, exalted perspective. Forget about cultivating the elegance
of freestyle for now.

Quoted message said:

Please comment and share.

Quoted message said:

(Please note I'm in India where there are not many rules/standard
procudures followed by the pool management. There are also no gadgets)

Quoted message said:

Thanks,
Tyro

You should learn to tread water. You can do that in the shallow end,
just pull your feet up. Try a sitting position, then just wave your
arms gently back and forth (sort of a flying motion, but gently), and
move your legs as though you were riding a bicycle.

Until you can tread water, stay out of the deep end of the pool so you
don't have to rely on grabbing the edge to stay afloat. And relax!
Everyone can float; those who think they can't are just tensing up,
trying too hard or panicking. Watch films that show people swimming -
you'll get the idea of how to move through water, even below the
surface. You will be able to start and stop swimming anywhere in the
pool if you learn to tread water.

MLW- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

A big thanks to all those who have taken time to go through my lengthy
post and repond. Specifically JJ, MW Smith, Madelaine, Pat, rtk,
Bucky, MLW.

I have started going to the pool and I'm concentrating on swimming
underneath. I took the advise of breast-stroke seriously and watched
many animated clippings on BBC sport and vidoes on Google.

Earlier I did not know how to gain movement below water. Now I'm able
to move to about 20 feet+ underwater in one breath. This I'm doing in
the shallow end of the pool where the water level is 5 feet. Today, I
was literally touching the tiles underneath and swimming on them.
Needless to stay its interesting and very challenging. I'm through
with front crawl for now.

Yesterday, I had watched a specific video on Google where the swimmer
was able to spend unbelieavable amount of time underneath. Maybe it
comes with practise. But yes. 99% of time in the pool is now focused
on underwater movement and getting comfortable in there.

The day I move into the 10 ft part of the pool with confidence, I'm
gonna once again submit a post. Thanks once again everybody.

Regards,
Tyro

Quoted message said:

A big thanks to all those who have taken time to go through my lengthy
post and repond. Specifically JJ, MW Smith, Madelaine, Pat, rtk,
Bucky, MLW.

I have started going to the pool and I'm concentrating on swimming
underneath. I took the advise of breast-stroke seriously and watched
many animated clippings on BBC sport and vidoes on Google.

Earlier I did not know how to gain movement below water. Now I'm able
to move to about 20 feet+ underwater in one breath. This I'm doing in
the shallow end of the pool where the water level is 5 feet. Today, I
was literally touching the tiles underneath and swimming on them.
Needless to stay its interesting and very challenging. I'm through
with front crawl for now.

Yesterday, I had watched a specific video on Google where the swimmer
was able to spend unbelieavable amount of time underneath. Maybe it
comes with practise. But yes. 99% of time in the pool is now focused
on underwater movement and getting comfortable in there.

The day I move into the 10 ft part of the pool with confidence, I'm
gonna once again submit a post. Thanks once again everybody.

Regards,
Tyro

Please, both of you---learn to snip the irrelevant parts of the previous
posts. There is no need to have the original post there in all of its
"glory" over and over again.

Tyro. your underwater practice is a good thing. Part of your problem is that
you don't trust the water to hold you up. That is why experienced swimmers
don't panic. That is what allows back stroke swimmers to lay their heads
back on the water and relax their necks. Trust only comes with practice.

Pat in TX

Quoted message said:

Hello Pat,

I will take care of the post length. No point in repeating the earlier
posts.

But once again thanks to MLWs tip on "treading" in the water. I saw
lot of people do it but I thought they gain some kind of equilibrium
to do this. I will surely try this.

Tyro

Quoted message said:

But once again thanks to MLWs tip on "treading" in the water. I saw
lot of people do it but I thought they gain some kind of equilibrium
to do this. I will surely try this.

Also learn the Dead Man's Float, which is the typical prerequisite to
learning to tread water.