Lesson #5 - How to Float on Your Back

Welcome once again everyone! Today we're gonna learn a quite simple technique called floating on your back. This is a very comfortable and stable position if you are able to let yourself relax. This is also the position that most water safety experts suggest that you go in if you are having any trouble in the water, and therefore this is a vital skill when it comes to swimming.

Firstly, you'll most likely want to have a friend to help you out with this; it will make it a lot easier. You'll first want to get in the pool and preferably stay in the shallow end, where the water is low enough that you can stand up with your head completely out of the water. Next, you are going to try and lie back, with your friend/partner holding the back of your head. You can keep your feet on the bottom of the pool for this part.

So now that your head is in your friend's hands, you know that your face is never going to go under the water so you do not need to worry - you now have stability. Next, ask your friend to walk backwards, pulling you gently by your head. You should feel your body start to rise in the water due to the movement. Your feet will start to come off of the bottom of the pool - but don't worry! Your trustworthy friend will ensure that your face stays out of the water at all times.

Now here is what most consider to be the tricky part. You're probably asking "Okay, I feel my body starting to rise, but it keeps sinking. How do I actually stay afloat in the water?" The answer is quite simple. Air floats in the water, therefore you want to take a deep breath and hold it. This may take practice if your lung capacity is not up to par. However, you should at least be able to hold your breath for about 10 seconds. Also, you will want to wade your hands back and forth, putting pressure on the water which will help you stay higher in the water.

This is something that takes a lot of practice. The more you do it, the more comfortable you will become until one day you won't even need your friend to be there. The best advice I can give you is to not give up - your body needs time to get used to this technique!

Hope you enjoyed, and make sure to stay tuned for more!