To swim underwater in a pool, you need to stay neutrally buoyant or negatively buoyant; this can be achieved by controlling your breath and, at deeper depths (5-6 meters), the compression of air in your lungs naturally helps you stay submerged.
Here's a breakdown of the key elements:
-
Neutral Buoyancy: Ideally, you want to be neutrally buoyant. This means you neither sink nor float. You achieve this by controlling the amount of air in your lungs.
-
Breathing Control:
- Take a normal breath. Don't over-inflate your lungs, as this will make you more buoyant.
- Exhale slightly if you find yourself floating upwards.
- Hold your breath and propel yourself forward with your arms and legs.
-
Body Position:
- Streamline your body to reduce drag. Keep your arms extended in front of you, close to your head.
- Point your toes to further reduce resistance.
-
Propulsion:
- Use a flutter kick, breaststroke kick, or dolphin kick for propulsion. Choose the style you are most comfortable with.
- Use your arms to pull yourself through the water, coordinating with your leg movements.
-
Deeper Depths (5-6 meters): At these depths, the air in your lungs becomes compressed due to the water pressure, which naturally increases your density and helps you stay underwater.
Important Considerations:
- Never hyperventilate before swimming underwater. This can be extremely dangerous and lead to shallow water blackout.
- Swim with a buddy. This is crucial for safety.
- Be aware of your limits. Don't push yourself too hard, especially when holding your breath.
- Practice in a safe environment. Start in shallow water and gradually increase the depth as you become more comfortable.
By controlling your breathing, streamlining your body, and using proper propulsion techniques, you can effectively swim underwater in a pool.
