How to float to avoid drowning

Lie on your back and keep your chin above the water. Steadily flapping legs and arms/hands to achieve that balance.Try to stay calm.
 
I taught Mrs B this before, having accidently discovered how to do it myself. Neither of us are strong swimmers. Not only is it a really good technique in case you get into trouble, it's also incredibly relaxing on a nice day! :cool:
 
I completely missed the fact there was a link in the OP. Yes floating is a really good skill. You can also move doing it, so if perchance you go overboard at sea you can aim for land/boat/buoy in the distance without expending a lot of energy. The best way to learn it is in a swimming pool. Shallow end so you feel secure initially. I thought my husband this way, holding his lower back up when he dipped so he would gain confidence. All children should be taught to swim.
 
It’s actually really hard to teach to kids, mine are still too skinny to float well, great little swimmers but also sink pretty quickly without treading water quite hard. One of the few things you naturally get a lot better at as you age
 
Learning to float in water takes a lot of trust in yourself and in the person teaching you the skill. But, once you get into the habit of floating, there's almost nothing to it. But, take the matter seriously, dismiss criticism etc. You can do it!

Lie back in the water extending your legs and arms. Look towards the sky. Flap your feet and hands if you wish and perhaps this will keep you more comfortable and confident. Try not to get over anxious, relax as best you can. Have some confidence and (again) trust yourself. If at first you don't succeed, keep trying.

Confidence Builder:- Think about all the plonkers you know who can float easily - if they can do it, so can you.

Best of Luck.
 
Apologies, I meant to come back to this subject earlier, but it slipped my mind. I use a communal swimming pool everyday and recently I paid special attention to floating rather than swimming.

When you have the confidence to place the back of your head into the water all you need to do is "gather" water towards you continually with your hands. Be aware that you are using your elbows too. It doesn't matter which way your legs/feet are placed you will float backwards. It's as easy as that. And now you're half way to learning the front crawl. Use of elbows is important, just be aware.

Alternatively, when you have entered the water, lie back put your hands on your hips and use your legs in a continuous cycling mode. I tried this just a few minutes ago.

Point-of-Information:- It took me over 70 years to learn the front crawl swimming technique. I did this during the worst of Covid when I had a hotel swimming pool nearly all to myself. I had the occasional lost of direction etc, but lessons from YouTube helped me along every day. I can do unlimited swimming (front crawl/breast-stroke) since. It takes perseverance and the knowledge that if every Tom Dick and Harry can do it, so can you.
 
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Leper said:
It took me over 70 years to learn the front crawl swimming technique. I did this during the worst of Covid when I had a hotel swimming pool nearly all to myself. I had the occasional lost of direction etc, but lessons from YouTube helped me along every day.
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How did you keep the phone from getting wet?
 
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