Back Float

There are only four known stokes in swimming: the crawl or freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and the butterfly.  Knowing any of the four would at least arm you with a surviving skill when you are in the water.  Unfortunately, what would happen if you would get cramps while swimming?

Two weeks ago, a housemate joined me in my swimming workout.  I was expecting that he knows how to swim because he was very eager to come with me.  Indeed, he does with a little crudeness.  I shared several pointers especially how to synchronize his arms and legs.  Luckily, the housemate is a fast learner and he was able to get the tip.  I allowed him to practice so I can proceed with my laps.

When I was swimming back, I noticed him hanging on to a line buoy in the middle of the 50-meter pool.  I thought he was just resting but when I called him to join me, he said that he panicked when he realized he could not reach the pool’s floor.  We laughed and told him that he should have swim from the deepest part of the pool to the shallowest.  Absorbing another tip from me, he resumed to swim.  I was watching him if he has polished his stroke.  Suddenly, he stopped and stood.  “Coach, I got cramps!”  He exclaimed.

What would happen if he got cramps in the middle of the pool where he could not touch the floor?  That would be a disaster.  He would surely panic and get himself drown.  I pulled him out of the water and fixed the muscle cramp.  I asked him if he knows how to “back float”.  He doesn’t, so I demonstrated it to him.  I told him that it is one way of surviving a cramp while in the water.  “I’ll teach you.”  I told him.

I know how to back float since I was a kid.  Living near the sea taught me how to survive in the water.  I nearly drowned because of it too but it did not make me fear the water.  It challenged me even more.  I learned how to back float while watching others and I did not learn it on first try.  Drinking seawater was enough negative reinforcement to learn fast.
 
It is very easy to back float.  All you need to do is to lie down on the water.  Hooopss, not just lie down on your back.  It is all on the position of your head.  First, stand straight.  Yes, inside the pool, silly.  Raise your head looking at the sky.  Then submerge your whole body slowly down to the neck.  Your head should always above water.  Once the back of your head touches the water, push your pelvis up with your legs.  Maintain the position of your head until it levels with your torso and crotch.  Your legs may still be underneath but don’t worry, maintain the position until you can feel that you are floating.

Once floating, water would sometimes get to the level of your face.  Again, do not panic!  Stay on your position and breathe on your mouth, nose or whichever is available for use.  SOP however always makes use of the mouth when in the water.  Always relax your body and you can extend both of your hands to balance yourself.  You may extend your legs even.  Once you are already comfortable with the float, you can already move yourself on the water.

My housemate diligently followed my instructions.  At first try, he only floated for several seconds and then sank.  He had difficulty in maintaining his balance and focus.  I even helped him by putting my hand under his lower back but every time I removed my hand, he would sink.  I guess it would take several sessions before he could master it.

Next lesson, treading.