You can swim with one hand

[MegaCarp]

So, yes...I can only count to 5 on my fingers...lets just get that out of the way. Thats really the minor part, but the big part is swimming. Deep water and I have a very very deep hatred for one another...it tries to make me sink...I try very hard to kill it with total body tensing as it seems fire does not do well in water. 

 

So Saturday my Crossfit box had a swimming clinic. Real good for a guy to go to who can't swim and really hates water. So..I go, and got to work with one of our other athletes who probably quickly realized I'm 'no bueno' in the water because they loaded me up on noodles. So as we worked on the whole 'kicking' thing, I got out past half way and noticed as I tried to turn that the bottom disappeared. This created an instant panic, but I was determined to not be crushed by this and worked my way back. Eventually with the noodles under me I was able to essentially doggy paddle. I still get very tense when in the water and I tend to overlook that whole breathing thing (who has time for breathing when unassailable water is all around you) I'm hoping to go back and maybe get closer to true swimming, but i might ask my bud if shes willing to teach me on the side so I'm not burning up their clinic time. 

[Slayer]

Wow--way to face your fears! Major kudos!

[Nater]

Good job for facing your fears and getting in the water!

Tense muscles actually make you sink easier. If you keep trying with the noodles, it will get easier as you get comfortable enough to relax. When you kick to keep afloat your first instinct might be to flutter kick, this will just make you tired. Some instructors might teach to tread water using a kick like you are riding a bicycle. This is more efficient, but there is a better way still. Kicking your feet wider to the side and then down will keep your head high above the water without needing to use your hands. It does take practice to master this technique, but it really works. In previous lifeguard training, we had to master treading water without using your hands and while holding bricks above our heads. The reason was to be able to secure a victim/patient with a spinal injury until more help for a stable rescue arrives.

I am probably not explaining it too well, but perhaps someone can show you in the pool. It is possible to tread water without hands or using one arm!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eggbeater_kick

[girljen]

YEAH!  Good for you!  Swimming is a great way to increase your life expectancy, and it also means that you can go on water slides.  That alone makes it worth it.

 

Keep getting in the water, and ask your friend to teach you to swim.  The worst she'll do is give you a straight-up no, but I highly doubt that'll happen.  Maybe she'll say yes.  Maybe she'll refer you to a swim class or a different instructor.  No matter what happens, keep at it!

[Burnet Bramblerose]

Woo hoo! I have a suggestion for the deep water fear and the breathing thing: learn to float on your back.

 

You can even start by sitting on the pool steps up to your neck and just experimenting with it. But if you have your lungs full of air you can relax your limbs pretty well and still stay face-up. This way if you do scare yourself by getting tired when you're swimming over the deep end you can roll over and rest rather than flailing.