This is a great topic for me because I could not swim underwater without holding onto my nose or utilizing a nose plug. Even with that, I had never attempted to remain underwater for any particular distance or amount of time.
My brothers used to hold me under the water in our pool when I was very young and delighted in hearing me scream, knowing I'd get out of the pool never to return (at least for that day.)
When I was about 18 yrs I had a boyfriend who liked the water and I tried to learn to put my face under while holding my breath...cheeks puffed, eyes popping out...I managed to get my nose wet.
Then, I figured...well, if I can learn to get my face wet in the shower (yeah...it was that bad.) But...I did it, eventually. Ok....now I can get my face wet in the shower...so what!
My involvement in diving was almost a compulsive action on my part. Because of my marital situation at the time (or impending lack of...); I was forced to sell the horses I so dearly loved and had spent most of my time with. I had a huge void and needed to fill it with something other than another person. I signed up for OW classes, and informed the instructor at the time about my underwater problems. Very softly he told me..."we'll get you through it...not a problem."
First night at the pool we're in the water and lined up along the edge of the pool. I'm second in line. The "new" instructor, teaching his first class, looks at the first person points to a mark and tells her..."I need you to swim underwater (on one breath) to here. GO!!!" Off she went. Here I am saying "wait, Steve said you'd help me with this...etc., etc.," and the instructor smiles and says "I am...GO!!!!" I went. I came up for air once, coughing and sputtering took another breath and finished. "Great...by the end of the class you'll do your skin dive just fine." That's all he had to say and then went on to number 3 in line. I had water up my nose, it burned so badly. I had water in my eyes, I was coughing and I was miserable. If it wasn't for my stubborn streak to succeed, I would not have gone. If I had known that's how my first night in the pool was going to be I wouldn't have signed up. Once my instructors saw in that initial swim that I was determined and willing to do what needed to be done, they gave me all the time and attention I needed to get through, and beyond OW.
Now, I'm getting ready for my Rescue class so what have I been doing in between then and now?
These are the things I've done, and the things I've learned:
1. If you take a huge breath initially you have an immediate urge to let it out almost as soon as you submerge because of the change in pressure...even close to the surface.
2. That huge breath initially will also make you more bouyant, you'll be fighting to stay under even though at this point you're not realizing that's what happening because you haven't experienced enough bouyancy problems to recognize it directly.
3. That huge breath is also like a ritual before approaching impending doom...you're preparing yourself for failure.
SOLUTION: Take a small or normal breath before submerging, it will be easier to hold, you'll submerge effortlessly, you won't feel such a tremendous need to exhale immediately, and you'll be much more relaxed in the water.
4. Holding your breath is wrong and bad for you. I'm not sure if it's an anneurism or embolism that it can cause, but it's one of those.
5. Hip Shot mentioned that it's the carbon dioxide build up that makes us want to breathe. He's not the only person that's heard that.
SOLUTION: Firstly, there should always be a tiny tiny stream of bubbles coming from your mouth or your nose depending on what makes you comfortable. Second, we're taught to exercise and perform physical tasks aerobically - taking in lots of air at routine intervals. Teach yourself to perform anaerobically, by doing just what Hip Shot mentioned...when you feel the need to inhale, exhale a little bit...just a little, and then do it again if you can before you breath in. When you do breath in, don't take a huge breath, take a normal breath. Your muscles will have plenty of oxygen to do what they need to do, and you'll be training yourself to perform anaerobically which will allow you to swim longer distances underwater eventually. Do it when you're vacuuming your house, when you're mowing the lawn, at the gym, or whatever. It will become a more natural way of breathing while your body is in motion.
6. Position in the water...the deeper you go, the more pressure and the less air you have due to compression. But eventually, you'll need to be able to swim diagonally or straight down.
7. Water gets in your nose and it burns.
SOLUTION: From a standing position, put your arms out in front of you (I like mine hands to touch like a point, and have found it best to point them down toward the water a little...just a little), tilt your head to it's inline with your arms and hands, invision yourself swimming parallel to the surface about 2 feet below, take that normal breath, and push off. Don't stroke and kick furiously...stroke and kick slow and deliberately, resting comfortably knowing that you can surface easily anytime you need to. (Sometimes I end up about 4 feet down instead of 2 feet and bump the bottom of the kiddie swim area at the lake. I'm getting to where I know it's going to happen before it does because I can now feel the subtle change in pressure. You should be able to wear swim goggles (not your make), but goggles to practice so you can see where you're going.)
Remember...a steady but tiny stream of bubbles need to come from your nose or your mouth. If you're not good at just closing off your nasal passages and letting the air out your nose, then I suggest you push then out your nose. I have found for me, it's easier if I let it out my mouth. I do get a little water in my nose, but after the first time the burning tends to subside and it's no longer a problem.
I'm still having a hard time going straight down, but I can do it. Something happens when I come up and my nose floods with water. I haven't figured it out yet, but I will.
8. How do I get the distance?
SOLUTION: I have increased my distance with the following routine, BUT you especially, need to have someone present when you practice this because of the hyperventilating thing. SFRET taught me this: Take three breaths, deep and fast like you're hyperventilating; on the fourth take a normal breath, hold it and dive. This builds up oxygen, but will also build up carbon dioxide, so you must be proficient at letting out, letting out, and letting out. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO LEARN THIS ALONE! There is a risk of passing out for anyone who is learning this technique, but probably more of a risk for you.
You've now a lot of things to practice before your OW class. I had to make a commitment to practice as often as possible. I went to the lake 3 or 4 times a week and practiced in the public swim area with little kids splashing all around me. As soon as the water warms, I'll be back at it - I've still a long way to go.
Best of luck to you Caetlonn; I know you can do it!
Edited by Twinklez, 24 December 2005 - 09:37 AM.
) underwater swim. 
How does one position oneself within the water and maintain that position as opposed to swimming on the surface? 
(I enquired at my pool about private lessons specifically for this but what was told that unless I can do 2 laps (50M) of the front crawl, there's no point in trying to learn underwater swimming.)
