Learning How to Swim: The Basics

Have you always wanted to learn how to swim but were afraid to take
the step?  Are you bored with sitting on the sidelines while the rest of
your family has a blast in the pool?  If so, you can and should
learn to swim.  It's not only a fun thing to do - it's a safe thing
to do.  Everyone's around water from time to time.  Knowing how to
swim could literally save your life or someone else's life if a
water accident were to occur.

If you're ready to take that first step toward learning to swim,
read the tips below to help you get started.

Swimming and Safety

While learning to swim (and even after you learn), there are some
basic universal safety rules you should follow every time you enter
water.  Rules aren't designed to ruin everyone's fun, but to
protect swimmers as they have fun.

Below are some of the most basic safety rules to get you started:

1.  Swim in Clear Water

You should know how deep the water is before entering.  A clear
water pool is necessary when learning because one slip into a deep
drop-off of a river bed is simply too dangerous for a beginner.  
You should be able to keep your head above water comfortably while
learning.

2.  Wear a Life Jacket

Even though it can be uncomfortable, a life jacket will enable you
to adjust to the water safely.  You'll be able to gain confidence
more quickly as you learn swimming maneuvers.  Practice makes
perfect.  Wearing a life jacket allows you to "practice" with less
stress and anxiety.

3.  Hire a Skilled Instructor

You'll benefit tremendously by hiring a skilled instructor to teach
you how to swim.  An instructor can teach objectively and safely.  
Certified swimming instructors must go through training themselves
to become certified.  This benefits you because you're in the care
of someone who knows how to handle swimming dangers or emergencies.

Learning Swim Strokes and Movements

Below are some quick tips that reveal some of the swimming strokes
and movements you'll be learning.  The purpose of this list is not
to replace learning from an instructor, but only to enable you to
prepare and even practice the movements before taking your first
lesson.  Your swimming lesson will go much smoother if you know
what to expect.

Posture

Your posture will be important while swimming.  Your body will be
in a horizontal position.  You should keep your head and arms in
alignment with the remainder of your body to accomplish a smooth
swim and keep good balance.

Arm Strokes

Arm strokes are performed to move the body forward.  The more arm
strokes you do, the quicker you'll become tired.  Try to get the
most distance from each arm stroke to minimize time and fatigue.  
Arm strokes will improve over time although it might be a little
awkward in the beginning.

Leg Strokes

Just as your arm strokes act as a pulling method, your leg strokes
push you forward.  The arms and legs work together to create the
swimming motion.

Breathing While Swimming

Proper breathing is probably the most important thing when
swimming.  You should practice holding your breath above water, and
then also practice below water once you feel confident.  Breathe in
before you go under water, hold your breath while under the water,
and then exhale as you bring your head and body back up.  When
swimming under water, you'll exhale as you begin to swim forward.  
Doing this mobilizes you under the water.  As you become a more
experienced swimmer you might be able to hold your breath longer or
stay under the water longer as you swim.

Warning:  Never hold your breath beyond what you feel you can
handle or put yourself in a situation under water that causes you
to hold your breath too long. This is life threatening.  

You must walk before you can run just as you'll do very simple swim
techniques in the beginning.  Don't try to accomplish complicated
swim methods until you feel comfortable with the basics.  Diving,
swimming backwards, swimming under water and goofing off with your
family in the water will each come with time.  Take it slow, and
don't expect to be a champion swimmer after just a few lessons.

Swimming can be fun and safe if you follow the basic safety
precautions.  It's also great exercise!  Use the tips above to
prepare for your swimming lessons, and you'll be swimming solo
soon.

Written by Candice Pardue