Water Survival Skills 

May 1, 2020

Written By: Karen Stadtmueller

There’s nothing wrong with taking a break from swimming. Whether it be beyond your control for instance, when the fitness center you adore is closed, or for personal reasons such as injury or fatigue, it is important when you return to the swimming pool or body of water to practice survival skills. “Survival Skills” are tips, strokes, and breathing techniques that contribute to safety while swimming. I’m going to break down my top 5 survival skills to keep in mind when you start swimming after a break.

1. Swim With a Buddy 

This rule is important to every swimmer, at every age, in every body of water. Swimming alone is not a good idea, especially if you’ve taken a recent break. When we swim we are exercising our muscles, our heart, and our respiratory system even when we don’t realize. Always work out with a buddy or with proper supervision. Plus, swimming with a friend is much more fun than swimming by yourself!

1. Don’t Just Pack It Wear Your Jacket 

Before getting in a boat always secure your life jacket. Whatever body of water you're on besides a cruise ship a lifejacket is mandatory! Wearing a lifejacket reduces the chances of drowning by an astronomical amount. Remember to wear your life jacket and encourage your friends to wear theirs, it could save their life.

1. Elementary Backstroke

Finally, a stroke! I’m sure once we all see each other again we will have lap lanes full of swimmers ready to fly from wall to wall. When returning to lap-swimming, pace is important. When you swim EB, keep your body moving by focusing on a strong glide while relaxing the lungs and catching your breath. Remember to sub in a relaxing lap of Elementary Backstroke or “Tickle- T- Snap” to ace your pace!

1. Treading Water

If you ask me, I’d say that treading water is without question, the most important survival skill to learn. When  swimmers tread water, they keep their body in an upright position, head and shoulders completely out of the water while moving arms and legs simultaneously without making forward progress. In simpler terms, you keep your head dry while staying in one spot in the pool where you can not touch the floor. Many people tread water in the ocean without recognizing it. Want to tread stronger and longer? Alternate treading using arms only then legs only.

1. Too Much Sun is No Fun

Sunblock. Sunblock. SUNBLOCK! Everyone should be wearing something with SPF in it every day. A day at the beach, an afternoon in the city, a snow day; wear a lotion or a sunblock to protect your skin! 

Want to learn more safety skills? Check out Longfellow’s Whale Tales brought to you by the American Red Cross!