Make sure to get a really good push off the wall - and stay streamlined, that'll cover a good bit of it. I can cover at least 10 yards in that initial push. Use a frog kick, not like freestyle, and be efficient, not fast. Wear googles, for sure.
25 yard UW swim
- Thread starter Armymutt25A
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We could wear goggles (even big ones) for the PADI swim test. I don't mind salt water in my eyes at all, but that chlorine..ooo).The validity of an UW breat hold swim is (IMO) something that could be debated on SB endlessly. I was the culprit in the PADI swim test debate. The UW swim is probably just a requirement someone thought up and you just have to figure out a way to do it.
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I'm sorry, but if you're going "pro," we need to be blunt.
If have second thoughts about a 25 yard U/W swim you need to have second thoughts about your comfort in the water and your readiness to go "pro."
If have second thoughts about a 25 yard U/W swim you need to have second thoughts about your comfort in the water and your readiness to go "pro."
OP
It's not so much second thoughts about the swim or comfort in the water. It's more about the theory behind the practice and how it relates to actual diving. My problem is in holding my breath. The longest I've had to hold my breath in the past 10 years is 9 seconds
This morning I tried swimming with goggles. I was able to make it about 55 ft. One thing I noticed is that I don't glide worth a damn. I also stop forward motion shortly after each stroke. Might be the parachute-like Army PT shorts I'm wearing, but no choice in that matter. I have no idea if there is a technical name for how I'm swimming, besides ugly, but I basically push my arms out front, then sweep to the sides and back. So far, the frog kick seems the best, but synching it with my arms is eluding me. Maybe I need to starting holding my breath during the day.
This morning I tried swimming with goggles. I was able to make it about 55 ft. One thing I noticed is that I don't glide worth a damn. I also stop forward motion shortly after each stroke. Might be the parachute-like Army PT shorts I'm wearing, but no choice in that matter. I have no idea if there is a technical name for how I'm swimming, besides ugly, but I basically push my arms out front, then sweep to the sides and back. So far, the frog kick seems the best, but synching it with my arms is eluding me. Maybe I need to starting holding my breath during the day.
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The glide is important. But then so is the breath hold.
Relaxation, confidence and basic comfort in the water are critical. Assuming that you are a comfortable and confident swimmer (if not, then I recommend some swimming instruction) a free diving class where you learn some basic breathing techniques will make this a very easy exercise. Here's something that you can try with a buddy:
Here’s the routine: You need to learn a modified yoga breathing, that is to say instead of tensely stuffing air up to the top of the lungs, empty the lungs by exhaling steadily for five or more seconds, the let the lungs fill comfortably and take them gently to the top … slow and easy.
What's the problem with the way most divers breathe? Their breathing is neither deep enough nor slow enough; it’s all up top and rapid, kind of like panting. While they likely take in enough oxygen they do not eliminating enough carbon dioxide. Shallow rapid breathing also does not move the diaphragm and intercostals enough and muscle memory adds to the push to gulp another breath.
Floating face down, take 5 breaths (empty, gentle fill ‘till comfortable, full but not packed, breathing from the diaphragm and stomach, do not hyperventilate, don't breathe fast, breathe slow, don't breathe high, breathe low) through your snorkel and then hold your breath for 10 seconds focusing on your watch. During the last five seconds your buddy counts down, “five, four, three, two, one, breathe,” and you come up and take a big, empty the lung first breath.
While you recover your buddy does the same thing. Repeat the process with a hold of 20 seconds, then 30 seconds, then 45 seconds, then 60 seconds, then every 15 seconds out to 2 minutes. Do not take it farther than 2 ½ minutes. Your buddy should be gently talking to you, encouraging you, and telling you how much time is left at reasonable intervals. It is critical that in between each set you fully recover. Immediately before you start each breath hold set, you must take the five breaths, but be sure that you don’t try and pack it up full, that will just makes you tense. Work with your buddy and concentrate and getting as relaxed as possible.
We do this exercise, out to two minutes at the beginning of every pool and open water session.
Try it yourself (remember you need a buddy), let us know what you find out.
Relaxation, confidence and basic comfort in the water are critical. Assuming that you are a comfortable and confident swimmer (if not, then I recommend some swimming instruction) a free diving class where you learn some basic breathing techniques will make this a very easy exercise. Here's something that you can try with a buddy:
Here’s the routine: You need to learn a modified yoga breathing, that is to say instead of tensely stuffing air up to the top of the lungs, empty the lungs by exhaling steadily for five or more seconds, the let the lungs fill comfortably and take them gently to the top … slow and easy.
What's the problem with the way most divers breathe? Their breathing is neither deep enough nor slow enough; it’s all up top and rapid, kind of like panting. While they likely take in enough oxygen they do not eliminating enough carbon dioxide. Shallow rapid breathing also does not move the diaphragm and intercostals enough and muscle memory adds to the push to gulp another breath.
Floating face down, take 5 breaths (empty, gentle fill ‘till comfortable, full but not packed, breathing from the diaphragm and stomach, do not hyperventilate, don't breathe fast, breathe slow, don't breathe high, breathe low) through your snorkel and then hold your breath for 10 seconds focusing on your watch. During the last five seconds your buddy counts down, “five, four, three, two, one, breathe,” and you come up and take a big, empty the lung first breath.
While you recover your buddy does the same thing. Repeat the process with a hold of 20 seconds, then 30 seconds, then 45 seconds, then 60 seconds, then every 15 seconds out to 2 minutes. Do not take it farther than 2 ½ minutes. Your buddy should be gently talking to you, encouraging you, and telling you how much time is left at reasonable intervals. It is critical that in between each set you fully recover. Immediately before you start each breath hold set, you must take the five breaths, but be sure that you don’t try and pack it up full, that will just makes you tense. Work with your buddy and concentrate and getting as relaxed as possible.
We do this exercise, out to two minutes at the beginning of every pool and open water session.
Try it yourself (remember you need a buddy), let us know what you find out.
Thanks Thal. This going in my class supplement pack to OW divers.
OP
I'm a little short on snorkles here, but I'll figure out some modification to this for the next month and a half.
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