For my final try, I attempted to keep my head above the surface by kicking my feet and sculling with my hands and arms. I didn't utilize my breathing to control my buoyancy, but simply breathed as needed to support the level of physical activity in which I was engaged. I didn't do this in "frantic mode" but did try to move with the same level of vigor with which we see the typical OW student conduct their tread. I was completly surprised at how very strenuous - and largely innefective - this approach was in keeping my head above water. And, it got worse as time went on. As I started to get fatigued my breathing became labored, my kicking and sculling became less effective, and I had to work harder at keeping my head above water and/or hold my breath briefly as my mouth/nose ocassionaly dipped under the surface. It was a vicious cycle. Completing the task was not impossible, but I was genuinely glad when the 10min was up. This approach was not only much harder than either of the other two, and not only far less effective at keeping my head abover water... it actually seemed to pull me UNDER the water as much as it kept me above the water.
Ray
