Water Comfort: Skills and Techniques R

SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES R
Water Comfort
The most basic and essential swimming skill is simply becoming comfortable in the water.
Although humans are born with innate water skills, many people develop a fear of the water.
When unintentional submersion occurs, panicking gets in the way of logical thinking and
increases the likelihood of drowning. To become more comfortable in the water, spend time in a
shallow pool or wading in the ocean. Never enter the water alone, especially if you are not a
strong swimmer.
Breath Control
Breathing is often difficult for novice swimmers. With water all around, having some water enter
the nose and mouth is a common occurrence. Some novice swimmers panic at the feeling of
water in their noses, while others have trouble holding their breath while submerged. Learning to
control your breathing is a key component in learning to swim.
Breath control begins with simple exercises such as drawing a breath, submerging, blowing
bubbles and then resurfacing for another breath. As your swimming skills improve, you will
learn specific breathing techniques for different strokes. Work with a swimming coach or a
friend or relative who is a strong swimmer.
Floating
Floating, or keeping your body in a horizontal position in the water, is a basic water skill. If you
accidentally fall in the water, you may be able to float until you are rescued, even if you are not
strong enough to swim to safety. Humans are naturally buoyant, and floating is not difficult. Like
any other skill, however, floating does require a bit of technique. Get lessons from a coach or a
competent friend or relative.
Kicking
Kicking provides propulsion through the water. Once you are comfortable with floating, kicking
is the logical next step. Kicking is also used in treading water, which is the process of remaining
in one place while keeping your head above the water line. Many coaches use kickboards, or flat
flotation devices made of foam or plastic, to support the swimmer’s body. A kickboard allows
you to focus solely on your kicking technique without worrying about staying afloat.
Strokes
Strokes are the arm movements used to pull the body through the water. The front crawl,
sidestroke, breast stroke, backstroke and butterfly are the five most common swimming strokes.
Each stoke uses different body positioning, breathing techniques and arm movements. Training
with a qualified swimming coach is the best way to learn the various strokes.
SAFETY AND SANITATION
Healthy Swimming Behaviors
Although chlorine and other disinfectants are an effective way to kill germs found
in recreational water, they do not work instantly. Despite the use of disinfectants,
many people have become sick with recreational water illnesses (RWIs), which are
caused by germs spread by swallowing, breathing in mists or aerosols of, or
having contact with contaminated water from swimming pools, hot tubs/spas,
lakes, rivers, or oceans. RWIs include gastrointestinal, skin, ear, respiratory, eye,
neurologic, and wound infections. The most commonly reported RWI is diarrhea,
caused by germs like Cryptosporidium (“Crypto”) and E. coli 0157:H7.
In the past two decades, there has been an increase in the number of RWI
outbreaks. Remember, chlorine and other disinfectants don’t kill germs instantly.
Additionally, the mixing of chlorine with pee and sweat uses up the chlorine in
the pool, which would otherwise kill germs.
We all share the water we swim in, and each us needs to do our part to help keep
ourselves, our families, and our friends healthy. You can help prevent the spread
of germs that cause RWIs by learning more about Swimmer Protection.
To help protect yourself and other swimmers from germs, here are a few easy
and effective steps all swimmers can take each time we swim:
Keep the pee, poop, sweat, and dirt out of the water!
 Stay out of the water if you have diarrhea.

 Shower before you get in the water.
 Don’t pee or poop in the water.
 Don’t swallow the water.
Every hour—everyone out!
 Take kids on bathroom breaks.

 Check diapers, and change them in a bathroom or diaper-changing area–
not poolside–to keep germs away from the pool.
 Reapply sunscreen.
 Drink plenty of fluids.
Check the free chlorine level and pH before getting into the water.
 Pools: Proper free chlorine level (1–3 mg/L or parts per million [ppm]) and
pH (7.2–7.8) maximize germ-killing power.
 Hot tubs/spas: Proper disinfectant level (chlorine [2–4 parts per million or
ppm] or bromine [4–6 ppm] and pH [7.2–7.8]) maximize germ-killing
power.
 Most superstores, hardware stores, and pool-supply stores sell pool test
strips.
RRULES AND REGULATIONS
Rules and Regulations in

Swimming Halls
Be sure to always follow the current rules and regulations and the staff's instructions, as well as
maintaining cleanliness and good manners. This is to ensure that everyone can train and
practise safely and without disturbances.
 Non-swimmers and children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult who is able to
swim.
 The minimum age for using the gym is 15.
 Please take a proper shower before swimming. Remove your swimwear when going to the sauna or
taking a shower.
 Rinse your hair or wear a swimming cap. Long hair must be tied back.
 Swimwear must be made of proper swimwear fabric.
 When swimming in the pool, always swim lengthwise. Do not jump into the pool from the deck.
 Free diving is not allowed (dives of over 25 metres, series of long dives and holding one’s breath
underwater).
 Please return all water exercise equipment to their designated places.
 Outdoor footwear is not allowed inside the shower rooms, saunas or the pool area.
 Foodstuff and breakable beverage or soap containers are not allowed inside the dressing rooms,
shower rooms or the pool area.
 Intoxicated persons are not allowed inside the swimming hall.
 Photographing is forbidden in the toilets, saunas, washing facilities and dressing rooms. We also
discourage photographing in any of the other facilities.
REFERENCES:
https://woman.thenest.com/five-basic-skills-swimming-3049.html
https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/hygiene/swimming/index.html
https://www.turku.fi/en/culture-and-sports/sports/sports-facilities/indoor-swimming-pools/rules-and-
regulations-swimming

Water Comfort: Skills and Techniques R

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Water Comfort: Skills and Techniques R

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Water Comfort: Skills and Techniques R

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES R

SAFETY AND SANITATION

Healthy Swimming Behaviors

 Stay out of the water if you have diarrhea.

Every hour—everyone out!

 Take kids on bathroom breaks.

RRULES AND REGULATIONS

Rules and Regulations in

You might also like