How to Tread Water
Treading water is an important skill every family member should master to prepare for any activity that involves a pool, pond, lake or the beach. By treading water, you’ll be able to keep your head above water for prolonged periods and stay safe at all times.
Gain confidence in the water.
Forget about the strokes that Michael Phelps is famous for. Treading water is very different from being able to do the butterfly or freestyle. You need the proper co-ordination of your arms and legs and the appropriate body positioning.
Once you are proficient in treading water, you will have enough confidence and knowledge of how to conserve energy. Since you know how to keep your body upright and your head above water properly, you will not panic and be able to evaluate your situation, especially when disaster strikes.
Ask the help of a qualified swimmer.
This water skill should be mastered under the guidance of a life guard, water safety instructor or a grown-up who is mature enough to teach you about water treading. Practice in water that is chest deep first with the instructor, pool wall or a safety flotation device nearby. You can go deeper into the water to practice as you go along, but make sure you have your instructor by your side at all times.
Learn the basics.
Under the close supervision of an instructor, submerge yourself in the water. Make medium sized circles in the water by moving your arms and forcing your head to stay above the water.
Stay relaxed by kicking your legs back and forth gently. If you want, you can also move your legs in a bicycle peddling motion. Do not make any unnecessary movements since you will just waste energy.
Practice in a shallow pool first and you will soon realize that this swimming skill can be effortless. You can learn to float on your back also to save more energy in the future.
Try the eggbeater kick.
Doing the eggbeater kick requires the swimmer to be in a “sitting position” in the water. Your back must be straight and knees bent with your thighs parallel to the surface of the water. You lower legs should be perpendicular to the surface.
Make a clockwise motion using your left foot while your right leg does a counterclockwise motion towards the axis of the body. Make sure that your legs never meet. The eggbeater kick is useful especially if the body is angled. Since the legs are going opposite directions, you can tread water smoothly.
Lifeguards and other rescue team members usually employ this technique since it allows the hands to be used in other ways such as when they are performing first aid while swimming to safety.
Protect yourself against drowning by mastering this simple water technique. The life you save may be your own.