Why can't I sink in water/stay down if I dive, even if I have no air left in my lungs?

Question

It is impossible for me to stay under water or dive to the bottom of a pool, no matter what I do or how hard I try. If someone tries to hold me down, the person must use excessive force. I pop up to the surface like a cork and floats there, sometimes on my back, sometimes on my stomach. My weight is normal and we would like to know why I am like this, while all my friends can dive and sinks to the bottom if they blow out all the air in their lungs?

Answer 1

Some people are just naturally more bouyant than others. Some people couldn't float if their life dependen on it. Even if you are of normal weight, It's probably got something to do with your body composition.

Answer 2

The less oxegen you have in your lungs, the farther you go down. If you take a huge breath before goin under you will pop right backup. Try taking a little less air?

Answer 3

As the others have said, fat is indeed more buoyant than muscle, and seeing as your name is Anne-Marie I'm going to guess that you are a woman, and women typically have a higher body fat to muscle ratio than men. I've known many very fit females who could not sink, but not nearly as many men.

Answer 4

You need to also consider your body fat content. Fat does float and being a former swimmer there have been times that I felt less buoyant than others and it depends on your body composition

Answer 5

because even thought you think you have no air in your lungs,you still do...and don't forget the oxygen in your blood

Answer 6

No offense intended but, fat floats. That might have something to do with it if you're fat.

Answer 7

youre just what we call a floater in the business