How do swimmers avoid holding their nose underwater?

Question

I'm learning to swim, I started last week and I wear goggles like most swimmers since its impossible to see under water without them, but somehow people are swimming and going underwater and they DONT HOLD THEIR NOSE.. But they don't have anything plugging their nose holes either.. how is it even possible? Its not fair that I swim laps and can only use one arm.. so my swimming is very slow.

I knew it was impossible but since others could do it, I decided to try to put my head under water and try to not hold my nose and as soon as my head went under, the water shot directly up my nose and down my throat and I nearly choked and almost couldn't jump out to cough up the water. How is it possible? Ive tried breathing out through my nose to stop the water but it only lasts for 2 seconds then I get rushed in with water and choked.

Is there some sort of invisible nose blocker thats available that everyone has?

Please note that I am not breathing through my nose. I am simply holding my breath. Water still rushes in without breath. Also when exhaling it still slightly does but not much.

Answer 1

It's very simple, blowing air out of your nose prevents water from coming in.

Answer 2

Try putting your head in the water almost upside down and blow out through your nose. I have never really had a problem with water going up my nose except when I jump in so I'm sorry if this doesn't help.

Answer 3

I don't do anything special to keep water out of my nose. Water just doesn't go up. Don't inhale at all when you swim. Instead, blow out very slowly from your nose. I think the problem you're having is that you're inhaling just a bit, and not even realizing it.

Don't worry, you'll get used to not holding your nose. Just stop holding it, and you'll see! Holding your nose can really slow you down. I don't see anybody on my swim team that does that anymore.

Another technique that my friend uses is to scrunch up her whole face. It's so funny to watch her swim when she does that, but it really does work. You don't even have to blow out of your nose, so you can hold your breath longer.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Take a big breath - blow out slightly from your nose while you go under then stop. This will create a "bubble" of air in the nostril and a natural plug. This works great for diving and swimming underwater as well as just basic submersion. Practice while standing in the shallow end and work your way up to diving under to swim - it should only take a few tries before you have it perfect.

Answer 5

What you have to do is allot of breathing exercises !!! First; while standing in shallow water bend your knees until your mouth reaches the surface of water and then exhale from your mout(exhale in water as you are cooling a hot tea ) And then close your mouth by your hands, and go lower until your nose reaches water, and exhale from your nose only (push air strongly and fast) . AND ALWAYS START EXHALING BEFORE YOU REACH WATER !!! Do as much repetition as you can , then try to do it continuously and faster ( mouth and nose ) by exhaling in water and inhaling when your head goes up .
And finally ( after lots of repetitions ) you can start doing it while swimming . You can use a kick board for beginning and while you kicking your legs hold the kick board by both hands (Not stressed ) and do arm pulls ( one by one and very slowly ) focusing on exhaling all the air in your lungs slowly . Then while pulling your arms and just before it goes up , move your head up to the side and lean your body a little bit to help your head get out of water !
Important tip : Always exhale while your head goes down to the water and before it goes up
Good luck !!

Answer 6

Practice (in shallow water) holding your breath in, lowering your head below water, breathing out slowly, and raise your head above water outside the water to breath in again.
Build up a rhythm. While doing laps one does not breath through the nose as much as one does through the mouth.
Move the head sideways. Mouth outside water, breath in, hold the breath, move the head to the otherside through the water, blowing out air all along, raise the head out of water on the otherside, breath in again....

Answer 7

When your nose is under water that is when you breathe out. Blowing water out of your nose keeps the water out.

Answer 8

well to prevent water from going up your nose blow air through it while you are underwater. over time it will come naturally and you find other ways that water will not go up your nose. it is hard to explain but it will happen. i know because i have been swimming for over ten years.

Answer 9

It's simple. You just go underwater without breathing through your nose. Don't inhale. Exhaling underwater only lets out your breath when you're holding it, thus letting out the air you're holding in.

Answer 10

They make small clip type things you can put on your nose while you swim but i found them to always make my nose hurt. It's pretty simple, you just slowly let air out through your nose and it prevents water from coming In.