I need to learn how to swim or I'm doomed?

Question

I have about 4-5 weeks to learn how to swim. I don't feel afraid of the water, I don't seem to know what the problem. I've been in the pool a countless number of times, mostly on the 5" area. Am I supposed to naturally float? Do I need to get fat? Whatever advice could be given would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

If I don't learn how to swim in this set time period, I won't be allowed into the Army. This is very important to me, thanks.

Answer 1

If you need to learn how to swim, then start to take lessons ASAP!! It is hard to teach yourself to swim, and you want your stroke to be as efficient as possible. Try some place like the YMCA and see if they offer lessons for adult beginners. If you could get individual lessons, that would be best. That's how I learned to swim! Most people can't naturally float, but that will be one of the first things that you learn. Once you learn it, it gets to be second nature almost (when in the water).
P.S. You don't need to get fat to swim!!

Answer 2

If you don't know how to swim and you only have 4 to 5 weeks until you can join the Army I hate to be Steve Carell from "Little Miss Sunshine" but as they say in the movie "You can't fly if you're colorblind". You need to get ready for everything in that time period and not just focus on swimming so therefore you should've learned how to swim at least a year ago for complete and proper preperations. Otherwise you won't stand a chance in the Alamo if you don't prepare for everything else you need to be prepared for.

Answer 3

Well if you need to learn how to float, then make sure you are arching your back when you are laying face up. A valuable skill you should learn is how to tread water. Learning how to swim may be difficult all together at first so break it down. Try kicking and/or pulling by itself and once you get those down put it together. If you are still having trouble on your own, see if you can take some lessons.

Answer 4

You may not be afraid of water, but still be very stiff and tense in the water.
Hey, Relax! I mean, really RELAX!
Catch yourself tensing, and say to yourself" Now I am relaxing my legs. Now my arms are absolutely loose "and let them float limp in the water. "Now my neck muscles are relaxed, and my head tilted back is lying easily and simply on the water, like on my pillow." Even if your head momentarily dips below surface, do not panic. Lie flat easily, and ...............you will find that your head gently comes UP above the surface, with your upturned nose breaking surface!
You will realise that you are floating!!! Cheers!

In addition, go find a swimming instructor immediately. Sure, You can easily learn swimming in 2 weeks! Good luck!

Answer 5

You don't need to be fat!

Surely the army will teach you how to swim? Must be like the balmy army that follows the British cricket team around!

You float because you have with you a great big bag of air attached to you commonly called your lungs.... just breath naturally... when you breathe in you rise in the water... when you breathe out you start to sink.... when you do short shallow breathes .. you panic, thash about and ultimately you will sink.

So relax, breathe deep breathes in and out.... bend your knees and hips like you are sitting in a chair, have your arms out to the sides and slowly move them from side to side.. and slowly kick your legs by swishing them slowly backwards and forwards ~movement from the knees. Breathe in... breathe out.. breathe in ... breathe out... it's like meditation.

If you look relaxed they will think you can swim there all day.. if you are thrashing about... they will know you can only last a few minutes before you exhaust yourself and drown.

Answer 6

Please reconsider going into the army, you will regret it later.