She asked me to teach her, as I used to be a SCUBA instructor and am therefore comfortable in water etc.
The only drawback is that she was in the army and even their instructors couldnt teach her how to swim, she's quite terrified.
Any tips to make this go a bit smoother?
2007-06-14 08:50:37 · 4 answers · asked by jademonkey 5 in Sports ➔ Swimming & Diving
relaxing is definitely the first step. when i used to teach adults, one of the first things i would say in class is "people don't drown because they can't swim, people drown because they panic." that would sometimes help put people at ease, or at least get them thinking that they need to relax. we learn in shallow water to start, so there is no reason to panic, especially if you are there to provide assurance. other than that, there is way too much to cover to "teach" someone to swim here on Yahoo. it's just not that easy, like any other motor skill like skiing or riding a bike. you need to get help from someone who knows and knows how to teach it. if you really are intent on helping her, my advise is to teach her to float first. get her to understand that she really can float with very little effort. put her on her back with you behind her holding her head with one hand and her lower back with your other. talk to her, help her to relax. move her slowly around the shallow end so she can feel the water flowing by her. she needs to feel comfortable in the water before any learning can actually take place. slowly remove your hand from her lower back so she can feel that she is actually floating on her own. if she panics, just touch her again on her back to assure her you are right there. relax relax relax... good luck
2007-06-14 09:04:37 · answer #1 · answered by Wyatt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm pretty sure your methods will be a bit different than the militarys. Also, your friend asked you so she obviously WANTS to learn and trusts you. If she is being a big baby about it and is being a scaredy cat tell her you don't want to teach her until she is ready to actually try it. I think since she asked you to help she won't be as scared. Just be encouraging and supportive.
Good luck!
2007-06-14 15:55:23 · answer #2 · answered by Kristy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
do things incredibly slow. Start in shallow water. Hold her as if she were floating flat on her back. Do this until it is almost unbearably boring. Eventually she will want to learn more. Then take each step the same way. Incredibly slow. So slow it is almost painful to you.
2007-06-14 16:00:56 · answer #3 · answered by Karl_Winslow 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I was you would have her hold onto the ladder and have her kick her legs then show her how to move her arms.Then have her swim with you by holding just around her waist =] hope i helped
2007-06-14 19:57:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋