How to Learn to Swim When You Are Afraid of Drowning

Summer is the perfect time to visit a lake or pool, but many people who have a fear of drowning will not put a foot in the water. Even if you have that fear, you can still learn to swim. Swimming is a technical skill and takes time and practice. If you're fearful, you may need to take more time and put more effort into it. A trained, experienced professional will be able to teach you to swim.

Things You'll Need

  • Goggles
  • Nose clip (optional)
  • Ear plugs (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1
      Find an experienced instructor to teach you to swim.

      Visit a local aquatic center or community pool. It will have swim lessons and most offer a choice of group, semi-private and private instruction. Every local chapter of the American Red Cross has water safety programs. If you do not have a community pool nearby, you can locate an instructor through the Red Cross.

    • 2
      Get familiar with the pool

      Go to the pool to get familiar with the place. Find out what the check-in procedure is, where the locker rooms are and how to get out to the pool. If you are comfortable standing in the water, get in and walk around in the shallow end. The more familiar a location is, the more comfortable you will be.

    • 3
      Talk to your instructor.

      Meet your instructor before the lessons begin. Talk to the instructor about your fears. The more he knows about you, the better. The instructor will have suggestions as to how you can conquer your fear of drowning. If you have limitations, this is the time to talk about them. If you absolutely will not go in water over your head, talk about it before you begin lessons. This is the time to get comfortable with the instructor so that you will trust her in the water. Trusting your instructor will be the most important thing that you can do to learn how to swim.

    • 4

      Get in the water with your instructor. Stay in shallow water. Walk around until you are comfortable. Crouch down and then stand up. Put your goggles on and put your face underwater. Hold your breath and then blow the air out through your mouth underwater. Use a nose clip if water gets up your nose. Once you feel ready--and it may not be at your first lesson--put your whole head underwater. Use ear plugs if it bothers you to have water in your nose.

    • 5

      Go to the side of the pool, hang on with your hands and kick your legs. When you have mastered that, stand up in the water and push off the bottom. With your face in the water and arms extended, kick your legs. Your instructor is right there with you, and will be able to assist you if you have difficulty in the water.

    • 6

      Standing in the shallow water, lay back until you are floating on your back. The instructor will be helping with this, hands under your shoulders to help you to float. Stay relaxed and keep your hips up close to the surface. When you can comfortably float on your back, try the same thing on your stomach.

    • 7

      Push off the bottom and start kicking. When you are at the surface, pull one hand towards you and then the other hand. Keep your head up so that you can see ahead of you. Alternate pulling your hands towards your body.