Breathing When Swimming Tips

Proper breathing is important for successful swimming. Swimmers who do not breathe correctly will tire more quickly and the resulting fatigue will negatively affect their performance in the water. There are tips swimmers can use to help them learn to breathe more easily and efficiently, ensuring they are getting enough oxygen while in the water.

  1. Exhale in Water

    • According to Active, swimmers swim more efficiently by maximizing the amount of time the face is in the water. Doing this leaves little time to both inhale and exhale during the time that the face is out of the water. Kidz World suggests that swimmers exhale while their face is in the water to avoid having to waste time doing so when the face is out of the water for inhalation. Exhaling in the water also increases the amount of air a swimmer is able to take in during inhalation.

    Avoid Getting Water in Nose and Mouth

    • In order to breathe properly while swimming it is important to avoid getting water in the nose and mouth. Preventing water from getting into the mouth and nose can be done in a couple of ways. Exhaling slightly as soon as a swimmer's face enters the water helps him prevent water from getting in. After this tiny exhale a swimmer should close his mouth the entire time his face is in the water. When a swimmer does inhale he should turn his head to the side once it is out of the water to inhale and avoid a mouthful of water.

    Establish a Rhythm and Pattern

    • Maintaining a steady rhythm and breathing pattern is important when swimming. Without a breathing pattern a swimmer may panic and begin to hyperventilate. Swimmers should breathe consistently after a chosen number of strokes. For instance, a swimmer who chooses to breathe after every four strokes should do this the entire time he is swimming.