23:46
Faizan
It’s never too late to learn to swim. In 2004, 3,308 accidental drownings occurred in the United States. Knowing how to swim can keep you safe around water. If you’re an adult just starting to learn swimming, though, how do you know what equipment you’ll need? All you really need is a swimsuit, but many other accessories can help make learning to swim a breeze.
Many styles of swimsuits are on the market for both men and women. They include swim trunks, Speedos, bikinis, tankinis and one-piece swimsuits. The type of swimsuit you're most comfortable in is the one that is best for you. When swimsuits get wet, they fit larger. So it's a good idea to test a new suit in the shower before going to the pool.
A few items might make learning to swim a little more enjoyable. These are goggles, a bathing cap and nose plugs.
Goggles are one of the most common accessories used when swimming. They help you see underwater and keep the chlorine in a pool from stinging your eyes. Many styles of goggles are available--tinted ones, clear ones and ones with designs. Similar to when you choose a bathing suit, the key to choosing goggles is comfort. Some are made with foam padding, others with plastic. Both function the same way; using plastic or foam is a personal preference. Some goggles have an adjustable nose piece, which is helpful for adjusting the distance between eye cups. A good pair of goggles has an anti-fog seal. This seal is important in ensuring your goggles don’t fog up after a few minutes of use.
A bathing cap can help keep your hair out of your eyes and also provide warmth if you practice in cold water or swim for an extended period of time. Racers use bathing caps to help reduce drag, which makes them swim faster. Bathing caps come in different colors and materials. You can find them made of latex, silicone and lycra.
Nose plugs can be helpful for beginner swimmers, especially for those people who have trouble exhaling underwater. When swimming, you typically need to exhale through your nose, or you’ll get a nose full of water. Nose plugs can help a beginner swimmer concentrate on the swim strokes without worrying about water going up her nose. They also can be beneficial for nervous swimmers just learning to go underwater and for those learning more advanced skills, such as diving.
Beginner adult swimmers can consider using flotation devices. You can choose from many flotation items that will help you float while you learn to swim.
A life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD) can be used when you are introduced to deep-water swimming. It is designed to make you float. When selecting a life jacket, one that fits snugly when completely done up is best. If all of the zippers or buckles can't be used, a larger size should be selected. Once the life jacket is on, it should allow you to breathe normally and move around freely. If you can pull your PFD over your ears, however, it’s too large.
A flotation belt, or swim belt, is another option to help you float in the water. These belts are often made of a long piece of foam or a few smaller pieces of foam. They fit around the waist, much like a belt, and offer extra buoyancy when you’re in water. If you are not interested in wearing a life jacket but are not fully comfortable in deep water, a swim belt might be considered.
Once you’re comfortable in the water, many devices and aids can help you learn everything from how to kick to proper swimming strokes, such as the breaststroke.
Kick boards, also known as flutter boards, are used to help beginners of all ages stay afloat while learning to kick. They come in all shapes and sizes. When you hold the flutter board from the top, your elbows should still rest on the board when you extend your arms. Ideally, the end of the board should rest somewhere between your elbows and armpits. If your elbows are not on the board, it’s too small. If the board comes to your armpits, it’s too large.
A noodle is another useful device when learning to swim. You can use one to help you float, learn backstrokes, help you tread water and learn many other skills.
The selection of swimming aids varies from pool to pool; a lifeguard or swimming instructor can help you choose one or more.
When you have the swim gear you need, consider signing up for swimming lessons. Some pools offer private lessons, and others teach groups of swimmers. Many pools have learn-to-swim classes specifically for adults, allowing you to learn to swim with people your own age. It’s important to swim with a buddy and to swim in areas where other people are around--such as pools and public beaches--in case you get into trouble.
Many styles of swimsuits are on the market for both men and women. They include swim trunks, Speedos, bikinis, tankinis and one-piece swimsuits. The type of swimsuit you're most comfortable in is the one that is best for you. When swimsuits get wet, they fit larger. So it's a good idea to test a new suit in the shower before going to the pool.
A few items might make learning to swim a little more enjoyable. These are goggles, a bathing cap and nose plugs.
Goggles are one of the most common accessories used when swimming. They help you see underwater and keep the chlorine in a pool from stinging your eyes. Many styles of goggles are available--tinted ones, clear ones and ones with designs. Similar to when you choose a bathing suit, the key to choosing goggles is comfort. Some are made with foam padding, others with plastic. Both function the same way; using plastic or foam is a personal preference. Some goggles have an adjustable nose piece, which is helpful for adjusting the distance between eye cups. A good pair of goggles has an anti-fog seal. This seal is important in ensuring your goggles don’t fog up after a few minutes of use.
A bathing cap can help keep your hair out of your eyes and also provide warmth if you practice in cold water or swim for an extended period of time. Racers use bathing caps to help reduce drag, which makes them swim faster. Bathing caps come in different colors and materials. You can find them made of latex, silicone and lycra.
Nose plugs can be helpful for beginner swimmers, especially for those people who have trouble exhaling underwater. When swimming, you typically need to exhale through your nose, or you’ll get a nose full of water. Nose plugs can help a beginner swimmer concentrate on the swim strokes without worrying about water going up her nose. They also can be beneficial for nervous swimmers just learning to go underwater and for those learning more advanced skills, such as diving.
Beginner adult swimmers can consider using flotation devices. You can choose from many flotation items that will help you float while you learn to swim.
A life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD) can be used when you are introduced to deep-water swimming. It is designed to make you float. When selecting a life jacket, one that fits snugly when completely done up is best. If all of the zippers or buckles can't be used, a larger size should be selected. Once the life jacket is on, it should allow you to breathe normally and move around freely. If you can pull your PFD over your ears, however, it’s too large.
A flotation belt, or swim belt, is another option to help you float in the water. These belts are often made of a long piece of foam or a few smaller pieces of foam. They fit around the waist, much like a belt, and offer extra buoyancy when you’re in water. If you are not interested in wearing a life jacket but are not fully comfortable in deep water, a swim belt might be considered.
Once you’re comfortable in the water, many devices and aids can help you learn everything from how to kick to proper swimming strokes, such as the breaststroke.
Kick boards, also known as flutter boards, are used to help beginners of all ages stay afloat while learning to kick. They come in all shapes and sizes. When you hold the flutter board from the top, your elbows should still rest on the board when you extend your arms. Ideally, the end of the board should rest somewhere between your elbows and armpits. If your elbows are not on the board, it’s too small. If the board comes to your armpits, it’s too large.
A noodle is another useful device when learning to swim. You can use one to help you float, learn backstrokes, help you tread water and learn many other skills.
The selection of swimming aids varies from pool to pool; a lifeguard or swimming instructor can help you choose one or more.
When you have the swim gear you need, consider signing up for swimming lessons. Some pools offer private lessons, and others teach groups of swimmers. Many pools have learn-to-swim classes specifically for adults, allowing you to learn to swim with people your own age. It’s important to swim with a buddy and to swim in areas where other people are around--such as pools and public beaches--in case you get into trouble.
Posted in: swimming
