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04-13-2004, 15:48

Robertson,

First, I am a 'guest' here at PS.

I enter this discussion only because I was a certified WSI (Water Safety Instructor) and had to teach some of what you are referring to others (to civilians, not military) who were trying to qualify to become certified intructors themselves.

My comments are directed only to your problem of getting over the hurdle of treading water,w/ head and hands above water, for a sustained period.

You have received excellent information. One mentioned using a scissors kick method and the 'egg beater' method was mentioned by someone who has BTDT. I am in no way trying to promote one method over the other. I am suggesting that you try both methods and see which feels more 'comfortable'.

In addition, you have to listen carefully to what has been said to you about your mindset and step back and relax.

As NDD mentioned, I too found success with the scissors kick method. Envision the surface of the water as a horizontal plane. By doing a scissors kick (the same scissors kick you would do with the sidestroke but now you are vertical) you will find that your head and hands will go up and down above that plane as you execute the stroke but by finding the proper speed of doing that stroke, you will NOT go down so far that you break that plane. You will find a speed of repeating the kick (and this applies to eggbeater too) that allows you to MAINTAIN your goal but does not burn you out. Please note: I say this as instruction for having to sustain head and hands above water for a prolonged periods of time. If you are required to keep head and hands "X" number of inches above that plane obviously you will have to increase the speed of your repetitions.

Questions:
Are you doing your kick 'effectively'? If you are not executing the kick properly in the first place you are overcompensating for a poor kick. Find someone knowledgeable to observe your kick underwater to see if you are executing the basic movements correctly.

Then move on to determine which method of kick you are most comfortable and successful with. Give each method a fair trial. If however, you are REQUIRED to do one kick rather than the other, then just ignore what I just said.

Experiment with 'speed' of kick so you can comfortably prolong
your time.

Once you have all your basics down, begin holding weights in your hands (rubberized block weights work well to start).

You can't go wrong when you have people like NDD and Match giving you instruction.
Good luck.

Roycroft201
(once a teacher, always a teacher- just the curriculum changes).

04-13-2004, 15:48	#14
Roycroft201 Guest Posts: n/a	My .02 Robertson, First, I am a 'guest' here at PS. I enter this discussion only because I was a certified WSI (Water Safety Instructor) and had to teach some of what you are referring to others (to civilians, not military) who were trying to qualify to become certified intructors themselves. My comments are directed only to your problem of getting over the hurdle of treading water,w/ head and hands above water, for a sustained period. You have received excellent information. One mentioned using a scissors kick method and the 'egg beater' method was mentioned by someone who has BTDT. I am in no way trying to promote one method over the other. I am suggesting that you try both methods and see which feels more 'comfortable'. In addition, you have to listen carefully to what has been said to you about your mindset and step back and relax. As NDD mentioned, I too found success with the scissors kick method. Envision the surface of the water as a horizontal plane. By doing a scissors kick (the same scissors kick you would do with the sidestroke but now you are vertical) you will find that your head and hands will go up and down above that plane as you execute the stroke but by finding the proper speed of doing that stroke, you will NOT go down so far that you break that plane. You will find a speed of repeating the kick (and this applies to eggbeater too) that allows you to MAINTAIN your goal but does not burn you out. Please note: I say this as instruction for having to sustain head and hands above water for a prolonged periods of time. If you are required to keep head and hands "X" number of inches above that plane obviously you will have to increase the speed of your repetitions. Questions: Are you doing your kick 'effectively'? If you are not executing the kick properly in the first place you are overcompensating for a poor kick. Find someone knowledgeable to observe your kick underwater to see if you are executing the basic movements correctly. Then move on to determine which method of kick you are most comfortable and successful with. Give each method a fair trial. If however, you are REQUIRED to do one kick rather than the other, then just ignore what I just said. Experiment with 'speed' of kick so you can comfortably prolong your time. Once you have all your basics down, begin holding weights in your hands (rubberized block weights work well to start). You can't go wrong when you have people like NDD and Match giving you instruction. Good luck. Roycroft201 (once a teacher, always a teacher- just the curriculum changes).