We’ve all been there, that hold-down after getting nailed by a wave and rolled around like a washing machine, that feeling that you’re not coming up and running out of air.
Inevitably, in this situation your movements become faster and more desperate the longer you are under. This will use up what oxygen you have left in your body even faster, causing you to panic even more.
A practical solution is to improve lung capacity. This will enable you to take on increased levels of oxygen and give you valuable extra seconds under water. Specialised training in a pool can help you prepare for this unavoidable situation.
- Warm up with at least a steady ten-minute swim.
- Swim four 50 metre sets front crawl, breathing every four strokes with 30 seconds rest after each 50 metres. Take 60 seconds rest after the last 50 metres.
- Swim two 100 metre sets front crawl, breathing every five strokes with 60 seconds rest after each 100 metres. Take 60 seconds rest after the last 100 metres.
- Finish the set with four 25 metre sets front crawl, breathing once mid-length.