Swimming Question

shagybear33
shagybear33 Posts: 272
edited September 30 in Health and Weight Loss
What does it mean if a person cannot float. Like ABSOLUTELY cannot float no matter what. Head floats, but rest of body just sinks....???

Replies

  • happybrooke
    happybrooke Posts: 153
    My fiancee is the same way! I have no idea why he can't!! His parents say that even as a kid he couldn't float!
  • Artemis_Acorn
    Artemis_Acorn Posts: 836 Member
    Usually, that means either that they have dense muscle tissue, or that their lung capacity is low. Or that they never learned to do it properly.
  • chuckyp
    chuckyp Posts: 693 Member
    Muscle sinks, fat floats. So sinking is probably a good thing in that regard, but not so much if your boat sinks in the middle of the ocean. Ha!
  • liftingbro
    liftingbro Posts: 2,029 Member
    Well, if you cannot relax your body you will not float. Also, people that are very lean and muscular find it more difficult.
  • arkenny
    arkenny Posts: 125
    haha i am the same way!! even as a kid when i was small i couldnt float....
  • shagybear33
    shagybear33 Posts: 272
    Muscle sinks, fat floats. So sinking is probably a good thing in that regard, but not so much if your boat sinks in the middle of the ocean. Ha!

    Bwhahah!! :laugh:
  • Flyntiggr
    Flyntiggr Posts: 898 Member
    just about everyone can float. the challenge is finding the correct body position to make that happen - an equilibrium of sorts. I saw this a lot when I was a full time swim instructor. Some people need to bend their legs at the knees, spread arms overhead, hold more air in lungs. :) If your body fat % is super low, that'll make it harder too....
  • NicLiving
    NicLiving Posts: 261 Member
    They just need to relax. You can't float if you are tense and/or nervous about drowning; espcially if your not a very good swimmer.
  • bethvandenberg
    bethvandenberg Posts: 1,496 Member
    I think it's a comfort thing. I think you have to be able to relax and trust the water.
  • shagybear33
    shagybear33 Posts: 272
    Thanks for the replies!

    I used to float with no problems when I was heavier. Tried two weeks ago and sunk within seconds. My friends thought it was pretty funny tho. :laugh:

    Good thing I'm still a strong swimmer.. :tongue:
  • sunniebeehealthy
    sunniebeehealthy Posts: 25 Member
    Muscle tends to make people sink. The higher ones body fat the easier it is for them to float..I used to teach WSI classes and this is the primary reason. If you inhale deeply and hold your breath- it makes it easier to float...but nonetheles- the more your body fat % in relation to your muscle mass is a key factor in if you sink or float :)
  • smsmith1616
    smsmith1616 Posts: 7 Member
    It's a learned skill. ;-) I've tried to help many people get it, but until you experience the feeling of floating I think it can be very intimidating to put one's head back, fill the lungs, and relax your body. People get scared to give up physical control.
  • mentalbeat
    mentalbeat Posts: 104 Member
    It means you need to move your arms and legs and take breaths. If you lay on your back and take a big breath in you will float, you will just need to move your legs slightly to fully float
  • Monica_has_a_goal
    Monica_has_a_goal Posts: 694 Member
    My hubby can't float.. never has been able to. He's about 275 and is an awesome swimmer but I do worry why he can't. I guess he has more muscle mass or heavy bones.. who knows .. :laugh:
  • ohwhataday
    ohwhataday Posts: 1,398 Member
    and we all float on, okayyy.
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    Muscle sinks, fat floats. So sinking is probably a good thing in that regard, but not so much if your boat sinks in the middle of the ocean. Ha!

    Bwhahah!! :laugh:

    Actually you'd have a better chance of floating in the ocean because of the salt water!
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