Shallow Water Blackout

Breath work is vital in swimming.  A deep breath in and gentle exhale blowing bubbles, face in the water.  We start this from the beginning as babies, even in the bath and remind all our swimmers, until it becomes second nature. Gentle trickle bubbles for great swimming.

Shallow water blackout occurs when a swimmer holds their breath for too long and can result in an underwater faint, low oxygen to the brain.  Without immediate rescue death can result.  This can occur with top athletics and free divers, and is another reason we must never swim alone.

Please, as an inexperienced adult never tell another person to hold their breath – we start with good practice and continue with good practice.