Prone Float
 

Hey all. I have been practicing my swimming lately. The only thing that still freaks me out is the prone float. I seem to do okay when I hold my nose. My question is, are we allowed to plug our nose in boot camp while doing the one minute prone float? Or do we have to just breathe out through our nose?

If it was only 1 minute, maybe plugging your nose would work, but it's 5 minutes. Generally you come up to breathe for a sec and then put your face back in the water.

Oh really? I thought it was a minute. Are we still allowed to plug our nose in between breaths?

If I were you, I would try my best to overcome the apprehension and do it without plugging your nose. A common technique to help with that is to breath out through your nose ever so slightly so that the air bubbles form a sort of plug.

The point of that float is to remain calm and consume as little energy as possible, as a survival technique. If you are using one hand to plug your nose, then you are going to have to expend that much more energy to stay afloat. Unless you just naturally float really well, most people have to move their arms and legs just a little to keep oriented. Doing it short one hand will not be easier, and judging by what others have said if you move too much you will get yelled at.

I have to ask, are you ok swimming underwater without plugging your nose? Because if so, how is this functionally different?

I promise it's all mental. You can do it without plugging your nose.

PringleMan thanks for that reply. Yes I can swim under water without plugging my nose. I know it's all mental. Maybe its just the fear of being still and feeling as though I will sink. I feel like when I just lay there, I have no control. Its weird how just plugging my nose makes me feel like I have some sort of control. Not sure why! I will keep practing though..

Thanks. I know.. I am so scared of failing! I will keep practicing and keep trying to stay calm.

floating
 

I heard you also have to float on your back. Is that true?

No, you float face-down... hence, prone vs. supine float, lol.

The swim test consists of this:
1. jumping off of a 10 ft. platform
2. swimming the length of the pool
3. 5 minute prone float
4. a bunch of waiting in line
5. coverall flotation

There is no straight up floating on your back during the test.