When people float, their bodies remain suspended near the top of the pool without having to kick hard or tread water constantly. This allows swimmers to rest their muscles while still being in the cool water. Some reasons why someone may float include relaxing on their back to tan in the sun, playing games where floating is part of the activity, exercising through gentle water aerobic routines, or using a pool float for safety purposes if not a strong swimmer.
Essentially, floating provides a way for both children and adults to enjoy time in the swimming pool through relaxing, exercising or fun aquatic activities while minimizing energy expenditure compared to vigorous swimming strokes. Maintaining a horizontal position just atop the water through natural or aided buoyancy is what defines floating in a recreational swimming pool.
What is a floating pool?
Floating pool consists of floating platforms, walkways, sun decks and lounge areas supported above the actual swimming pool itself by a flotation system. The pools are filled to only about hip-deep with water, leaving tall air chambers beneath the platforms to provide buoyancy. Styrofoam blocks, recycled plastic containers or inflatable bladders are commonly used for flotation.
The Science of Pool Floats
The science behind how pool floats work is actually quite simple. All objects have a specific density, which is their mass per unit of volume. If an object’s density is less than that of the water surrounding it, the buoyant forces acting upon it will cause it to float. By trapping air within their inflated chambers, pool floats are engineered to have densities much less than that of water – around 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter compared to fresh water’s 1 gram per cubic centimeter.
This lets them hold weight with ease. When a swimmer sits or lie on a float, the displaced water’s upward thrust offsets their weight according to Archimedes’ Principle. It’s this interplay between density, mass, volume and buoyancy that allows floats to relaxingly support users through casual water play according to scientific principles.
How to float in a pool
Relax your entire body once you feel yourself start to rise upward. Don’t tense up or flap your arms and legs, as this will cause you to sink. Stay loose and still. Looking up at the sky can help you maintain a calm focus.
If you begin to sink, don’t panic. Tilt your head back slightly and inhale through your mouth, taking in just enough air to rise back up without gulping. Practice small, controlled breaths to stay balanced on the water’s surface.
Start by practicing floats near the pool edge or with an instructor. You can also use pool noodles or kickboards for extra support until gaining confidence without devices. Over time, build up duration by floating for longer periods before coming up for air.
what does floating in a pool mean
If you notice debris or objects seemingly “floating” in your swimming pool, it can be cause for concern. Understanding what this phenomenon indicates is important for proper pool maintenance and water quality. There are a few potential explanations for why things may appear suspended in the water:
Biofilm growth is one common culprit. This occurs when microscopic organisms like algae attach to lightweight particles, causing them to float. While invisible themselves, a biofilm “bloom” can be signaled by floating leaves, dirt or other materials suspended near the surface that wouldn’t normally float on their own.
Another possibility is the presence of oils, lotions or body fluids that have formed an unwanted film on the water. These lighter-weight contaminants lower the surface tension enough for nearly anything small to be buoyed up. Aside from being unsanitary, such films can prevent proper filtration.
Of course, in some cases flotsam in the pool is simply physical debris that truly floats. But when larger inorganic materials like small pebbles or screws seem to hover strangely, it may indicate chemical imbalance issues causing density changes in the water.
What affects the ability to float?
Those with higher body fat percentages will generally find it easier to float due to fat providing buoyancy. Muscle is denser than fat and water, so those with lower body fat may need to work more on balancing upright.
The amount of air someone can hold in their lungs and maintain affects floatability. Larger lung volumes allow a floating position to be held for longer before needing air. Capacity can be increased through breath control practice.
Tensing up muscles makes the body denser and harder to keep buoyant. Flexibility and relaxation are important – floating requires releasing tension from major muscle groups to displace enough water.
Being dehydrated reduces the body’s overall water retention and ups density slightly compared to a well-hydrated state. Drinking plenty of water optimizes internal water balance. Core strength and comfort in the water from regular swimming exercise enhances one’s ability to engage muscles calmly for stability while floating effortlessly.
4 secrets to floating in a pool
Control Your Breathing while floating in a pool
Proper breathing is essential for floating. When laying back in the water, exhale slowly through your mouth to release air from your lungs. This lets your body surface. Take small quiet breaths through your mouth as needed to maintain buoyancy. Don’t breathe heavily which can cause sinking.
Relax Your Entire Body
Tensing up will cause you to sink like a stone. When exhaling to float, fully relax all your muscles from head to toe. Let your arms drift out to your sides and keep your legs straight. This elongates your profile for maximum surface area. Any tension makes you denser so stay limp.
Engage Your Core
While relaxing outwardly, inwardly draw your abdominal muscles up and in slightly. This subtle contraction of your core helps balance and steady floating position by centralizing buoyant forces. Don’t ball up tightly, just maintain a gently engaged midsection.
Play Some Floating Games
Floating is entertaining with friends! Try seeing who holds float longest, a balance contest staying still, or a floating tag game by giving a soft push to “tag” others. Group floating charades and “I spy” games turn it into light aerobic fun for all skill levels. Pool toys enhance floating playtime too. With practice focusing on breathing, relaxation and core engagement techniques per above secrets, anyone can quickly gain confidence to leisurely float comfortably in the pool. Make it sociable family fun too by adding simple recreational floating games.
What are the benefits of floating in a pool?
Here are some of the key benefits of swimming with a float:
- Builds confidence for new or hesitant swimmers. Floats allow you to focus on technique instead of worrying about staying afloat.
- Improves buoyancy skills. Using a float teaches proper body positioning that transfers to stronger floating ability without assistance.
- Makes exercise more enjoyable. Floats provide leisurely support for relaxing and playing in deep water. This encourages longer, lower-impact swim sessions.
- Lessens stress on joints and muscles. Paddling around with a float is gentle on the body compared to intense lap swimming. It’s physically therapeutic.
- Advances water skills. Floats can be like training wheels, helping develop independent arm strokes, kicking motions, etc. before swimming unassisted.
- Suited for all abilities. Everyone from babies just learning to adult non-swimmers can participate safely with supportive gear. It’s inclusive.
- Social, recreational activity. Floating pools or lakes with friends is a fun way to stay active together. They foster bonding over an aquatic hobby.
Which swimming style is best for health?
When it comes to swimming styles and health benefits, there is no single best one as different strokes target different muscle groups and intensities. However, a few top contenders are:
Freestyle/Front Crawl. As swimming’s most versatile stroke, it works large muscle groups with an efficient swimming motion. This makes it great cardio that burns lots of calories without joint strain.
Backstroke. Gently exercises the full body while allowing you to easily sight landmarks. It takes stress off the neck, shoulders and core while still boosting heart health through rhythmic full-body motions.
Breaststroke. Targets the chest, shoulders and arms more than other strokes. It’s beneficial for rehabbing injuries and building muscular endurance. Breaststroke also strengthens the core through symmetric pulls and kicks.
Butterfly.Very challenging, it conditions the entire body through simultaneous arm strokes and kicking. This high-effort stroke doubles the cardiorespiratory workout of other styles when performed for short intervals.
3 types of floating in a pool
Back Float
Lie on your back with arms relaxed at your sides and legs straight out together. tilt your head back slightly by lengthening the back of your neck. Exhale audibly through your mouth to release air from your lungs. Feel your body lift upwards as your chest becomes less dense than the water. Take small gentle breaths through your mouth as needed for stability. Maintain full body relaxation – any tension will cause sinking. Adjust arm positioning away from sides to alter balance point
Front Float
The front float position requires you to lie facedown in the water. To achieve it, submerge yourself then exhale forcefully through your mouth. Gently recline your body so your hips rise above the surface while your arms extend straight ahead, palms down. With practice, you’ll find the angle where your entire midsection and legs float freely while your face rests calmly in the water.
From this position, continue slow, shallow mouth breathing to replenish used air and maintain buoyancy. With arms acting as a keel, any small movements can propel you forward while floating. Over time, try bending your knees toward your chest or alternately fluttering your feet just below the surface. Like the back float, relaxing completely is key to a smooth front float that allows hands-free enjoyment of your natural environment.
Survival Float
The survival float position is essential for treading water safely during emergencies. It optimizes buoyancy while minimizing energy expenditure. Tilt your head back slightly so your whole body forms an angled line from ear to toes. Keeping your body relaxed yet balanced at this oblique angle allows for maximum surface area exposure without straining. Small kicking motions may help, but steady breathing is most important to retain strength if stranded. Employing the survival float conserves stamina and increases chances of rescue compared to other treading techniques. With practice, it can become second nature for any swimmer in crisis situations requiring extended flotation.
