15 minute float/tread

[bdshort]

This weekend, as part of the watermanship test for the PSD team my local FD/PD is working on putting together (similar to the Dive Master test), we have to do a 15 minute tread/float, the final 2 minutes of which we're supposed to keep our hands out of the water. I think I must have the wrong body type for the last part. I can tread water okay, but as much as I tried, there was no way I could float with my face above the water if I stopped sculling with my hands. Even with a lung full of air I'd sink to eye level, and kicking seemed to have no effect at all. Am I kicking wrong, or do I just have the wrong body type? I'm 6'3", about 180-185, with pretty much 0 body fat.

 

[knotical]

Near-zero body fat significantly adds to the challenge.

Options include:
Improve your kick. Consider watching some water polo videos.
Tilt your head way back. All you need out of the water to breathe is your nose or mouth.
Go to salt water.
Gain a lot of body fat.

OK, so the last one isn’t practical. And maybe neither is the one before it.

 

[ekewaka]

In the Marine Corps, we had to tread water for an hour with hands out of the water. I have a similar body type (6'1" 160) and I didn't have any problem.

 

[MissyP]

Tilt your head way back. All you need out of the water to breathe is your nose or mouth.
.

That was the trick for me also- head tilted back, chest up, deep breath & holding as much air in the lungs for as long as possible and exhaling slowly.

 

[jsmharley]

neoprene underwear this is tough for me to do as well, i am like a rock in water. now the ole lady she can just sit back with barely a hand paddle and stay afloat.

 

[Igodeep]

neoprene underwear, I would not have thought of that, but it sounds like a great idea. I've had to do this same test a number of times for different certs, and it can be a very hard test for those with low body fat. The best advice I can give you is to find a pool and practice a lot. You can get through it.

 

[dmdoss]

Now why would one need to tread water for any length of time with there arms up in the air?:shakehead Unless your the actors in Open Water the movie.

 

[ekewaka]

Now why would one need to tread water for any length of time with there arms up in the air?:shakehead Unless your the actors in Open Water the movie.

We don't ask that question in the Marine Corps.

 

[jbd]

bdshort,

The key is in the kick you use while you have your hands out of the water. What I found works for me is to use a scissor type kick, which resembles a long running stride. Each kick must snap to the closed position. Just like running, you alternate which leg goes forward and which goes back.

 

[jbd]

We don't ask that question in the Marine Corps.

I wonder why???