Preparing for DIRF

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Also, look down at the bottom of the pool, not ahead at the far wall. Every little bit helps when you're trying to glide and conserve energy. Be very conscious of your movements. If you are careless when doing a breaststroke, especially underwater, you can actually pull yourself backwards and lose momentum. Just my 2psi.

-Frank
 
For what it's worth - when I do breath hold dives I find that slowing my heartrate and breathing rate really helps - Being very calm and as has been stated already, swimming slowly and gently, yet deliberately and with efficiency really helps conserve energy and allow you to make the most of your available air. I'm currently swimming down to 40' for about 1 minute and trying to get to 50' for 2 minutes, but that's going to take some practice for me. I've got a friend who was doing 5 minute breathhold dives not too long ago - gives me something to aim for - lol (actually I'd be thrilled to do half that)
 
Hey guys and gals, thanks for all the advice. However, I think a certain Mr Phelps has inspired a nation to swim which is not a bad thing just not at my pool!! I was lucky to find half a lane to swim in never mind practicing my underwater swimming. I work from home tomorrow so should be able to go a little later which hopefully will be after the commuter train has taken all these aspiring swimmers to their little jobs. I'll let you know how I get on tomorrow. Also, there was no lifeguard there today.
 
Ok, so standard underwater swim.

First, before you submerge, you want to slightly hyperventilate. Do not over do this, as without practice, it can be dangerous.

The desire to breath is caused by CO2 build up, so take 3-4 very deep breaths and hold them for a second or to, then exhale completely. This will allow your body to reduce its CO2 load and store more Oxygen. If you over do this, you can reduce your CO2 load so much that you actually run out of Oxygen without the urge to breath and will pass out. So do not take more that 5 breaths.

The key is to burn as little energy as possible, you don't want to struggle or fight. You need to do an underwater frog kick, not a fin frog kick. Bring your legs toward you, then kick them out and back, when done your legs should be trailing behind you creating little drag. You have to use your arms. Bring you arms forward close to your body, under you face (looking face down) push your arms forward, at the same time as the frog kick, pull your arms to your side but not too far back, a little past the shoulders is fine, then bring your arms back in.

You need to glide between kicks and relax, but don't let all the momentum fade away before the next kick, as this requires you to use more energy on the next stroke.

Also, don't try for distance right away, get your strokes down. Once you get your strokes down, the 75' will be easy.

Don't worry, you can do this. It's simply a matter of a little practice, and remember, use your arms. You don't have fins, and you need your arms in this case.

Xanthro
 
so, with the DIR course, especially with Bob Sherwood's class, are you allowed to have any type of kick off the wall, or a "jump in" from a standing position? or do you just start from a dead stop?
 
MAK52580:
so, with the DIR course, especially with Bob Sherwood's class, are you allowed to have any type of kick off the wall, or a "jump in" from a standing position? or do you just start from a dead stop?

I believe the standards say from a dead start. Check them out. They are on the GUE website.
 
No push offs for the underwater swim.
No push offs for the surface swim.
No diveing in and swimming under water for the surface swim.
No flip turns.

Just keep swimming. :)
 
The GUE standards do not specify pushoffs or not - see section 2.1.2.2. Maybe the instructors have more specific instructions.

I know I have seen the swim test conducted in a variety of manners. If you're taking a course with Bob, just drop him an email and ask about the specific conditions.
 
KazInAz:
I have also been practicing for the DIR swim test and I have been using a 25 meter pool. Is one lap considered from one end to the other or is one lap out and back again?

Thanks
A lap is there and back, you turn around once - this would be 50 meters.
A length is from one side to the other - this would be 25 meters.
 

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