Are there any tactics for retrieving a 10 lb. brick from the 12 ft end of the pool going feet first?

Question

I'm trying to become a lifeguard and I can't make myself sink and I dont want to let all my air out because then I can't go all the way down.

Answer 1

Try this...

If you're starting from treading water, let your air out normally and sink feet first until you touch bottom.  The second you feel your toes touch, start bending your knees and sink further, while basically kneeling down.  Find the brick and pick it up with your hands, then as forcefully as you can, set your feet under you and launch yourself for the surface.

If you're jumping in, exhale sharply as you hit and do the same thing.

Answer 2

When I did the test, I approached the brick doing freestyle and when I was not too far away I took a big last stroke and a butterfly kick with your head angled down toward the brick.  The kick give you enough momentum to get to the bottom.  When you start going down exhale some of your air and then exhale the rest slowly on the way up.  Good luck, I hope this helps.

Answer 3

Practice a few times jumping in, with your hands at your side, and getting to the bottom fast.  Jump-in pretending you're a needle and streamline your body.  Dont worry about "making yourself sink" or "letting air out". If you start to slow down before getting to the bottom take a big stroke by moving your hands from your side to clasped way above your head.  Let the momentum of the jump get you to the bottom.  Once at the bottom locate the brick, grab it and jump off the bottom really hard.  Scramble with the brick to the surface and lift it to the deck.  Good luck.

Answer 4

There are a few tactics to this.

When you are close enough to the brick, position your body vertically, then at the same time, press both hands down and kick strongly to raise yourself out of the water.

Take a deep breath while your arms are at your sides, and let your body sink underwater.

As your downward momentum slows, turn your palms outward, and sweep the hands and arms upward and overhead.

Repeat this until you are deep enough to reach the brick. Once you've the brick in your hands, it helps boost your upward momentum by kicking off of the ground.

The trick is to learn when to release your breath. I exhale when I kick off of the ground, but only because that is easier for me. Find what you like best. Hope this helps!

Answer 5

swim, push yourself down.  don't let air out and hope to sink down.

Answer 6

It would always be easier to reach the bottom head first because its easier to propel yourself and then you dont have to worry about running out of air too much.

when i did my pool lifeguard qualification we had to jump in feet first from the side of the pool and then retrieve the brick, we were always taught to jump in feet first like a pencil jump so that you use gravity to sink down as far as possible and then immediately flip downwards so that you can pull with your arms and kick your legs.

if you dont HAVE to go down feet first it will always be easier to do a surface dive, or a dive from the side of the pool depending on how you are asked to do it by your instructor

Answer 7

yes if you can't do this that's really bad because it's really important that you're strong enough under the water to pull down the weight of your body plus the air in you're lungs i would suggest letting a bit of air out as you're diving down, then grab it and push off the floor with your feet or just bring it to ur chest and bring it up. but push off especially

Answer 8

Well you have to let your air out as you're sinking.  That is what's keeping you from sinking.  If you fill your lungs with air- it makes you more bouyant.  When I was a guard- I would tread in the water and do a BIG kick to really get me out a little bit- then kick to go down- you will go faster.  As you're going down, let your air out.  Good luck!