Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Get used to being underwater
• Method 2 of 3: Build your confidence
• Method 3 of 3: Swim without holding your nose
• Tips

Being able to swim underwater without having to keep your nose closed offers many more possibilities for water sports and fun. Whether you want to take advantage of a tumbling turn point, dedicate yourself to competitive swimming or just do an underwater handstand, learning to swim underwater without having to keep your nose closed is essential. Here are some simple ways you can learn to swim without holding your nose.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Get used to being underwater

1. Enter the water and stay at the edge of the pool.
   • You will feel safer standing by the edge of the pool as you go through the following steps.
   • Stand up to your waist or chest in the pool, whichever is most comfortable for you.
2. Slowly submerge your head while blowing air through your nose. Exhaling through your nose is the most common way to prevent water from entering. Try to exhale slowly after putting your head underwater so you can stay underwater longer.
3. Repeat the previous step until it is no longer strange to be underwater without holding your nose.

Method 2 of 3: Build your confidence

1. Now that you've gotten used to being underwater without holding your nose shut, you can also try it while you swim. Swim along the shorter side of the pool, close to the edge, as you follow the steps below. By using a shorter distance and the edge as an aid, you can work towards greater challenges.
2. Start by going underwater and then pushing yourself away from the edge of the pool.
   • Try this out a few times before actually swimming all the way to the other side.
   • If you notice water entering your nose after pushing, try again.
   • Make sure you exhale through your nose while pushing off the edge of the pool.
3. Start swimming! Once you get used to pushing away from the side of the pool without holding your nose closed, you can start swimming from one side of the pool to the other.
   • While using swimming strokes such as the front crawl, breaststroke or butterfly, swimming "horizontally", keep your head towards the bottom of the pool.
   • As always, make sure to exhale through your nose while your head is underwater.
   • Rise up for a breath of air every 1-3 strokes, or as needed, then put your head back underwater, exhaling through your nose.
4. Keep swimming along the short side of the pool until you are comfortable with that.

Method 3 of 3: Swim without holding your nose

1. Start with a good breath of air and then put your head underwater. Without thinking twice, start swimming to the other side of the pool. Using all the steps given above you should now be able to swim the full length of the pool without having to close your nose!
   • Have confidence in yourself and your skills as a swimmer, but remember that the most important thing about swimming is that you feel comfortable and safe. Use the edge of the pool as often as necessary until you feel you can swim all over the pool without using the edge.
   • As you swim more you will notice that you can swim further without feeling like you have to keep your nose closed. Your body will acclimate to this process over time.
   • In addition, the faster you swim, the less quickly water will get into your nose.
2. Swim a lane without holding your nose. Once you can swim a full lane without having to close your nose, you have achieved your goal!

Tips

• Practice blowing air through your nose more and more slowly. Eventually you will get it so that you have just enough air pressure in your nose to prevent water from entering.
• Remember, you will likely need to take a breath often at first. Practice air shots after different numbers of strokes - after one, two, or three strokes, and so on, until you know which number works best for you.
• If this technique doesn't work, consider purchasing a nose clip.
• Sing a song in your head while you swim to distract yourself and soothe the anxious feeling you get from having your nose under water.