How to Tread Water

• Treading water requires very basic body movements and can be effective for short periods of time at keeping one's head above water. This is perhaps why so many children learn this technique about the same time they learn to "doggy paddle" or perform other basic swimming strokes. To practice treading water effectively, a pool with a depth over one's head without feet touching the bottom is needed.
  
  Jump in and begin "pedaling" both legs as if riding a bicycle. The leg revolutions should be exaggerated with knees coming as close to chest level as possible. With each pedal stroke, use exaggerated paddle motions with both arms out to the sides in unison with corresponding leg kicks. Arms should be out in front at about 45-degree angles to the body and make sweeping motions downward. Those in good physical shape can repeat this motion for quite some time.
  
  

When to Use It

• Treading water takes a lot of energy and in most cases does not make a good survival swimming technique. One can expend as much, if not more, energy with this technique than with swimming strokes. Use this as an introductory means to teaching children how to swim or as a technique for exercising in the neighborhood pool. Treading water also can be used very sparingly in some survival situations in which heavy waves or current make it difficult to back-float or swim to stay afloat. Treading water also can be used for a time when trying to keep the body moving and warm while waiting for rescue in cold water. But this can only work for a short time before the technique must be supplemented with other tactics.
  
  

Supplemental Techniques

• Survival floating can be alternated with treading water -- or can replace it completely -- in survival situations. Floating is a superior survival technique because it expends far less vital energy. It's a method recommended by the Boy Scouts of America and can be found in the Scouting Field Book.
  
  Back-floating can keep you safe but is best used in calm waters. For this technique, take a deep breath and lean back in the water as if reclining. Hands and arms should go in about 45-degree angles above and behind the head. Pointing thumbs back and down can help sustain the back float.
  
  Forward-facing survival floating can be more effective in strong currents. For this technique, sometimes called a dead-man's float, take a deep breath, hold it and lean forward to float face down in the water. Arms should dangle loosely. When in need of air, take quick, deep breaths and then resume the position.