One of the first things a beginning swimmer needs to do is get a feel for buoyancy or the sensation of floating.

The best way to do this is to either get to a beach or a pool where the water deepens as if on a hill. The open ocean does not work well for this if there are waves which will splash up into the swimmers face causing unnecessary anxiety.

First for adults and younger beginners, keep your chin up and crawl out into the water with your hands on the ground and your legs stretched out behind you. Continue moving deeper until your legs are floating. This is the feeling of buoyancy.

When you're brave enough lift one hand and then the other. After awhile, while you are still in shallow water, kneel down and reach both hands in front of you with your palms facing out and push the water way at your sides. This should propel your forward.

Practice this a few times and then do it with your feet trailing behind you. This is basic swimming.

Once you've learned basic swim get a little deeper,say chest high. Lower yourself to chin level and move your arms at your side like you were flying in the water. Pushing your palms back, and returning them forward facing the front of you. Then lift your feet this is basic treading water.

As you feel comfortable you can try treading while kicking your feel like scissors, this is advanced treading. Do this... and you are swimming. From here you can use the basic swim to get around.

For very young and infants, helping them float both on their back and with their chin up in the water will help them later when they are ready to try the above.

It also helps to show them how to hold their breath and you both go under in a type of peek a boo game for a second.

Always remember to never frighten a new swimmer by progressing too quickly. It's always better to take it slow than to take chances.

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