Until recently I could not keep swimming more than 50 m in the freestyle. Exhaling and inhaling in a short moment when my face was above the surface had been my long time habit of breathing. Two weeks ago, I just thought of exhaling underwater and tried keeping exhaling while my face was in the water. And voila! I found myself keep swimming more than 500 m. Now I realize that the amount of air in one breath is not essential, but continuous air flow at the surface of alveoli is the key for not suffocating. I have never taken systematic lessons of swimming, but is this a common knowledge?
I also would like to know how you exhale underwater; through mouth, thorough nose, or both? Any reason for that? I currently exhale through only mouth.
Parents
Former Member
Exhaling:
Whatever you're comfortable with... I exhale through through both, mostly mouth during strokes, nose on turns...
