SDK on your back without breathing out your nose

I have nothing to offer in this thread except thanks - I've set getting my backstroke turns and sdk in order as my major goal for this year. So keep those tips coming! I'll give the noseclip a try - though I have trepidations since I breathe in through my mouth and out through my nose through my entire backstroke swim. I guess it will just take some getting used to to breathe without using my nose at all

Use a nose clip...

The nose clip is probably the easiest solution. I never got comfortable with the nose clip, however. There are two other methods. The first is to scrunch your face so as to pinch off the air into your nostrils. If done really well, you can actually block your nostrils with your upper lip. The second (and the method that I use) is to let "the water in the brain". I just expel the water after the race. By the way, that step is VERY important. You don't want to know how I know. The air in the lungs is imperative, so keep at it. The obvious benefit from the air in the lungs, as you have suggested, is that the oxygen allows you to kick underwater longer. The less obvious benefit is the buoyancy that the air gives you when you are kicking toward the surface. Ande writes about a similar concept with his patented suit surge. One thing to remember. There is no point kicking long underwater if you won't kick deep. Why? The surface effects are so detrimental that kicking dolphin on the surface is slower than swimming.

I have seen the nose clip in two fabulous swimmers: Leslie Livingston and Fabíola Molina. The first set a age record and the second just broke her own Brazilian and South American 50 LCM Backstroke record. Both were wearing the clips, both are hot, and both are my friends...(maybe Molina doesn't know that yet) hehehe....

Nose clip. I started using one years ago because the chlorinated water aggravated my allergies. The benefit for backstroke was an unexpected bonus. I always felt like a geek wearing it, like I wasn't a true swimmer or something. That all ended the day I was at a meet where I watched Aaron Peirsol use a nose clip in one of his backstroke races. If it's good enough for him...

Ok...I don't have a clue what this means Mr. Ross: "The second (and the method that I use) is to let "the water in the brain". I just expel the water after the race. By the way, that step is VERY important." I am tempted to make a joke or two at your expense but, seriously, are you just pulling our chain or are you referring to a willingness to just relax about where the water goes...or...or Can you explain this? thanks.

No chain pullin' from me. It is a bit of relaxing that is happening. I don't actively think to let the water in, but after the race is finished, a lot of water comes out.

That's helpful, thanks.

When water enters your sinuses it might bother you and it might not. Eventually when you bend over and at a certain head position some of that water might actively drip out, or not. My problem is when doing the flip turn, I just can't get the right pressure in the nose to not let any water in. So I blow out during the second part of the flip, thus making me want to take a breath fast as the C02 builds up due to my emptying lungs. I have yet to find a "good" nose clip. Those Speedos just don't do it for me. Remember the back flip turn? Those could fill up the sinuses well!

I'm basically a mouth-breather as I don't get much air breathing through my nose. My deviated septum allows me to make the "PU, something stinks" face and it pinches the nostrils closed quite well. During exercise these passages swell up a bit too. I usually just let a little air out during the turn itself. Now, if I could just kick fast underwater to put this to good use ...