You long to spend long hot days splashing in the pool and showing off your swim strokes. Unfortunately, you have a fundamental problem that is impeding your progress in the water: You can't submerge yourself without having water flood your nose so that you come up sputtering. To conquer this issue you must consciously keep the water from entering by blowing air out of your nose. You can do this by humming and blowing bubbles out of your nose With practice you will no longer need these aids as keeping the water out will be automatic.
Step 1
Position yourself in very shallow water. Begin humming as you place your face in the water. Continue humming for a few moments. As long as you do this, water will not go up your nose and you will be able to begin getting comfortable with your face under the water.
Step 2
Practice swimming freestyle with your face in the water for a couple of seconds at a time. When you place your face downward in the pool, blow bubbles out of your nose to keep the water from coming in. Do this bubble blowing as long as you need to while you get the rhythm of your swim stroke, then practice taking breaks in the blowing so your body will learn to keep the water out while you propel yourself through the water.
Step 3
Practice holding your breath underwater. Dunk yourself under and have someone count the seconds before you surface. Hum or blow bubbles as needed to keep the water out. After some practice you will not need these techniques to keep from getting water up your nose. Work to gradually increase your time. This will help strengthen your lungs as well as train you not to inhale water.
Step 4
Learn to breathe to the side when you need to take a breath during swimming. According to Philly Fit, you need to quickly exhale at the end of the stroke you are performing right before you turn your head out of the water to inhale. This quick breath will help keep the water out of your nose and allow you to reduce the time it takes to take a breath and return your face to the water. At first, you might have trouble keeping the water from going up your nose, but with practice you will find yourself naturally adjusting so that you breathe in only when you are turned to take a breath. Turn over for a breath as often as needed until you master side breaths while keeping water out of your airways.
Step 5
Progress to bilateral breathing for a smoother swimming stroke and to learn to keep the water out of your nose when you breathe from either side. Competitor.com states that bilateral breathing will help you swim a smooth, efficient stroke as well. Again, take it slowly so you can build up without frustrating yourself. You might initially have problems with taking in water through your nose, but simply slow down until you build up your comfort level with the bilateral breaths. Remember to always hum or blow bubbles when water starts to flood your nasal passages.
Step 6
Practice diving into the water while humming to master this process without flooding your nose. This will probably be your greatest challenge as you learn to keep water out, so don't try it until you are comfortable swimming without getting water up your nose. Practice dives followed by a couple of strokes before you surface until you can perform the activity without consciously working to keep the water out.
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