In the article we will talk about what is applied swimming. We will deal with this concept thoroughly, and also try to find out what types of such physical activity exist. In fact, applied swimming plays a rather large role, which we will learn more about today.
Introduction to the topic
To begin with, swimming is a very important type of physical activity that is associated with different areas of human life. So, he has something in common with the working sphere, domestic and military. You need to understand that swimming is a skill that is very important for every person. An individual who behaves boldly in an aquatic environment is able to make informed decisions in case of danger, as well as fully control himself.
Especially it is necessary to be able to swim for those for whom this is an important labor skill, for example, workers in the sea and river fleet, hydroelectric power stations, etc. Also very often this skill becomes necessary for the military and rescue workers. In addition, water sports should be able to swim.
As for applied swimming, it represents a separate area of professional training for people who work in various rescue departments, as well as for all those whose work is somehow related to water immersion. Not everyone knows that such people are required to pass normative indicators in order to check and confirm the level of their qualifications.
What is it about?
So, applied swimming means that a person has the ability to stay on the water and carry out important manipulations. This kind of swimming is needed to resolve various life situations, for example, helping a drowning person, when towing or collecting some important samples from the bottom. At its core, applied swimming is that it combines various sports methods of orientation in the water, which allow you to adapt to different requirements and act in any case.
What does it consist of?
Since we already know about the importance of applied swimming, we will talk about what exactly it includes. So, these are various manipulations underwater, diving, rescue activities and help for those who are drowning or tired, extreme orientation, crossing obstacles, swimming combined, sports and non-sports styles.
Sports swimming
We begin to consider the types of applied swimming with sports styles. So, the breaststroke style is applicable in order to help a living being, to get and transfer a certain object. It is also necessary when diving, swimming in unsuitable clothes and for overcoming various obstacles. This style has a very large number of features that made it so popular in applied swimming.
Note that this style is applicable in various situations, it allows you to very quickly change the trajectory and speed. In addition, you can swim with a person dipped under water, or holding it above the surface. The great advantage of this style is that it provides excellent visibility. In addition, if you need to get rid of clothes underwater, then it is simple and convenient to do this if you are moving a breaststroke.
Crawl on the chest is the next type of sports style, which has its main value in that it allows you to quickly reach the goal. That is, this style of maneuvering under water allows you to swim to the desired object in a very short time. It is considered the fastest form of swimming.
There is also a dolphin style that is suitable for diving. It is especially effective if a person is in flippers. There is also a crawl style on the back, some movements of which can be used to deliver a living creature or cargo.
Not sports styles
We continue to consider applied swimming styles, namely those that are not sports.
The breaststroke on the back is applicable when resting, it makes it possible to overcome long distances. The fact is that with this type of movement you can only move your legs and completely remove the load on your hands. Also in this position it is convenient to transport the drowning person or to help a person who is tired.
Side swimming is most often used for transporting some items of considerable weight or towing people who have lost consciousness. The difference of this style is that it is convenient to swim in clothes, you can overcome long distances.
Swimming a crawl on a chest without arms is incredibly comfortable if you need to swim in an outfit that is not suitable for this. A crawl on the back without arms is used to save sentient beings and to deliver any items. Also, this style is often switched in order to relax after exercise.
Combined Styles
They consist in combining various movements from sports methods in order to move as efficiently as possible in water. Diving is a type of applied swimming when an individual needs to go under water for a long period of time and be there without the ability to breathe. Diving is necessary if you need to provide first aid, and also to overcome the distance during various military operations, to lift various cargoes from the bottom. Note that diving requires special skill and caution from the swimmer, since an excessively long stay without air under the surface of the water can harm health.
If a person dives in the dark or in bad weather, when visibility is insufficient, then he needs to stretch his arms forward. In order to increase the time spent under water, it is necessary to breathe more often and deeply, thus ensuring hyperventilation of the lungs. This must be done immediately before entering the water. But also such a procedure should be carried out immediately after diving in order to restore breathing. You can also extend your period under water with systematic training and using special techniques that allow you to hold your breath for a longer period.
It should also be noted: if the swimmer dives to a greater depth, then he can feel the pressure on the eardrum, which will manifest pain in the ears. To reduce this effect, it is necessary to simulate a swallowing reflex in order to equalize the pressure.
Diving can be carried out from the support and unsupported positions. So, when a person has some kind of support in the form of a shore or a pool, then this is called supporting immersion. If he dives directly in the water, then there is no support.
Equipment
We have already considered applied swimming techniques and methods in different styles, now we will talk about diving. They are performed from a standing position by the lower limbs or head first. The former are thrown forward in situations where the depth of the dive is unknown, and also if the bottom has not been explored. And this method is also used if a person dives in clothes. In all other situations, it is better to use a head first jump.
Jump forward technique: it is necessary to stand on the edge of the support and place the feet side by side. Hands should be clearly along the body and be pressed to it, but the head should be kept straight. Leaning a little, you should take a step forward with the right foot, and raise the left one from the support and in the air connect with the right foot. It is important to enter the water with stretched socks.
You can also jump forward with one more way. To do this, it is necessary to rest on a support, reduce your feet, after that bend your knees slightly, place your hands “at the seams” and squeeze. Keep your head straight. After that, you need to push off a bit, make a jump up and forward, while remaining in a vertical position. You also need to enter the water with stretched socks.
Leap forward
Jumping head first can also be done in two ways. It is necessary to stand on the edge of the support, bring your feet together, grasp the support with your toes, and stretch your arms up. After this, it is necessary to lean forward and bend your legs slightly. Then you need to push off with your feet and enter the water with a direct position of the body. In the second method, the jump is performed in the same way as you jump into the water to swim in the breaststroke, freestyle or butterfly.
Military applied swimming
It includes quite a few techniques, naturally, we will not consider each of them. But basically it consists in exemption from capture, transportation of a comrade, first aid, as well as transportation of important goods.
Consider a case that may arise if you need to free yourself from the capture of a drowning person. So, if he grabbed his hand, then there was no need to free himself from the seizure, because even in this situation he could be successfully brought to shore. However, if a person does not allow you to move yourself, then you should change the position of his body. Trying to get free, you yourself need to go a little under water, and push a drowning person up. The fact is that when a swimmer is fed a little down, the victim loosens his grip and tries to rise slightly above the surface of the water. After getting rid of the grip, you need to turn the person with his back to himself and immediately begin to move towards the shore.
Help
Note that the value of applied and recreational swimming is very great. At the same time, it is very important not only to navigate well under water and under water, but also to perform any manipulations, but also to provide first aid. Before you go on vacation or associate your life with professional activity, which intersects with the need to dive under water, carefully understand how to provide first aid to a person who has swallowed water.
Few people know that there are several types of drowning, and the first aid in them differs dramatically. In other words, if you act without analyzing the features of drowning, you can do more harm than good to a person. However, the study of applied swimming will allow you to feel confident in the water and navigate well in helping yourself and other people. You can also travel long distances, relax and, if necessary, participate in various rescue operations.
Effect on the body
Note that applied swimming has a very good effect on human health, providing a strengthening effect. It is more complicated than regular swimming, and therefore it trains the body better, makes it more maneuverable and stronger, capable of various physical tests.
In addition, this kind of activity has a very positive effect on the work of all the systems of our body. Systematic exercise allows you to develop a strong muscle system that provides strength and health. When swimming, there is a holding of breath, as well as training in general endurance, which has a very positive effect on the respiratory system of a person if you do not go to extremes and do not plague yourself with oxygen starvation. The lungs become sturdier, breathing deeper and calmer. Also, swimming is an excellent exercise that invigorates the whole body and improves blood circulation.