I panic as soon as I know I can’t touch the bottom, I’m so sick of this fear, thank you for the video it gave me hope. Also you’re wife is awesome for pushing you to learn.
I started to learn swim a week ago but I had no fear in the pool. I also want to swim somewhere in the beautiful tropical sea where the fishes swim with me. But I have fear of gravel pit lakes or mine lakes (there are many in Hungary), and I never want to swim in a river.
wasn't sure if I had Thalassaphobia, but if I have aquaphobia mine if mild. Still remember going into the deep end of a pool and imagining a giant shark some how coming out. I rush outside the water every time that happens.
It’s actually really nice seeing someone with aquaphobia trying to teach people how to swim one place to another. Most people just try to push you into the water straight away and tell you it’s no big deal. Happy this guy knows what it’s like to freak out haha. Thanks for the video man!
I understand!! I totally freak out.. Its been 3days and i can't even float...rest of the class has reached floating with kicks.. And i freak out more as time passes
See if you can find "open swim" time in the shallow end at your pool outside of normal swimming lessons. Practice putting your head under water with your goggles on and your eyes open (that's really important to feel more confident with your face in the water), then floating with a kick board, floating against the side of the pool, and finally floating without anything. Just a few seconds at a time is fine. The breakthrough comes when you can float and kick at the same time, but it could take a long time. Make sure there is a lifeguard at the pool.
Darren Lipomi : Thanks a lot!! The thing is i am 157..the water at the shallow end reaches near my chin..i can't find a steady foothold if i miss.. And that thought freaks the hell out of me!! But i am not gonna stop!!! I will learn it!! Thanks a lot for the reply.. I think i should get a floating board and look for open swim time.. The training session crowded too.. With too many eyes making it even harder!! Thanks a ton!! Means a lot!!
Omg same..... I can't seem to float!!! My feet don't leave the pool floor. I can float when holding the side rods but without it I just can't.. it's my third week now and I don't know what to do anymore 😞 😔
Swimming instructors that have never been afraid of the water rarely know how to deal with beginners that have aquaphobia. Thank you for this .. your words are to live by. I'm 30 and I've started my journey to learn and I like to take my time without being pressured to jump into the next step. Your video helped a lot cause you keep reassuring me to take my time with it.
Thank you so much for this video! I have had a lifelong fear of certain swimming pools since a near drowning incident as a toddler. I have come a long way since childhood and even learned how to swim underwater but I have yet to learn how to swim laps for longer than 5 seconds without inhaling gallons of water or tiring and feeling like I'm going to drown. I also have yet to conquer my fear of the lap pool at the Y that's been haunting me since my childhood. I've begun to explore cognitive behavioral therapy to help overcome it but I was worried about things moving too fast. I'm so glad that I'm not alone and that there is no timetable on overcoming fears like these! Thanks for the tips!
Glad you found it helpful! It took me about six months starting from completely terrified to being able to swim freestyle for a minute without touching the bottom in a shallow pool. After that, going up to a mile was comparatively easy. For some reason, treading took longer to learn than freestyle. It's important when starting out to go really slow. Once you think you're going slow, go even slower.
I am so happy that I finally found someone who knows what I go through. It is very easy for the swimmers who are trying to teach me that there is nothing to fear of water or I am here and you won’t drown and they let you go thinking I will manage. Yes I don’t drown in 3-4ft water but I panic once I can’t touch my feet and start to find something to hold to. This is the sole reason I couldn’t learn to swim in all these years. I’m not afraid of going to the sea (a little far from the beach) because I know I can control my body, so I know I can learn. Thank you so much for understanding and sharing this video.
Great vídeo. I' m teaching my husband to swim and he is still terrified of getting water into his mouth when breathing....it's been a long way from his terror of water to practice breathing without sinking. It's been a long road, but we are moving from phobia to breathing issues. Nothing Hard work and a kickboard can't fix. Thank you so much.
Just a thought, what about a full face snorkel? It will completely covers his face, and prevent water from getting into his mouth. If his face is in the water, he can see what is below him and still breath easily. Maybe that will help him? I know for me, my fear was not being able to see the bottom and my imagination creating monsters below me ready to come up and get me. As long as I could see the bottom I was fine. That's where a snorkel helped me.
Please do more videos, my heart literally stop for a while once I enter the deep end by accident. I developed Aquaphobia when my friends and family members were on a pool trip with my church but when my aunt decided to teach me how to get over the fear of water she decided to let me go. "It's time to learn how to swim or move on your own pumpkin "she was like and u know what happens next. Ever since then I stick on the shallow waters, where I'm safe, I have asthma put on top of everything and when I get anxiety, those two together, it's a story all on it's own, holding my breath is another thing I got asthma for crying out loud. Well thanks for the videos, please do more, I really love the waters but afraid of death
So true..."technique is a distraction"...I find myself distracted while swimming worrying about proper technique... suddenly I had an "epiphany"...as long as I'm not sinking nor drowning and able to get back and forth in the pool while staying in my lane, I'm fine...after all, it's not as if I'm a competitive swimmer...I do it for exercise and enjoyment...breaststroke and butterfly are my preferred strokes...breathing, for me, is more difficult during freestyle...backstroke is relaxing, yet I am not good at calculating the wall distance by using the flags...
Thank you for spending time to help aquaphobic peeps like me who need to learn how to swim before getting back to school. Since my PE teachers a pain whenever I try to do what she tells me to.. I got a week before that happens.. I’m stressed out, can’t go in the pool since we’re getting in autumn soon.. MY HOPE IS LOST.
Thank you Darren. As a non-swimmer with a fear of the water, who has lived on the coast all my life, it is great to have someone who knows how debilitating that fear can be and explain clearly, with understanding, how to overcome it. Regards from Northern Ireland. 😀👍☘️
i am 23 and aquaphobic too. this video was very helpful . it gives me a hope that its not too late to learn swimming and overcome my fear of water. thanks a lot darren ♥
I am struggling so bad with my fear. When I'm in the bath its fine I can get my face wet and everything but as soon as I go to a pool I can't even get in without having an anxiety attack.
Great video. Exactly, swim class don’t take fear into consideration. We need someone like you. You give me hope. I am hear because I had another water nightmare last night. But I think floating is a LOT scarier than using the board!
You're right; most "beginner" swim instructors have no idea what it's like to be afraid of the water. For floating, I found it useful to get a good pair of tight-fitting goggles and literally hold my nose and mouth shut with my hand, so that I was sure nothing could get in.
I Have Aqua-phobia, It’s Hard To Live With Because Swimming Is A Survival Method, I Just Freeze Up When My Feet Can’t Touch The Bottom, It’s Like I Turn Into A Still Statue, And Thats Definitely Not Good.
I have come across several swimming tutorials on You Tube, and your channel is the best of them all. You explain it in a very easy way and demonstrates it at the same time. So, it made me feel that I will learn with confidence by watching your channel. It made me to subscribe as well.👌 From Jacksonville, Florida USA 🇺🇸🇵🇭
Ooh thanks so much. I feel terrible when my doctor said that the only save exercise to do for herniated disc is swimming. I didn't swim for ages. I got bad experience in the swimming pool n almost drowned. That's why I'm always scared of water. Finally I found your video that made me feel okay n motivated me to learn swimming. Thanks so much.
When I was very young, maybe 5 or 6 I went to a friends pool party, not really knowing how to swim, but my friends thought that I could just lay on a pool float and be fine. One thing though, being so young and not really watched by parents, we didn’t blow it up because we didn’t know. When we put it in the pool and I sat on it, I immediately sank and started to drown. I was out within seconds but it was still very scary as a child. Now I’m 19, and I don’t get consciously scared to get into a pool, but I get terrified when I try to float on my back or if I go near the deep end of the pool. I just wish I could swim like a normal person, hopefully this video helps!
Awesome video. I learned to swim at 23 at the college pool with a friend. Having goggle was extremely helpful for me as well as having someone to confide in about my fear and encouraging me. "Your just trying to not die" ....my version was "your just trying to make it to the other side of the pool" I still can't swim underwater or tread water for very long but its great being able to enjoy some swimming holes finally.
I've gotten over putting my head under water. I just need to get comfortable letting my body float but I feel like ive lost control >.< Thanks for the video and relating with us
One time my brother was using a noodle to float in a pool 7 ft deep part and it slipped and he started going under and breathed some water so I grabbed him and pulled him into the 5 ft part so he can stand and he has been scared of the water since
Thank you for this video! IT IS REALLY HELPFUL! I almost drowned 5 times in the swimming pool because my mom was forcing me to learn how to swim. I think that is half the reason why I’m so afraid of swimming.
That was helpful. My sister and I are considering going back to swim we tried once for eight weeks a long time ago.but lost our skill because of fear. Thanku we'll keep watching
I’m soo impressed by you time management skills. How do you manage writings grants, papers, lectures, your lab and what not extra society activities, maintain such an active Twitter account and have a physique like that! Pls make a video on time hack for PhD students
Thanks Aadithya. Glad you find my stuff useful. I do have a time management video here ruclips.net/video/mGRViKsQR8I/видео.html but there is not much about extracurriculars. If I had 25h in a day I would make a separate channel called "good enough fitness for busy people" :)
I know how to swim now! When i was in school i thought i could not swim. And i could not swim at all! And then when i was 4th grade we had to go swimming. And i could not swim at all! But after a few months i could swim but only if my head was above water. And i thought that i could not swim underwater. And we had to do it with no goggles! When we had to get rings from the bottom of the pool, i could not do it. And what i would do was, i would just go underwater but without diving and just trying to find it. And i did! So now i found out that i could not swim under water just because i could not open my eyes. But now that i finished 4th grade and got myself goggles, i could swim how i wanted and i could do everything!
Thanks for this video. The reason why i didn't overcome this fear is bc our teacher rushed us to learn how to swim, in under 3 weeks! The pool starts at 4 ft deep until it reaches 6ft where my height is 5.1ft. I'm always stressed, freaking out, and just not used to this and i didn't know how to swim and overcome my fear. I could've already died if i took that risk for nothing. This video.. really helped me out.
At last, a swimming instruction video that is empathetic, understanding and non judgmental, and doesn't assume all (mature) non swimmers are somehow 'odd'. How refreshing and encouraging. Thank you from a 61 year old non swimmer. Oh by the way, how do you avoid ingesting water into your nose when you turn your head to breathe in ?
Darren. How long did it take you to learn to swim from start to finish? I am starting to take some lessons. To be honest being under water is a phobia to me. I also have a big fear of just letting go on the water to float. I am 36 now. Sure regret not taking swimming classes when I was young. Ironically I love water sports. But I am trying to learn to swim to keep myself safe. I fell off a jetski last year in Cancun and that was very scary to me. Luckily I had a life jacket. But at that moment when I pulled myself out into the jetski I knew that I had no choice but to learn how to swim. Can you please tell me how long and approximately how many sessions it took you through each of the positions above before you actually started swimming? Please give me as much detail as possible. You would be helping a HUGE lot ...thank you.
Hi Sergio, it took about 4 months going to the pool for an hour 2x per week. At the end I could swim a mile without putting my feet down. But, a lot of that time was wasted on "technique" that wasn't going to help save my life. The biggest breakthroughs came when (1) I got a pair of goggles that helped me just float there (goggles are HUGELY important) and (2) one of the lifeguards told me to SLOW DOWN when attempting to do freestyle. Would a video on treading help? Treading is arguably more important than swimming for the sake of water safety.
Darren Lipomi any information you can give me will be highly appreciated. I had a close call in Cancun when I fell off that jetski. I took a big gulf of ocean water trying to pull myself to the surface. I could see the sun rays from beneath the water line. I thought to myself “ is this it?” . I guess you can say I also panicked since I knew I couldn’t swim. This is why my family has pressured me to learn to swim. But they don’t understand that I have a phobia for being under water. Tell me more on how you overcame the phobia yourself. How did you finally let go?
Somehow you have to force yourself to spend more time in the water (shallow end) with someone you trust. It can take a really long time to overcome this phobia, but if you are just exposed to the water, putting your head under water, floating, etc., you will eventually start to feel more comfortable. Most "learn to swim" classes go too fast for most people who are terrified of the water, because the instructor doesn't understand what it's like to have this fear.
Darren Lipomi just wanted to thank you. Thank so much for all the advice. I am actually swimming. Thanks to your video I’ve learned to conquer my fear of being underwater. I have done it. I’m not a pro but I have actually gotten to where I wanted to. Thanks for taking the time to educate people here on RUclips. You are making a difference. It’s important that I came here to say that you helped me get there....
Hi Sergio, thanks so much for posting this comment. I hesitated for a long time posting my story publicly, but I thought that if it inspired even one person to learn to swim, it would be worth it. You made my day.
im afraid of drowning as soon as i dont touch the bottom i go panic and after panicking i go lost a breath and i drown and thankfully my family saved me and i wanted to fight it even though i tried to control it....it doesnt work panic fights over the control im having
I had underlying problems with my shoulder due to a previous injury and one day while at pool even though I knew how to swim I accident entered the deep end and I panicked and waved my had so fast it dislocated. It took 8 years for me layer to enter the pool. Now I’m practicing it well and being more confident.
Hii, i’m 17 and I’m so scared of water that I can’t even hold my breath for a second under the water. I tried taking some lessons but I couldn’t stay under the water and I even drowned in a pool where I was able to put my feet at the ground. I feel like the water is getting through my ears and nose and that’s very uncomfortable for me and scary. I would appreciate if you could help me with this issue.
Hi Rita, there may be classes in your area specifically for people with a fear of the water. You will need a lot of supervised time in shallow water. You'll have to be patient and take it one step at a time. Good luck!!
Samee! Today was my first lesson and i felt like I couldn’t inhale in fully to exhale later on and blow the bubbles it was probably bcz I wasn’t relaxed. When i started getting the hang of it, i started keeping just my nose in the water while blowing bubbles then dipped myself fully into it. Finally i could be in the water for few more seconds. So start with just exhaling from your nose in the half floating position
Hello, I enjoyed watching you swim. I have never learned. I am afraid of the water because of a near drowning when I was 10 years old. ever since then I never learned. I am now 62 years old and I think it might be nice to tread water on these very hot days in New York City. nice swimming pool. where are you located? In the recent past, I had and tried to learn with too much fear.
well on other thing in my life what i will abandon. To learn to swim. Grate video and apreciate the effort to show it how to do it. Sudently i cant do it somewhere the fear and the mind can not uderstand this so one more thing to avoid in my life.
I hate how swimming is compulsory in my school I know how to swim ok because I used to do it on primary school but now in high school my fear increased massively, I skip as much as I can, trying to make excuses every time and I've done about 4 lessons in all my high school years so far. Tbh I was glad for lockdown so I didn't have to do swimming in school. I'm just scared of everything there, feeling insecure, I don't feel clean, feeling like I'm going to drown. Why tf do the teachers want us to put our face underwater?? The smell of chlorine sets me on edge even more. Human eyes aren't made to see underwater it's so stupid. It's embarrassing too because I use a woggle to help me swim and I'm like the only one. I feel unsafe and I don't get why tf I have to do it. I'm never going to travel abroad, floods rarely ever happen where I live, and it's just stupid how it's "important" for life. People could use that time to learn more important life things like self-defence. It's stupid
I had all of these thoughts in middle school when we were forced to swim. It took another 13 years for me to finally learn, but when I did, it was maybe the most empowering feeling I ever had. Not just conquering a fear, but being able to enjoy what most of the rest of the planet already seems to. Take care and good luck.
I can swim I’m just not a strong swimmer, and I was out at a lake with my friends and swimming back I just got this sudden awareness that if I for some reason couldn’t swim anymore or got tired I would drown because there were no walls to swim to. So I had an anxiety attack out in the water and it got hard to breathe and I tensed up and it was very difficult to swim and I barely made it back to the shore, I don’t think my friends realized how bad it could have been, but ever since I’ve been uneasy with the water
I'm 20 and most people just don't understand what it's like for us non-swimmers. I've had two drowning experience, one from my childhood I remember but didn't really effect me too much but just recently where a friend who didn't know I couldn't swim pushed me into the deep end and I legit thought I was going to die in that moment. Because of those two experiences, but really the more recent one, being underwater is extremely panic inducing, the pool itself is off-putting and jokes like "take him to the deep end hahaha" is essentially like holding a loaded gun to my head and saying "I'm gonna pull the trigger hahaha" "why are you so scared, we're just going to kill you" is what it sounds like. We can't just relax, when we're in something that has tried two times before to kill me. It takes a lot of time and in my opinion people who push people into pools are attempting murder.
With you up too ditching the kick board. Can’t bring myself to let go of the board without freaking out. I’m now in a position where I feel sorry for my instructor, he must be thinking’ what the hells going on’. This has been going on for months. Don’t feel that I’m any further forward now than 6 months ago when I started lessons.
Thank you! Was wondering if you could make a video on jumping into the deep end. Not like a diving video. I know how to swim, I'm just afraid to jump in...
I don't have pools, we have river and that's 3 times deeper than me,when I look down I started shaking, and today was a worst day for me and I didn't jumb
I can do several things without having to put my face under. Doggy paddle (hard on the neck, maybe if I learned to let my legs dangle a bit the neck could relax more), sick fish (doggy paddle tipped on your side with one ear in the water), and sort of back stroke (floating on the back, doing somewhat random movements for propulsion). I can use my legs to kick/flick and whatever the frog kick thing is called. On my stomach I mostly do the front doggy paddle movement, but on my back I don't know what my arm movements could be likened to, but they work at the same time instead of alternating. The pseudo backstroke is new as of today, I was inspired by my practicing getting my legs back under me from a float, and I did start working on blowing bubbles.
I had people try to teach me to swim periodically throughput my childhood, but I didn't learn anything until after college when I found a book in the library, something like Teach Yourself to Swim Even if You Are Afraid of the Water. Just like I learned how to ride a bike, I couldn't do it until I was ready. Until then it didn't matter what anyone said to me, it was all too much. The book broke it down starting in the baby pool, but I never did get to putting my face under. I can even "swim" in the deep end without fear, I just can't handle putting my face under water yet.
Hey Darren, when it comes to swimming I am terrible! I am too afraid to lift my legs up but I can dive my head under. Any tips on that? I've tried holding against the edge and kicking my legs to get used to it, it wont help!
This is the first challenge I had to get over too. At the beginning, don't worry about breathing. Just get a good pair of goggles, hold your breath, and try to float for 5 seconds in the shallow end. It's stressful to try to keep your eyes closed and to worry about breathing at the very beginning. Keep with it!
frostberri = Oh my GOD this is my problem too i can't lift my legs up without holding on something the corner or on people. Oh i really try but the fear is overwhelming.
Last time i went into a pool was a summer camp in 2017 where we did survival stuff. So yeah youve got 13 yr old me who’s terrified of swimming because he nearly drowned at a friends party years before being put into a scenario where hes constantly watched and being forced to pretend he’s in a survival situation. Yeah i think the staff realised because at the end of it they canceled the extra swim fun session.
i have this fear but not as bad as a lot of people. i do like to swim, but not alone or in lakes or oceans. i just cant swim in oceans, lakes, or alone edit : also when im watching videos and an area of water shows up (like a lake or ocean) it just scares me and i cant look at it
i love this, you make me want to learn to swim, I have a fear of water from childhood and cant seem to get past step two..I feel like I dont float its, scary
Thanks for the kind words. It really helps to have well fitting goggles when learning to float. If you need to hold your nose closed with your hands at first, that can help too. Make sure you do it in a shallow pool where you can easily touch the bottom. Good luck!
snorkeling helped me get a handle on my fear of the lake near my cabin . when your snorkel goes under the water when your not expecting it too and you cant get your breathe of air, that's a little concerning but you eventually figure it out. better then breathing in water. plus if you get water in your mask you can blow it out your snorkel, that was an epiphany i only panicked about 5 times and only swallowed water once . I probably should have watched the video on snorkeling before trying I just figured you breath in it lol. I did realize I could breathe in more air then snorkel would allow quickly
I was thinking about that recently..i need to learn how to swim🙈 ..btw i was following the prof for a while now but I just realized why he looks very familiar ..he looks like Andrew Garfield 😅
Meh I am a bit afraid of deep water... Wait. In one day was raining and I was with a friend... I was like "Damn that's too wet! I don't want to get wet now!" He was like "Are you afraid?" He annoyed me...Until I pushed him, in the night time in the pool. That was funny!😂
I am trying breathing in freestyle and I find it to be really difficult and exhausting. Even though I can swim breast stroke with my head underwater and can do few laps in that so definitely don't have any issue in exhaling underwater and then inhaling when my head is up. I just can't figure why am I not able to breathe smoothly in freestyle. I have noticed few things though two things which can make breathing easier in freestyle is body rotation your body should rotate when you are pulling with your one arm. If I'm pulling through my right arm then my body should rotate at least 30 40 deg so that my belly button is facing side of the pool. Secondly your leading arm the left one in the previous example should be straight nd stretched so that when you rotate your head to take a breath it can support the movement and your head/upper body doesn't sink and you have nothing to breathe but water all over your face.
I panic as soon as I know I can’t touch the bottom, I’m so sick of this fear, thank you for the video it gave me hope. Also you’re wife is awesome for pushing you to learn.
Glad it is helpful, thanks!
Joy 7 my feelings exactly
same and i’m going to the pool tomorrow pray for me aha
Joy 7 Same feeling Sissy.
I started to learn swim a week ago but I had no fear in the pool. I also want to swim somewhere in the beautiful tropical sea where the fishes swim with me. But I have fear of gravel pit lakes or mine lakes (there are many in Hungary), and I never want to swim in a river.
What regular people see in the pool: Clear and clean
What people with aquaphobia see in the pool: *A deep ocean*
Yes this is very true
wasn't sure if I had Thalassaphobia, but if I have aquaphobia mine if mild. Still remember going into the deep end of a pool and imagining a giant shark some how coming out. I rush outside the water every time that happens.
Yes almost true
Hey how’s the past
True even the kiddie pool scares me.
It’s actually really nice seeing someone with aquaphobia trying to teach people how to swim one place to another. Most people just try to push you into the water straight away and tell you it’s no big deal. Happy this guy knows what it’s like to freak out haha. Thanks for the video man!
Thanks! Glad you found it helpful :)
@@djlipomi Thank you Darren. This video was very helpful! I like how you are normalizing that it takes time to get used to each step of the process.
@@swatig7223 So glad it was helpful!
I am sad because I can't swim and there are always friends that invite me and I have to make up excuses
Yeah, I did exactly the same thing. It sucks because no one who is not afraid of the water understands what it's like to be.
Inspiring Brooke same
Same INFACT IM DRIVING TO A SWIMMING CLASS NOW >:[ THAT DON’T TEACH US ANYTHING
Yeah, ik how ya feel. I can't swim either 😭
IKR 😭😭😭😭😭 me and my family went tubing down a river and I dipped out of there
Probably the most soothing swimming lesson
Thanks!
Thanks again...episode 2: ruclips.net/video/wG-5QMeoCyk/видео.html
I understand!! I totally freak out.. Its been 3days and i can't even float...rest of the class has reached floating with kicks.. And i freak out more as time passes
See if you can find "open swim" time in the shallow end at your pool outside of normal swimming lessons. Practice putting your head under water with your goggles on and your eyes open (that's really important to feel more confident with your face in the water), then floating with a kick board, floating against the side of the pool, and finally floating without anything. Just a few seconds at a time is fine. The breakthrough comes when you can float and kick at the same time, but it could take a long time. Make sure there is a lifeguard at the pool.
Darren Lipomi : Thanks a lot!! The thing is i am 157..the water at the shallow end reaches near my chin..i can't find a steady foothold if i miss.. And that thought freaks the hell out of me!! But i am not gonna stop!!! I will learn it!! Thanks a lot for the reply.. I think i should get a floating board and look for open swim time.. The training session crowded too.. With too many eyes making it even harder!! Thanks a ton!! Means a lot!!
Me too im so sad and sick of not knowing hoow to swim
deepthy justin i breathed and put air in my lungs and i jump then kicking my legs and hand it didnt work
Omg same..... I can't seem to float!!! My feet don't leave the pool floor. I can float when holding the side rods but without it I just can't.. it's my third week now and I don't know what to do anymore 😞 😔
Swimming instructors that have never been afraid of the water rarely know how to deal with beginners that have aquaphobia. Thank you for this .. your words are to live by. I'm 30 and I've started my journey to learn and I like to take my time without being pressured to jump into the next step. Your video helped a lot cause you keep reassuring me to take my time with it.
Thanks so much for the kind words. I'm very happy you found my video helpful.
I was literally having problem breathing whenever he put his head below the water 😂
Same
anonymous me
But aren’t you spongebob??
@@nikita__8273 good question, very good question
@@nikita__8273 good question, very good question
Same
Thank you so much for this video! I have had a lifelong fear of certain swimming pools since a near drowning incident as a toddler. I have come a long way since childhood and even learned how to swim underwater but I have yet to learn how to swim laps for longer than 5 seconds without inhaling gallons of water or tiring and feeling like I'm going to drown. I also have yet to conquer my fear of the lap pool at the Y that's been haunting me since my childhood. I've begun to explore cognitive behavioral therapy to help overcome it but I was worried about things moving too fast. I'm so glad that I'm not alone and that there is no timetable on overcoming fears like these! Thanks for the tips!
Glad you found it helpful! It took me about six months starting from completely terrified to being able to swim freestyle for a minute without touching the bottom in a shallow pool. After that, going up to a mile was comparatively easy. For some reason, treading took longer to learn than freestyle. It's important when starting out to go really slow. Once you think you're going slow, go even slower.
I'm going to learn to swim 🏊 dammit! There. I said it. I'm committed now. 😀
Swim in the shallow part of the water first
Same I signed up for swimming lessons and start in a month but I have to pay for swimming goggles with prescription since I wear glasses
I am so happy that I finally found someone who knows what I go through. It is very easy for the swimmers who are trying to teach me that there is nothing to fear of water or I am here and you won’t drown and they let you go thinking I will manage. Yes I don’t drown in 3-4ft water but I panic once I can’t touch my feet and start to find something to hold to. This is the sole reason I couldn’t learn to swim in all these years. I’m not afraid of going to the sea (a little far from the beach) because I know I can control my body, so I know I can learn. Thank you so much for understanding and sharing this video.
Very glad I was helpful!
Great vídeo. I' m teaching my husband to swim and he is still terrified of getting water into his mouth when breathing....it's been a long way from his terror of water to practice breathing without sinking. It's been a long road, but we are moving from phobia to breathing issues. Nothing Hard work and a kickboard can't fix.
Thank you so much.
Thanks! Glad the video is helping.
You should try to give him a noodle that can support his weight and remember to always blow bubbles when the head is in the water..
Just a thought, what about a full face snorkel? It will completely covers his face, and prevent water from getting into his mouth. If his face is in the water, he can see what is below him and still breath easily. Maybe that will help him? I know for me, my fear was not being able to see the bottom and my imagination creating monsters below me ready to come up and get me. As long as I could see the bottom I was fine. That's where a snorkel helped me.
@@jonathanpillet3458 front snorkel worked wonders. So, yeah, I recommend It.
Full face? Not so sure.
From zero to not die 👍👍
Please do more videos, my heart literally stop for a while once I enter the deep end by accident. I developed Aquaphobia when my friends and family members were on a pool trip with my church but when my aunt decided to teach me how to get over the fear of water she decided to let me go. "It's time to learn how to swim or move on your own pumpkin "she was like and u know what happens next. Ever since then I stick on the shallow waters, where I'm safe, I have asthma put on top of everything and when I get anxiety, those two together, it's a story all on it's own, holding my breath is another thing I got asthma for crying out loud. Well thanks for the videos, please do more, I really love the waters but afraid of death
Thanks for the story! I'll try to do another one.
It may sound stupid, but I’m scared to float. I’m scared to let the water take co ntrol. Can someone please help?
Some combination of good goggles, the shallow end (like 3 feet or less), and holding your nose with your hand can help get you over this hump.
Me too😭😭😭
Sunnism EXPOSED: The Hidden Sect No🌝🌝
So true..."technique is a distraction"...I find myself distracted while swimming worrying about proper technique... suddenly I had an "epiphany"...as long as I'm not sinking nor drowning and able to get back and forth in the pool while staying in my lane, I'm fine...after all, it's not as if I'm a competitive swimmer...I do it for exercise and enjoyment...breaststroke and butterfly are my preferred strokes...breathing, for me, is more difficult during freestyle...backstroke is relaxing, yet I am not good at calculating the wall distance by using the flags...
Exactly! So glad you found this video supportive.
I love what you said about not worrying about technique, getting used to tge water first makes so much sense
Thank you for spending time to help aquaphobic peeps like me who need to learn how to swim before getting back to school. Since my PE teachers a pain whenever I try to do what she tells me to.. I got a week before that happens.. I’m stressed out, can’t go in the pool since we’re getting in autumn soon.. MY HOPE IS LOST.
Nooo! Don't lose hope or your progress. Try to find an indoor pool?
When you get back to the pool, maybe you can try treading: ruclips.net/video/wG-5QMeoCyk/видео.html
Recently started swimming lessons, its great to conquer my fear of drowning.
Good for you! Good luck!
Thank you Darren. As a non-swimmer with a fear of the water, who has lived on the coast all my life, it is great to have someone who knows how debilitating that fear can be and explain clearly, with understanding, how to overcome it. Regards from Northern Ireland. 😀👍☘️
I hear you! So glad the video was helpful.
i am 23 and aquaphobic too. this video was very helpful . it gives me a hope that its not too late to learn swimming and overcome my fear of water. thanks a lot darren ♥
I am struggling so bad with my fear. When I'm in the bath its fine I can get my face wet and everything but as soon as I go to a pool I can't even get in without having an anxiety attack.
Can u dip ur feet in the water? Wait did u try swimming with someone u trust and still got an anxiety attack
From 0 to “not drowning”? LOVE it!!!
Thanks!
this looks funny for someone who already know how to swim but i learned how to swim the exact same way he's showimg on the video
Cool!
I love how relaxed this lesson is. Certainly helpful, thank you!
Thanks!
Hey i saw u comment on a nother swimming lesson so u realy want to learn swimming like meh
Great video. Exactly, swim class don’t take fear into consideration. We need someone like you. You give me hope. I am hear because I had another water nightmare last night. But I think floating is a LOT scarier than using the board!
You're right; most "beginner" swim instructors have no idea what it's like to be afraid of the water. For floating, I found it useful to get a good pair of tight-fitting goggles and literally hold my nose and mouth shut with my hand, so that I was sure nothing could get in.
"You're just trying to not die" me every time at the beach, even tho I can somewhat swim😂
Ha, hope it's useful advice :)
I Have Aqua-phobia, It’s Hard To Live With Because Swimming Is A Survival Method, I Just Freeze Up When My Feet Can’t Touch The Bottom, It’s Like I Turn Into A Still Statue, And Thats Definitely Not Good.
You don't even know how helpful this video is, oh well, now you know :) Really well-done, thank you!
Thanks Daniel!
I have come across several swimming tutorials on You Tube, and your channel is the best of them all. You explain it in a very easy way and demonstrates it at the same time. So, it made me feel that I will learn with confidence by watching your channel. It made me to subscribe as well.👌 From Jacksonville, Florida USA 🇺🇸🇵🇭
Cool, thanks!
Ooh thanks so much. I feel terrible when my doctor said that the only save exercise to do for herniated disc is swimming. I didn't swim for ages. I got bad experience in the swimming pool n almost drowned. That's why I'm always scared of water. Finally I found your video that made me feel okay n motivated me to learn swimming. Thanks so much.
Thanks and glad you found it helpful!
I have both aqua and tallasophobia this video really help me thx dude
Sure! Glad it was helpful.
Check out Episode 2, on treading water: ruclips.net/video/wG-5QMeoCyk/видео.html
Took me a week to learn how to swim now I'm doing backdrops into the deep ends of the lakes
How old are you ?
When I was very young, maybe 5 or 6 I went to a friends pool party, not really knowing how to swim, but my friends thought that I could just lay on a pool float and be fine. One thing though, being so young and not really watched by parents, we didn’t blow it up because we didn’t know. When we put it in the pool and I sat on it, I immediately sank and started to drown. I was out within seconds but it was still very scary as a child. Now I’m 19, and I don’t get consciously scared to get into a pool, but I get terrified when I try to float on my back or if I go near the deep end of the pool. I just wish I could swim like a normal person, hopefully this video helps!
Thanks for the story, I hope it helps!
Awesome video. I learned to swim at 23 at the college pool with a friend. Having goggle was extremely helpful for me as well as having someone to confide in about my fear and encouraging me. "Your just trying to not die" ....my version was "your just trying to make it to the other side of the pool" I still can't swim underwater or tread water for very long but its great being able to enjoy some swimming holes finally.
Thanks for sharing your story!
I've gotten over putting my head under water. I just need to get comfortable letting my body float but I feel like ive lost control >.< Thanks for the video and relating with us
No problem! Goggles and holding your nose shut with your fingers helps with floating at the beginning.
@@djlipomi thanks for the tip!
One time my brother was using a noodle to float in a pool 7 ft deep part and it slipped and he started going under and breathed some water so I grabbed him and pulled him into the 5 ft part so he can stand and he has been scared of the water since
Me: he looks like 19-21
Him: my wife made me take swimming lessons-
Me: wait *wife??*
Ha, thanks. Hope the video was helpful!
Lol i read that as he said it
Thank you for this video! IT IS REALLY HELPFUL! I almost drowned 5 times in the swimming pool because my mom was forcing me to learn how to swim. I think that is half the reason why I’m so afraid of swimming.
So glad it is helpful!!
Thank you so much, i have terrible fear of pools, the sea etc. I even have an trouble of washing myself.
Thanks for that. It was very helpful. Kudos to your wife.
Thanks!
please make a second part for the deep end
That was helpful. My sister and I are considering going back to swim we tried once for eight weeks a long time ago.but lost our skill because of fear. Thanku we'll keep watching
Thanks and good luck!
I’m soo impressed by you time management skills. How do you manage writings grants, papers, lectures, your lab and what not extra society activities, maintain such an active Twitter account and have a physique like that! Pls make a video on time hack for PhD students
Thanks Aadithya. Glad you find my stuff useful. I do have a time management video here ruclips.net/video/mGRViKsQR8I/видео.html but there is not much about extracurriculars. If I had 25h in a day I would make a separate channel called "good enough fitness for busy people" :)
0:01 HOW DO U DO THAT!??!?! I CAN'T GO A CENTIMETER UNDERNEATH A SWIMMING POOL WITHOUT SCREAMING
Lol jk this is rlly helpful thx
keep trying i wasnt able to a few days ago and get rly good goggles and its amazing
Bastard Lisa Smith you are scamming
I know how to swim now!
When i was in school i thought i could not swim. And i could not swim at all! And then when i was 4th grade we had to go swimming. And i could not swim at all! But after a few months i could swim but only if my head was above water. And i thought that i could not swim underwater. And we had to do it with no goggles! When we had to get rings from the bottom of the pool, i could not do it. And what i would do was, i would just go underwater but without diving and just trying to find it. And i did!
So now i found out that i could not swim under water just because i could not open my eyes. But now that i finished 4th grade and got myself goggles, i could swim how i wanted and i could do everything!
Great work!
@@djlipomi thank you 👍🏻❤
Just the sound of water dripping down after you soaked your head in the water give me chills
Keep at it!
Thanks for this video. The reason why i didn't overcome this fear is bc our teacher rushed us to learn how to swim, in under 3 weeks! The pool starts at 4 ft deep until it reaches 6ft where my height is 5.1ft. I'm always stressed, freaking out, and just not used to this and i didn't know how to swim and overcome my fear. I could've already died if i took that risk for nothing. This video.. really helped me out.
So glad to hear it was helpful!
At last, a swimming instruction video that is empathetic, understanding and non judgmental, and doesn't assume all (mature) non swimmers are somehow 'odd'. How refreshing and encouraging. Thank you from a 61 year old non swimmer.
Oh by the way, how do you avoid ingesting water into your nose when you turn your head to breathe in ?
Thanks for the great comment and so glad to know my video was helpful to you!
I don't get how to do the 4th step, to float :(
Anyway, I'm going to try this soon. Thanks!
Darren. How long did it take you to learn to swim from start to finish? I am starting to take some lessons. To be honest being under water is a phobia to me. I also have a big fear of just letting go on the water to float. I am 36 now. Sure regret not taking swimming classes when I was young. Ironically I love water sports. But I am trying to learn to swim to keep myself safe. I fell off a jetski last year in Cancun and that was very scary to me. Luckily I had a life jacket. But at that moment when I pulled myself out into the jetski I knew that I had no choice but to learn how to swim. Can you please tell me how long and approximately how many sessions it took you through each of the positions above before you actually started swimming? Please give me as much detail as possible. You would be helping a HUGE lot ...thank you.
Hi Sergio, it took about 4 months going to the pool for an hour 2x per week. At the end I could swim a mile without putting my feet down. But, a lot of that time was wasted on "technique" that wasn't going to help save my life. The biggest breakthroughs came when (1) I got a pair of goggles that helped me just float there (goggles are HUGELY important) and (2) one of the lifeguards told me to SLOW DOWN when attempting to do freestyle. Would a video on treading help? Treading is arguably more important than swimming for the sake of water safety.
Darren Lipomi any information you can give me will be highly appreciated. I had a close call in Cancun when I fell off that jetski. I took a big gulf of ocean water trying to pull myself to the surface. I could see the sun rays from beneath the water line. I thought to myself “ is this it?” . I guess you can say I also panicked since I knew I couldn’t swim. This is why my family has pressured me to learn to swim. But they don’t understand that I have a phobia for being under water. Tell me more on how you overcame the phobia yourself. How did you finally let go?
Somehow you have to force yourself to spend more time in the water (shallow end) with someone you trust. It can take a really long time to overcome this phobia, but if you are just exposed to the water, putting your head under water, floating, etc., you will eventually start to feel more comfortable. Most "learn to swim" classes go too fast for most people who are terrified of the water, because the instructor doesn't understand what it's like to have this fear.
Darren Lipomi just wanted to thank you. Thank so much for all the advice. I am actually swimming. Thanks to your video I’ve learned to conquer my fear of being underwater. I have done it. I’m not a pro but I have actually gotten to where I wanted to. Thanks for taking the time to educate people here on RUclips. You are making a difference. It’s important that I came here to say that you helped me get there....
Hi Sergio, thanks so much for posting this comment. I hesitated for a long time posting my story publicly, but I thought that if it inspired even one person to learn to swim, it would be worth it. You made my day.
as someone who is teaching themselves as an adult, thank you for the video!
Wow yr pool looks so beautiful so nice, thank u so much for sharing yr helpful information yr amazing
im afraid of drowning as soon as i dont touch the bottom i go panic and after panicking i go lost a breath and i drown and thankfully my family saved me and i wanted to fight it even though i tried to control it....it doesnt work panic fights over the control im having
My fear was trying to go under water but I did it in a tub then I could go under water in a pool
I had underlying problems with my shoulder due to a previous injury and one day while at pool even though I knew how to swim I accident entered the deep end and I panicked and waved my had so fast it dislocated. It took 8 years for me layer to enter the pool. Now I’m practicing it well and being more confident.
Hii, i’m 17 and I’m so scared of water that I can’t even hold my breath for a second under the water. I tried taking some lessons but I couldn’t stay under the water and I even drowned in a pool where I was able to put my feet at the ground. I feel like the water is getting through my ears and nose and that’s very uncomfortable for me and scary. I would appreciate if you could help me with this issue.
Hi Rita, there may be classes in your area specifically for people with a fear of the water. You will need a lot of supervised time in shallow water. You'll have to be patient and take it one step at a time. Good luck!!
Samee! Today was my first lesson and i felt like I couldn’t inhale in fully to exhale later on and blow the bubbles it was probably bcz I wasn’t relaxed. When i started getting the hang of it, i started keeping just my nose in the water while blowing bubbles then dipped myself fully into it. Finally i could be in the water for few more seconds. So start with just exhaling from your nose in the half floating position
Thanks! Very well done, covering all angles!
Thanks!
I am from Bangalore INDIA. Thanks for the great video.
Most welcome!
Hello, I enjoyed watching you swim. I have never learned. I am afraid of the water because of a near drowning when I was 10 years old. ever since then I never learned. I am now 62 years old and I think it might be nice to tread water on these very hot days in New York City. nice swimming pool. where are you located? In the recent past, I had and tried to learn with too much fear.
thanks for making it slow :) I am new and afraid of water
Glad you find it useful!
i know how to swim but im afraid of the deep end
well on other thing in my life what i will abandon. To learn to swim. Grate video and apreciate the effort to show it how to do it. Sudently i cant do it somewhere the fear and the mind can not uderstand this so one more thing to avoid in my life.
I hate how swimming is compulsory in my school I know how to swim ok because I used to do it on primary school but now in high school my fear increased massively, I skip as much as I can, trying to make excuses every time and I've done about 4 lessons in all my high school years so far. Tbh I was glad for lockdown so I didn't have to do swimming in school. I'm just scared of everything there, feeling insecure, I don't feel clean, feeling like I'm going to drown. Why tf do the teachers want us to put our face underwater?? The smell of chlorine sets me on edge even more. Human eyes aren't made to see underwater it's so stupid. It's embarrassing too because I use a woggle to help me swim and I'm like the only one. I feel unsafe and I don't get why tf I have to do it. I'm never going to travel abroad, floods rarely ever happen where I live, and it's just stupid how it's "important" for life. People could use that time to learn more important life things like self-defence. It's stupid
I had all of these thoughts in middle school when we were forced to swim. It took another 13 years for me to finally learn, but when I did, it was maybe the most empowering feeling I ever had. Not just conquering a fear, but being able to enjoy what most of the rest of the planet already seems to. Take care and good luck.
My story! Feels so reassuring
Glad it was helpful!
The dang drain. I panic when I'm above it. Avoided the deep end for years. Can't so it 😂
When he put his head underwater i choked on my spit
I can swim I’m just not a strong swimmer, and I was out at a lake with my friends and swimming back I just got this sudden awareness that if I for some reason couldn’t swim anymore or got tired I would drown because there were no walls to swim to. So I had an anxiety attack out in the water and it got hard to breathe and I tensed up and it was very difficult to swim and I barely made it back to the shore, I don’t think my friends realized how bad it could have been, but ever since I’ve been uneasy with the water
Same bruh😭😭😭
I'm 20 and most people just don't understand what it's like for us non-swimmers. I've had two drowning experience, one from my childhood I remember but didn't really effect me too much but just recently where a friend who didn't know I couldn't swim pushed me into the deep end and I legit thought I was going to die in that moment.
Because of those two experiences, but really the more recent one, being underwater is extremely panic inducing, the pool itself is off-putting and jokes like "take him to the deep end hahaha" is essentially like holding a loaded gun to my head and saying "I'm gonna pull the trigger hahaha" "why are you so scared, we're just going to kill you" is what it sounds like.
We can't just relax, when we're in something that has tried two times before to kill me. It takes a lot of time and in my opinion people who push people into pools are attempting murder.
I know how you feel!
I literally thank you so much for making this video. I have auqaphobia right now as a minor and I'm trying to learn how to swim.
Glad you found it helpful!
hi ur video is the most comforting one i have seen ..thanks ..i do wish u put up more of them .please do try .ciao
Thanks! See the latest one here: ruclips.net/video/wG-5QMeoCyk/видео.html
Excellent Brother thanks for this video ;)
Glad it's helpful!
With you up too ditching the kick board. Can’t bring myself to let go of the board without freaking out. I’m now in a position where I feel sorry for my instructor, he must be thinking’ what the hells going on’. This has been going on for months. Don’t feel that I’m any further forward now than 6 months ago when I started lessons.
I can swim but my mom can't I want to teach her and this is really useful information
Darren Lipomi... you are the MAN!
I love the intro🤣🤣
Thank you!
Was wondering if you could make a video on jumping into the deep end. Not like a diving video. I know how to swim, I'm just afraid to jump in...
Good idea!
I don't have pools, we have river and that's 3 times deeper than me,when I look down I started shaking, and today was a worst day for me and I didn't jumb
At 4:25 is where the anxiety begins, I am trying to get past this. I really hate that I’m like this.
This showed me a lot I really know how to swim and float
Awesome! Keep it up.
Watching this video gave me shivers. My ears hurt when I put my head underwater and the feeling is horrible.
I can do several things without having to put my face under. Doggy paddle (hard on the neck, maybe if I learned to let my legs dangle a bit the neck could relax more), sick fish (doggy paddle tipped on your side with one ear in the water), and sort of back stroke (floating on the back, doing somewhat random movements for propulsion). I can use my legs to kick/flick and whatever the frog kick thing is called. On my stomach I mostly do the front doggy paddle movement, but on my back I don't know what my arm movements could be likened to, but they work at the same time instead of alternating. The pseudo backstroke is new as of today, I was inspired by my practicing getting my legs back under me from a float, and I did start working on blowing bubbles.
I had people try to teach me to swim periodically throughput my childhood, but I didn't learn anything until after college when I found a book in the library, something like Teach Yourself to Swim Even if You Are Afraid of the Water. Just like I learned how to ride a bike, I couldn't do it until I was ready. Until then it didn't matter what anyone said to me, it was all too much. The book broke it down starting in the baby pool, but I never did get to putting my face under. I can even "swim" in the deep end without fear, I just can't handle putting my face under water yet.
Definitely useful. Thank you very much
Glad it was helpful!
Fantastic
the thing with me is that i *cant* float, i really can’t. i can swim alright but it’s just after 3 seconds i will start sinking
Hey Darren, when it comes to swimming I am terrible! I am too afraid to lift my legs up but I can dive my head under. Any tips on that? I've tried holding against the edge and kicking my legs to get used to it, it wont help!
This is the first challenge I had to get over too. At the beginning, don't worry about breathing. Just get a good pair of goggles, hold your breath, and try to float for 5 seconds in the shallow end. It's stressful to try to keep your eyes closed and to worry about breathing at the very beginning. Keep with it!
frostberri = Oh my GOD this is my problem too i can't lift my legs up without holding on something the corner or on people. Oh i really try but the fear is overwhelming.
Last time i went into a pool was a summer camp in 2017 where we did survival stuff. So yeah youve got 13 yr old me who’s terrified of swimming because he nearly drowned at a friends party years before being put into a scenario where hes constantly watched and being forced to pretend he’s in a survival situation. Yeah i think the staff realised because at the end of it they canceled the extra swim fun session.
Sorry to hear that :( Keep at it.
i have this fear but not as bad as a lot of people. i do like to swim, but not alone or in lakes or oceans. i just cant swim in oceans, lakes, or alone
edit : also when im watching videos and an area of water shows up (like a lake or ocean) it just scares me and i cant look at it
Not afraid of water. Just afraid of drowning. Not confident to swim in the middle after suffering from severe panic attack 19 years ago.
Nice & useful video. ..make a video for taking leap for beginners.
Glad it was helpful!
Dear Darren, please make more clips about swimming. You have made a lot more clips about chemistry so far.
I'll do my best!
Thank you for the video!!
You're welcome!
i love this, you make me want to learn to swim, I have a fear of water from childhood and cant seem to get past step two..I feel like I dont float its, scary
Thanks for the kind words. It really helps to have well fitting goggles when learning to float. If you need to hold your nose closed with your hands at first, that can help too. Make sure you do it in a shallow pool where you can easily touch the bottom. Good luck!
snorkeling helped me get a handle on my fear of the lake near my cabin . when your snorkel goes under the water when your not expecting it too and you cant get your breathe of air, that's a little concerning but you eventually figure it out. better then breathing in water. plus if you get water in your mask you can blow it out your snorkel, that was an epiphany i only panicked about 5 times and only swallowed water once . I probably should have watched the video on snorkeling before trying I just figured you breath in it lol. I did realize I could breathe in more air then snorkel would allow quickly
Please help me I can swim a little but I overthink
. and get scared
I was thinking about that recently..i need to learn how to swim🙈 ..btw i was following the prof for a while now but I just realized why he looks very familiar ..he looks like Andrew Garfield 😅
Please do more of these videos
Glad this one was helpful!
Meh I am a bit afraid of deep water...
Wait.
In one day was raining and I was with a friend...
I was like "Damn that's too wet! I don't want to get wet now!"
He was like "Are you afraid?"
He annoyed me...Until I pushed him, in the night time in the pool.
That was funny!😂
My fear is backstroke it always tiers my arms out and I can never see whose behind me
Hi,I can't swim without a board, I'm afraid to stand alone, that prevents me from swimming free
Thanks. I find freestyle the hardest to do. It's harder to breathe.
I am trying breathing in freestyle and I find it to be really difficult and exhausting. Even though I can swim breast stroke with my head underwater and can do few laps in that so definitely don't have any issue in exhaling underwater and then inhaling when my head is up. I just can't figure why am I not able to breathe smoothly in freestyle. I have noticed few things though two things which can make breathing easier in freestyle is body rotation your body should rotate when you are pulling with your one arm. If I'm pulling through my right arm then my body should rotate at least 30 40 deg so that my belly button is facing side of the pool. Secondly your leading arm the left one in the previous example should be straight nd stretched so that when you rotate your head to take a breath it can support the movement and your head/upper body doesn't sink and you have nothing to breathe but water all over your face.