Breath Control (BC)
INTRODUCTIONBreath Control develops breathing skills for aquatic environments, specifically focusing on controlling exhalation and clearing the airways of the nose and mouth. It is characterized by two distinct sequences: one where the mouth is submerged to blow bubbles, and the other where bubbles are exhaled from only the nose. Becoming proficient with the Breath Control skill develops Breath Control Competency.
Controlled exhalation allows efficient breathing, especially during skills where there is limited time for the face to be above the surface. Controlled exhalation is also critical in the event of an unexpected entry, where the airway may need to be cleared before taking a breath in. Breath Control is an opportunity for students who are not yet comfortable in aquatic environments to practice breathing through both their nose and mouth, and become more comfortable submerging the parts of the face that are necessary for breathing.
When first learning breathing skills, the focus should be on controlling inhalations and exhalations, specifically being able to exhale independently through both the nose and the mouth, and being able to submerge without needing to plug the nose to control breathing. Learning and applying the concept of ‘if you push air out, then water can not get in’ should be prioritized, as this not only prevents the uncomfortable feeling of water getting up the nose, but provides the ability to clear the airway in situations where water entering the nose and mouth may not have been preventable, such as unexpected entries or being tumbled by waves. As individuals become more comfortable the focus should shift to controlling the exhalation and pacing the amount of air blown out over time. This sets a foundation for efficient and timely breathing during complex skills, such as the swim strokes, and allows individuals to begin utilizing the relationship between breathing and buoyancy for benefits related to body position, depth control, and submersion duration.
The Breath Control skill is defined as the following:
This skill may be performed using the pool bottom, deck, wall, or instructor for support.
Body
Body positioned vertically
Hands away from face; does not cover mouth, does not hold or plug nose
Mouth Bubbles Sequence
Start with head above surface
Inhale through mouth
Lower mouth below surface
Exhale bubbles continuously through mouth
Return face above surface
Nose Bubbles Sequence
Start with head above surface
Inhale through mouth
Lower nose below surface
Exhale bubbles continuously through nose
Return face above surface
Timing
Perform each sequence separately
Scoring
The following scoring rubric lists the gradients of key requirements and deficiencies that provide an overall description of different competence levels.
A single score of 1 - 4 is assigned based on the instructor’s judgment of the student’s performance.
✔
1
Exhibits any of the following:
✖ Does not blow any bubbles
✖ Does not lower mouth below the surface
2
Performs all of the following:
✔ Mouth bubbles sequence: lowers mouth below the surface
Exhibits any of the following:
✖ Covers mouth or holds nose
✖ Mouth bubbles sequence: does not blow bubbles through mouth for at least 3 seconds
✖ Nose bubbles sequence: does not lower nose below the surface
3
Performs all of the following:
✔ Keeps hands from covering mouth or holding nose
✔ Mouth bubbles sequence: lowers mouth below the surface and blows bubbles continuously only through mouth for at least 3 seconds
✔ Nose bubbles sequence: lowers nose below the surface
Exhibits any of the following:
✖ Does not maintain a mostly vertical position
✖ Nose bubbles sequence: does not blow bubbles through nose for at least 3 seconds
✖ Nose bubbles sequence: blows bubbles through both mouth and nose
4
Performs all of the following:
✔ Maintains a mostly vertical position
✔ Keeps hands from covering mouth or holding nose
✔ Mouth bubbles sequence: lowers mouth below the surface and blows bubbles continuously only through mouth for at least 3 seconds
✔ Nose bubbles sequence: lowers nose below the surface and blows bubbles continuously only through nose for at least 3 seconds