Breath Control

Breath Control  #

Introduction  #

The Breath Control skill develops Breath Control CompetencyBreath Control CompetencyBreath Control Competency is the knowledge, skill, and experience necessary to breathe effectively in a controlled manner without using excessive energy, interfering with other movements, or compromising body position while in the water. Physical abilities associated with this competency include the physical exchange of air and keeping the body in a position at the surface so that the exchange of air can occur. Cognitive abilities include determining when to breathe and when to hold the breath. Affective abilities include responding to stimuli and situations in a calm manner with the face both above and below the surface of the water. . Breath Control allows for the student to comfortably exchange air without gasping or panicking. At the beginner level, the objective is to teach the student how to comfortably exhale air through both their mouth and nose while their face is submerged. This skill will be used in subsequent skills when the student will be asked to exhale and blow bubbles while underwater, re-surface to inhale, and then re-submerge to exhale. The ability to exchange air comfortably is a component of other skills such as traveling bobs, survival floats and front propulsion.

Description  #

The Breath Control skill is defined by the following body posturePostureThe particular way the body is held while doing an activity. Mobility specialists define posture as the way you position your body or arrange your limbs, such as “to stand up straight with your shoulders back and your chin up.” , arm formsFormThe visible shape or configuration of something. Mobility specialists define form as an arrangement of the elements in a composition; the way something (or someone) is shaped or arranged. , leg forms, breathing, and timing characteristics and features.

Breath Control Description  #

This skill may be performed using the pool bottom, deck, wall, or instructor for support.

Body

  1. Body positioned vertically
  2. Hands away from face; does not cover mouth, does not hold or plug nose

Mouth bubbles sequence

  1. Start with head above surface
  2. Inhale through mouth
  3. Lower mouth below surface
  4. Exhale bubbles continuously through mouth
  5. Return face above surface

Nose bubbles sequence

  1. Start with head above surface
  2. Inhale through mouth
  3. Lower nose below surface
  4. Exhale bubbles continuously through nose
  5. Return face above surface

Timing

  1. Perform each sequence separately
Breath Control Demonstration  #

Video demonstration of the skill.

Assessment  #

Scoring  #

The following scoring rubricScoring rubricA guide that includes rating scales and descriptions of one or more criteria used to evaluate the performance of a skill. lists the gradients of key requirements and deficiencies that provide an overall description of different competence levels. A single score is assigned based on the instructor’s judgment of the student’s performance.

Breath Control Scoring Rubric  #

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