Swimmers: sinkers and floaters? : Othor Games

» Mon Aug 06, 2012 11:04 pm

Hey folks,

Just an easy question, is there such a thing as sinkers and floaters when it comes to humans in the water?

My son "floats" under water, and needs to keep forward momentum to stay on the surface. However, I had heard that humans naturally float. I'm dubious about that due to body composition. I haven't found anything that confirms nor denies the whole sink/float idea; in fact, it looks to be presumed that ll are floaters.

So,

Does anyone have a supported answer?

Thanks
Rumbly

» Tue Aug 07, 2012 9:50 am

I've heard the idea that lots of fat helps you float. Fat is less dense than water and muscle is more dense, or something like that.

But then there are certain bodies of water that pretty much everyone floats in.

EDIT: And what povuholo says below this post.

» Tue Aug 07, 2012 1:39 am

I think it's mostly related to the air in your lungs? If you breathe in a lot you float easier, whereas if you blow it all out you're going to sink.

» Tue Aug 07, 2012 4:58 am

I always sink in the water. :confused:

» Tue Aug 07, 2012 8:13 am

Humans have a bunch of water in their bodies, so when in the water, most humans will be in a "middle" state of floating. We're like 80% water and 20% other stuff. That other stuff is not as dense as water and therefore keeps us afloat just enough to not sink to the bottom, whereas the water in our bodies is just enough to keep us away from the surface. That's why swimming is such an exercise. You can't stay afloat, nor can you sink without making yourself do it, so, you swim.

» Tue Aug 07, 2012 12:03 pm

I think it's mostly related to the air in your lungs? If you breathe in a lot you float easier, whereas if you blow it all out you're going to sink.

This. If you lie on your back and exhale all of the air in your lungs you'll sink like a rock, and if you lie on your back and breathe in air you'll float. I used to do that so I could "sit" on the bottom of the pool.

» Tue Aug 07, 2012 10:28 am

As long as you have air in your lungs and you're not an unusually dense person you should float in any reasonably sized body of water, though you will always have to make an effort to keep your head above water if you want to stay upright in the water.

One fun thing I like to do is make myself sink automatically by letting the air out of my lungs. Then I will brood at the bottom of a pool for a minute and creep people out before I come up and issue a surprise attack on all of my confused onlookers. :shifty:

Yeah, I'm a pretty good swimmer.

» Tue Aug 07, 2012 10:38 am

Yep, I understand the lung thing. It's fun to play with :nod:

My little dude is a SOLID 53# 6 year old. I wonder if his sinking has something to do with his body density and something with physical maturity in terms of lung size?

Dunno, but its pretty frustrating for him in swimming lessons. He's graduated to the ability group that practices in water that's eye-deep on him. His sinking ability makes him nervous and work harder...too hard so he's not efficient in his strokes...which makes him tired and sink....viscious circle.

» Tue Aug 07, 2012 1:54 am

Personally I have never really come across this. I only learned how to swim in July and apart from flapping about a bit and a weak doggy paddle I have not really thought to test this. In my mind we are land creatures and there is no use us knocking about in the water.

Is having air in the lungs some form of buoyancy then? Does this mean that those with a high lung capacity will float better than those with a lower lung capacity?

» Tue Aug 07, 2012 8:08 am

In my mind we are land creatures and there is no use us knocking about in the water.

There's no reason for us to be in the air either. Or underground. Or anywhere.

http://www.hark.com/clips/rwtqrhhxzv-im-a-dog-chasing-cars

Is having air in the lungs some form of buoyancy then? Does this mean that those with a high lung capacity will float better than those with a lower lung capacity?

Err, yeah?

» Tue Aug 07, 2012 9:48 am

You'd think I know which one I am since I work as a lifeguard and I'm (obviously) an excellent swimmer...but I have no idea

» Mon Aug 06, 2012 10:03 pm

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3610/3401204448_6164322f78.jpg

that's me swimming

» Tue Aug 07, 2012 2:07 am

I can stay floating on the surface for about 1 second, then my legs start to sink. :shrug:

» Tue Aug 07, 2012 8:54 am

I weigh 300 lbs and can float on my back for very extended periods of time. Most people look at me funny when I do this.

» Tue Aug 07, 2012 12:49 am

As said above, it has more to due with how much air you have in your lungs, than you body composition. When you exhale, you'll sink, take a big breath and you'll float. Works kind of like an air bladder in fish.

In my mind we are land creatures and there is no use us knocking about in the water.

That's a pretty close minded thought.

» Tue Aug 07, 2012 12:43 pm

I can float on my back, but sometimes I kind of "snap" and bend after a few seconds. Maybe it's just me not trying enough. Overall, I can usually float well.

» Tue Aug 07, 2012 8:33 am

As said above, it has more to due with how much air you have in your lungs, than you body composition. When you exhale, you'll sink, take a big breath and you'll float. Works kind of like an air bladder in fish.

My legs will still sink, no matter how much air I have in my lungs

In my mind we are land creatures and there is no use us knocking about in the water.

Little kids hold their breath under water. We are far from land-only creatures, because we even have such a primal instinct left. We even have "swim skin" between our fingers, althought it's small. (same thing has happened to them as to our tail)

» Tue Aug 07, 2012 7:04 am

Little kids hold their breath under water. We are far from land-only creatures, because we even have such a primal instinct left. We even have "swim skin" between our fingers, althought it's small. (same thing has happened to them as to our tail)

And we have hiccups due to great-ancestor amphibians.
...way to go, great-ancestor amphibians. :stare:

The "swim skin" is pretty awesome, though.

» Tue Aug 07, 2012 7:14 am

It's bad when I look away then catch only part of the topic of the thread. "sinkers and floaters" ROFL

Anyways, it truly depends upon the individual's body type + the individual themselves. One thing I know from being a Fl boy and swimming is when you take a good breath before submerging you will float much better than you will with a normal small breath. *ya i'm capt obvious there... :/ *

Can't float on my back to save my life, but I can swim like no tomorrow.

» Tue Aug 07, 2012 2:22 am

This is like the centipede's dilemma - it's so simple until somebody asks you to think about it.

» Tue Aug 07, 2012 10:42 am

Also, water density plays a role in the perception of buoyancy.

... And if you're dead then gases from decomposition will aid your buoyancy. Dead bodies sink, then rise, then sink again as the gas cavities are depleted. A "meat water yo-yo" so to speak.

That's my "warm and fuzzy" for the day.

» Mon Aug 06, 2012 9:55 pm

Also, water density plays a role in the perception of buoyancy.

... And if you're dead then gases from decomposition will aid your buoyancy. Dead bodies sink, then rise, then sink again as the gas cavities are depleted. A "meat water yo-yo" so to speak.

That's my "warm and fuzzy" for the day.

Thanks for the mental image(s).

» Mon Aug 06, 2012 11:36 pm

Humans are definitely not all floaters. I know this because I don't float in water at all. I immediately sink. As such, I am unable to swim.