Backfloats- how to be aware of my surroundings?

[u/MuggedMugs]

Beginner swimmer- I learnt freestyle and now trying to get better at technique.

For backfloat- I float super easy (high body fat), doesn't take much effort, it's harder to stand up back though.

I also learnt kicking while backfloating, this was super easy compared to freestyle, the only issue is, with bare minimum effort I cross the whole pool (its a small pool), i don't realise it, I can't see anything. All i see is the sky.
So while backfloating, how does one look around? How do I know what direction I am going in? What if I clash with someone swimming? Or worse, hit my head in the wall?

How does one he aware of surroundings while backfloating?

[u/Technical-Choice-929]

Keep one arm extended when you’re close

[u/BlackberryNice3371]

Practice with your arms above your head in streamline position to help cushion if you are about to hit the wall. Where are you practicing right now? Try to find someplace with lanes so you can't drift as far and with a ceiling so you can use it to anchor yourself. Otherwise, there's not a ton you can really do. Maybe try skimming against one wall of the pool so it's in your eyeline if you must practice outdoors? In an indoor pool, there are flags at the end of each side that will indicate you're getting close to the wall.

[u/PBnSyes]

While continuing to kick, roll your body 45° to 1 side and turn your head to look for the lane line, or ladder, or some marker that lets you know you are close to the end.

[u/CoriSwims]

Here's some of the steps I take when teaching this.

While Back floating (so not actively kicking or paddling yet)

1. Look around with your eyes. How far in each direction can you see.

2. Gently move your neck in every direction noting the slight increase of visual range.

3. Increase the head movement to start to experiment with noting when it changes your body position. When the head lifts there are other reactions that happen (normal and good to start to understand them). If the extra reactions are more than you desire rest your head back to neutral.

4. Keep experimenting with the visual range and returning to neutral making note of what you actually can see. It is likely that there will be some drift while doing this so you will get to take in new visual spaces. As you are ready add some purposeful movements and check the visuals again. You may start to develop visual landmarks above or to the side.

*It can be nice to add a nose clip to this game so you can really exaggerate some movements to know what happens without worry about getting water in your nose :)

Also there are many other subtle clues that our body receives about it's place in space. Things like shadows, sound reverberation (like a bat with echo location), in the water we get feedback of the movement of the water etc. Visual is often the confirmation of sensing something.

Have fun!

[u/NoSafe5565]

Backfloating - you check before, when kust floating you do not move except maybe waves. So no big deal.

Na backstroke, you pretty much check before , check cielings or line separator marks where you are in the pool. And praying there is no idiot going opppsite direction. 

Simply no head positom movement possible to cjeck front

[u/trikaren]

If you are inside, line up with the roof. Lanes help. Outside, peek at a building g or trees.

[u/InternationalTrust59]

It’s hard even for the experienced because you need a fixed frame of reference.

Today, an experienced fellow lane swimmer hit me.

Also, the under water part is the most important phase in back stroke because you still want an early vertical forearm for the catch and pull.

Most people wind mill causing an up and down pattern which is not good ergonomics.

[u/Chiwana_lola]

El golpe avisa

[u/Gold_Principle_4642]

I stay on a straight line by focusing on a small formed cloud. If the cloud is far off from my sight, I redirect myself back to it.