Treading water

Methods
Any sort of movement that allows the swimmer to do this can be classified as treading water, but it is more efficient to move the arms and legs in a specific fashion.
Drowning non-swimmers often splash and kick in an effort to stay above the surface but their lack of technique along with the shortness of breath and panic factor make this a very ineffective method of treading water. They will usually tire quickly and not be able to stay above the surface any longer.
More experienced swimmers often find their own method of staying above the surface. These techniques often involve sculling, flutter kick, and other unofficial techniques of staying above the surface.
Eggbeater Kick
Eggbeater kick is a highly refined and efficient method of treading water. It involves the swimmer in a "sitting position" in the water. The swimmer's back must be straight, knees bent so that the thighs are parallel to the surface of the water, and lower leg is perpendicular to the surface.
The left foot makes a clockwise motion while the right leg makes a counterclockwise motion towards the axis of the body. The legs should never meet because when one foot is on the inside of the motion, the other should be on the outside. The arms are not involved directly in this kick.
Eggbeater kick can be used to move through the water if the body is angled. Because of the opposite motion of the legs, eggbeater is a very smooth and steady way of treading water. It also leaves the hands free to do work if necessary.
This method of treading of water is the preferred method used by lifeguards and other aquatic rescue professionals because of its efficiency and simplicity. The fact that it does not occupy the hands is a major factor in this preference as these professionals often have to perform first aid as they are swimming to safety.Eggbeater is also used in water polo because it lets the athletes use their arms to throw the ball.
Step1
The easiest way to start learning the egg beater is to sit on a chair. Put both of your right leg out and start to move it in a counter clockwise direction. Once you can do this pretty easily, stop with that leg and try your left leg going clockwise.
Step2
Once you can do step 1, continue sitting in the chair and start with your right leg going counter clockwise, when you have that going, add in your left leg going clockwise. If you can get the two motions moving together without smacking your legs against one another, you are successfully doing the proper motion for egg beater. There is a video of these two basic steps above.
Step3
Now that you have figured out the basic motions, it is about time you hop in the water. Just give it a try. It will be difficult. If you keep practicing, you should hopefully eventually be able to keep yourself a float.
Step4
To get endurance, keep practicing for one, but also try doing it without using your hands for help. Then try doing it with your hands out of the water. Next try with your arms out of the water. Then your shoulders, and so on.
Step5
To get power in your egg beater, you have to keep your legs apart and sit in a squatting position. Make the leg strokes moving towards the center of your body very strong and pronounced, this will help add a bit of power.
Step6
If you have any questions about trouble shooting your egg beater, just leave a comment and I can message you back a possible solution.
Tips & Warnings:
• Make sure that you are keeping your body straight up and down. If you start to lean back or forward, your egg beater will propel you away from your starting position.
• If you want to use the egg beater to move quickly without jerking your body (Lifeguard Tow) simply incline your body with your legs further towards the surface. You should be able to get a strong, constant movement going backwards.
• If you find yourself getting sucked under the water instead of being pushed out of the water when doing the kick, you are probably moving your legs in the wrong direction, inverse your left and right legs from clockwise to counter clockwise, and so on.
• After prolonged egg beater kicking, your shins will undoubtedly start hurting. This is normal, simply take a break and try again later or the next day. With practice and endurance, you will be able to egg beater much longer without the shin pain or discomfort.


Progressions for Treading Water~Individual

1--Practice the hand movement first either in shallow water or by watching yourself in a mirror. See illustration below for sculling with hands:
1~~Bring hands together like you're about to clap them.
2~~Don't clap hands but pass one above the other.
3~~Bend wrists downward.
4~~Move hands away with a downward push.
5~~Move parted hands slightly beyond shoulders.
6~~Turn wrists so hands are facing each other.
7~~Bring hands together like you are about to clap.
8~~Pass one hand above the other, etc.

Continue back and forth motions slowly and rhythmically.
Practice several minutes or until mastered.
1--With an experienced swimmer near you and holding onto pool side, slowly slide toward the deep end.

2--In deep end (preferably a depth only slightly over your head) have experienced swimmer demonstrate the sculling motion for you.

3--Take a deep breath and relax frontal muscles. Remember, a relaxed body is a floating body!

4--Make certain that an experienced swimmer and/or a lifeguard is watching you. Remove one hand from side, then the other.

5--Have experienced swimmer lift your elbow after you let loose from the side and help you back. Do this at least 5 X.

6--This may be as far as you care to go for the first time. If so, return to the shallow end by sliding hands along pool side as before. If you prefer, you may continue with the following tasks.

7--ONLY If you are at ease with # 5, and an experienced swimmer is with you, let loose of the side and perforrn the sculling motion you practiced earlier. Make sure the experienced swimmer is lightly touching your elbow as you scull.

NOTE: If at any time you become apprehensive about being in the deep end--return to shallow water immediately! You may always practice another day as you become more adjusted to it.

8--When you are sculling well and keeping your face above water--time yourself. If you can scull a full minute with face above water and are totally at ease you are ready for the leg movement. You must still have the experienced swimmer near you, however, to help you to the side if needed.

9--Though treading water is similar to riding a bicycle, unlike bike riding the knees do not lift up as high. Study the illustration below:

(For ease of explanation legs are shown lifted higher than recommended)

10-Practice treading water. Perform the leg motion alone for 20 seconds or more. Gradually add the arm movements. You will find that working legs and arms at the same time keeps your head well above water. Shoulders or chest may even be above water depending upon body weight, specific gravity, strength, etc.

11-At the beginning of each swim session, practice treading water for a few minutes. Do not SWIM to the deep end at this time, but slide hands along pool side to enter deep end. Always make certain that the Lifeguard knows what you plan to do. Continue perfecting your strokes and floats at the shallow end. There are special ways for the Water-Shy to ease into deeper water which will be coverved in a later chapter.
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Water treading is an aspect of swimming that involves a swimmer staying in a vertical position in the water whilst keeping his or her head (at least) above the surface of the water. Treading water provides the swimmer an opportunity to keep the head from becoming submerged while not providing sufficient directional thrust to overcome momentum and propel the swimmer in any specific direction.