Water Safety Instructor (WSI) Practice Exam

What is the key action that enhances swimming efficiency?

1. Performing specific drills

2. Maintaining correct body form

3. Increasing water temperature

4. Using specialized equipment

The correct answer is: Maintaining correct body form

Maintaining correct body form is essential for enhancing swimming efficiency because it directly impacts how a swimmer moves through the water. Proper body alignment reduces drag, allowing swimmers to glide more smoothly and requiring less energy to swim the same distances. When swimmers maintain a streamlined position, they can cut through the water more effectively, which optimizes their speed and efficiency. In contrast, while performing specific drills can improve swimming skills and technique, they do not fundamentally change how efficiently a swimmer can move through the water. Similarly, increasing water temperature may have benefits for comfort and muscle flexibility but does not inherently improve swimming efficiency. Using specialized equipment, such as fins or paddles, can provide advantages in training but might not necessarily lead to improved efficiency in natural swimming. Proper body form remains the foundational element that affects a swimmer’s overall performance in the water.