A survival technique when you are stranded in open water without anything to hold. Mastering this simple float is important because it requires little energy (less than treading water) and can be maintained longer. If temperature conditions do not lead to hypothermia, the dead man's float can keep you alive until help arrives.

Begin with a deep breath. Practise floating more or less upright facing head down in the water, arms out. Keeping your body mostly submerged minimizes the amount of effort needed to counteract gravity. When you need to breathe, slowly expel air underwater, start treading water slightly, lift your head, and take another deep breath. Repeat.