Get your head above water. Float on your stomach with your arms outstretched, remembering to turn your head to the side to breathe regularly. Remove your shoes. Kick them off if possible, or bend down into the water to untie them.
Use your shirt as a temporary flotation device. If the shirt has buttons, turn the collar inside out to create a seal. Unbutton the second button, take a deep breath and exhale deeply into the open button hole. Pull the material closed and lower yourself into the water. The air will settle into the shoulders of the shirt, adding buoyancy. If your shirt lacks buttons, tie off the bottom to create a tight fit, breathe into the collar and seal it as well as possible.
Remove your pants underwater. Button and zip the fly closed, and tie the pants legs together in a square knot.
Orient the pants fly towards you and swing the pants over your head to trap air. Kick hard during this process to avoid toppling over. When the pants legs are full of air, bring the waistband below the water’s surface. Tie off the waistband as well as possible.
Place the tied-together legs behind your head with the waistband in front of you. The pants should now resemble a life preserver. Keep the waistband submerged and lean back against the inflated legs.
Splash the pants legs with water frequently to avoid drying. If the pants dry, air will be able to escape.
