A recruit from Papa Company 189 treads water for 5 minutes during her swim assessment at Training Center Cape May, N.J., April 3, 2014. (Chief Warrant Officer Donnie Brzuska/U.S. Coast Guard photo) ...

Over a decade ago, the U.S. Coast Guard rescued three men in the Gulf of Mexico who had been fishing for grouper when their boat capsized. In order to survive, they had to tread water for 18 hours.

Preparing for a future in military diving, special ops programs and rescue swimming requires the mastery of several water skills, including treading, swimming fast without fins and swimming longer ...

Swimming ability is declining in Australia, and experts say knowing the right age to enrol your children in lessons — as well as what to do if you can't access them — is key to improving water safety.