front_toward_enemy

This will apply to many things.

Start an AMA thread where everyone can submit their questions. Take the top ten or fifteen or whatever and mail them to whichever one you think is most interesting and articulate.

Thanks for doing this AMA, by the way. I've always wondered what it would be like to randomly start writing serial killers.

"Alternate universe" twins is a better term.

Would you be willing to try picking the most interesting one and hooking up a snail mail AMA?

Not a lifeguard but an avid swimmer who has taught a lot of people. In my experience, there are a few factors to consider.

An important one is age and exposure. If the first time you're in water above your mouth is in later teen years and after, you really need to want to learn, and you need to do it often.

Another is natural ability. Some people, it just doesn't click. They can't get a feel for the water and maybe lack the coordination for something like the breaststroke or butterfly.

And then there's buoyancy. Some people are naturally negative in water -- they straight up sink to the bottom. I have people hold a really deep breath, straighten out their body, and stop moving. Some sink to two feet below the surface, some sink all the way, some float with their jawline just before the water, etc.

BUT anyone who seriously wants to learn can attain some degree of competency. For some, that can mean 1000+ yard crawl stroke. For others it could mean doggy paddling.