Probably not flossing. Isn’t that the answer to everything? 
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YES!
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Those interdental sticks are a PITA for me, as a lot of my teeth have very tight gaps; so I just stick to the satin tape.
But is all this disposable dental stuff un-Eco? I think of some poor bird being strangled at some landfill site by a length of floss; or worse still, whole water treatment plants going into meltdown as they are clogged when people flush it away 
Nah, I’ve previously had it filled, due to an impact injury.
I was told two years ago I would need a root canal…seems like now is the time!
Or an extraction, I’ve two false ones at the other side, so just removing it isn’t scary to me
Yep, a pet hate of mine. There’s a ridiculous amount of disposable plastic that we use in surgery. All regulation stuff, so until someone invents edible floss/protective wrapping, I’m not sure what the solution is. BUT, you may want to look at Curaprox interdental stuff. Just buy the small spare cleaning heads on amazon
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My gf has the philips jet wash type thing. Given that’s just using water from the tap, I guess it must be pretty eco. I kind of scoff, but when I do reluctantly use it, it is rather good. This reminds me, I really do need to book to see the dentist!
As for swimming - physio last night has given me the ok to slowly resume. So half a k at lunchtime, here I come!
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I use bamboo floss, it does the job.
Does flossing improve your 200 free time?
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depends what you’re flossing…
I’ve started to read this tread from the beginning.
It would appear you guys are alreday strong ( ish ) swimmers as the times and speeds you’re all discussing are far beyond anything I would even hope to achieve.
By way of introduction, I swam a bit as a child, but gave up pretty early on. I started again 3 years ago just to get fit and ended up doing an Olympic distence tri.
I’ve watched countless videos from the likes of Swim Smooth, Ocean Walker and so on. Most of these seem to have minimal emphesis on kick, and generally teach rotation with head down ( to get the legs up)
What I’ve read from you guys is some major training on kick, which i’ve more or less ignored so far.
As it is, following all of this guidence, im lucky to hit 2.00/100m in a 25m pool. I’ve tried to follow the instructions. High elbow, rotation, getting pressure on the water. Head down and legs not sinking, ( that im aware of ).
They say its all technique, and that’s no joke.
I guess I’d like pointing in the right direction.
I’m looking at returning to the pool this month so any help would be gratefully recieved.
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I can’t help you!
Though, I can tell you what worked for me:
Learned to swim as a child, but not lap swimming, or competitive, but did swim twice a week (school and parents)
My first triathlon was Woodhall Spa Sprint in 2007.
I clocked 8:16 for the 396m swim (33m outdoor pool), about 2:04/100m.
Three years later, in 2010, I’m swimming Outlaw iron distance in 59 minutes, and easily doing 5:40 for 400m in the pool.
I got injured in 2008, then spent two months pure swimming and gym/rehab. I was doing 8-12km per week swimming and it just sort of fell into place.
Outside of that, consistency is key.
You’re not going to improve on one or two swims per week. You might not even maintain with that!
I read all of the books and tried to apply that, never had anyone personally look at my stroke, or been recorded.
Personally, I think more time on the pool will get most people to under 7 minutes per 400.
It’s a little harder after that, but not too much.
Hammerer and Chriswim are better at general tips and tricks than I am!
But, learn to go swimming more and it should just happen!
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Thanks for that reply. That really does give me hope.
I’ve only ever swam twice a week consistently, what with everything else you have to fit in.
I guess thats my starting point.
If its possible to do something constructive in a 15m pool that would be a massive help as thats what my gym has. Nearest 25m pool is 30 minutes drive away.
My first two years were in an 18m pool.
If you can get some bands to fasten to the steps…
…but 15m is odd.
But, I’ve read of pro triathletes doing all of their training in 12m pools and then swimming 50 minutes come race day, so…
…but I’ve not tips for a pool that short. Soz pal 
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No worries man. I always thought banding yourself to the steps to be counter intuative as your not moving through the water so your technique doesnt matter. But I guess it would help with shoulder strength?.
The pool is just the size they could fit in the building plot. Its outdoor heated, and I can swim after every gym/treadmill session just to get the time in.
A 15m pool is better than no pool. I’d use that to work on kick and drills. Its impossible to be specific but in that time you can do some push off and glides to learn good hydrodynamics, you can just practice floating to learn balance! (many AOS are swimming to stay afloat and stop themselves drowning rather than floating with good body position, high legs, and using he stroke solely as propulsion) do turns with no push offs, single arm swimming, kick on side, torpedo kick front and back, fly kick front and back for great core work, practice tumbles. Another which Solar named the musicians drill is just swimming with a very low stroke rate, talking really slow, like a pianist learning a masterpiece note by note slowly until you know the pattern then start to play it in real time. In triathlon and distance swimming generally the kick may not be primarily for propulsion like a sprinter but by building the kick strength it aids body position, balance, will help keep you more streamlined while swimming, and a good kick sesion is a great aerobic workout.
Oh as an aside beware of “systems” like Ocean Walker. Hes basically “invented” Catch Up drill swimming because he got injured!. This really isn’t ideal for a lot of people. Because he has some success, doesn’t make it right. Good swim coaches all know that there is no magic stroke, just a lot of time and effort finding a way for each individual. Look at @Poet 's example just by swimming regular over an extended period with mindful swimming. This is why swimmers are good, repetition and they learn how the body feels in the water and adjust “naturally” to find the most efficient way.
My final advice for most is don’t let perfection be the enemy of the good, don’t over analyse the stroke mechanics of different “styles” as you will confuse yourself. Even elite triathletes aren’t fast swimmers, 1:08-1:10 / 100 is pedestrian when talking national level swimming. I’ve seen 13 year old girls much faster than many. Look at historical times on ASA rankings of the likes of the Brownlees and you will see. Just don’t look at Lucy Hall or LCB 
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Thank the Lord!, I thought it was just me - he’s got a back injury so he finds a way of swimming around it and then tells everyone they should do the same. He’s all over the OSS FB group like a rash and seems to have gained some kind of guru status. (Not unlike Riptide on IMJ, although clearly a better a swimmer)
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Ok a lot to take in there. Really appreciate your time in writing that response. 
I guess I got so far in 6 months and lost heart a bit, even though I was happy with my OWS.
I ended up relying on a pull bouy because initially it really helped, and I swam much faster with one.
I guess I just need to make a proper start again, and put the hours in… 
I cannot understand this - I’ve never had this. Ever.
I am always slower with one - then I see people zipping past me at club swims when we do PB work.
Is it because a PB helps poor body position, raising your hips and legs up in the water?
I tend to use a band when I’m using a buoy (unless I’m quite fried!), as you cannot kick then, and it really forces you to think about your lower body position.
I’ve used ankle bands with a PB for donkey’s years now; seems odd not to isolate the legs really.
Right. My kick.
Do I need to get some fins to help me along? Literally I am granny pace with just my pixie feet; will fins help to build more strength in the right places? Given how poor my kick is compared to average Joe who swims slower than me, I can’t help thinking there’s a missing piece I haven’t worked-out.