A method and apparatus for teaching new swimmers to hold their breath. An apparatus comprising a modified bucket is provided that is first used to drip water onto the head of a swimming student as a warning that more water is going to be dumped onto his head. Next the apparatus is used to dump a sufficient amount of water onto the student's head to trigger breath holding by the student. In the related method, a swimming instructor then quickly dunks the student underwater to teach the student to use and control the reflexive breath holding. For infants, the apparatus and method rely upon the breath holding reflex acquired in the womb to trigger breath holding. By repeating these steps a number of times new swimmers can learn to hold their breath when they go under water.