Mia
Snorkel diving is a delightful hobby that allows you to glimpse the aquatic environment. Unlike scuba diving, it does not require any professional training or gear, and nearly anyone can attempt it.
Unfortunately, bad first-time snorkeling encounters are rather typical. Anxiety, a leaking or fogged mask, awkward fins, and water entering your snorkel can all make the sport unpleasant, if not deadly.
Here are a few pointers to help you get the most out of your snorkeling experience.
Obtain Equipment That is Appropriate:
Having ill-fitting snorkeling gears might result in a variety of problems. When buying equipment, it’s good to test it on and inspect it before heading out into the ocean.
- Snorkeling Mask: Place the mask against your face without tightening the strap, suck in the air gently through your nose, and let go of the mask to see if it fits. It will stay on your face for a few seconds if it has established a good seal.
Sucking air too aggressively will deform the skirt and cause it to seal incorrectly. After testing the seal, try wearing the mask behind your head and secure it with the straps to see how it feels. Make an effort to move your facial muscles. Inspect the release mechanism of the straps.
- Fins: The fins should fit securely on your feet without irritating them. Excessively loose fins are prone to painful blisters, chafing, and even falling off into the sea. Begin by selecting a fin size that corresponds to your shoe size. Try on the fins and perform a shake test. Take a seat and kick your foot in different directions.
The fin should be snug but not pinching or rubbing in any way. If it seems excessively tight and there is no room for movement, go up a size. If your foot moves a lot when you shake it, go down a size and start over. Buy a pair of lycra or neoprene socks if you are in between sizes. They’ll add some padding and take care of the chafing.
Learn How to Use a Snorkeling Mask and Snorkel:
Because breathing via a snorkel can be strange at first, it’s good to put on your gear and swim in a pool to get used to it. On the beach, begin by swimming in the shallow areas before diving into the deep water.
Blowing water out of your mask and snorkel should also be practiced. If your snorkel or mask gets flooded when you’re in deeper water, being acquainted with these techniques will help you stay cool.
- Snorkel Water Flushing Technique: It’s straightforward to flush your snorkel. To expel water from the top of your snorkel, simply blow hard through it. Water will also leave through the purge valve underneath the mouthpiece if your snorkel has one.
- Mask Water Flushing Techniques: Clearing water out of your mask is another vital technique to practice. You can always resurface to do this, but if you’ve found something great underwater and don’t want to jeopardize losing sight of it, you’ll need to learn how to flush your mask underwater swiftly.
To begin, take a big breath of air via your snorkel. Remember that if a wave knocks your mask free, your snorkel might be filled with water, so flush it before drawing breath. Then, press the top of the mask against your forehead using your palm or fingers.
Final Thoughts:
Do you wish to go snorkeling? Perhaps you haven’t explored the sport yet. Maybe it’s been a long time since your last ocean’s surface encounter. You might even think of yourself as an expert! Whatever end of the snorkeling spectrum you are on, you’ll likely find some useful information above to enhance your next ocean dive experience.
