Newbie here: Asking for tips on Snorkeling

[bosbik]

Hi,

Can i ask for tips for a guys new at snorkeling? Cani ask for some safety tips? and tips for prepping?


Thanks!

 

[David Wilson]

I'm a lifelong snorkeller, starting back in the early 1960s. One of my favourite books is Peter Small's "Your Guide to Underwater Adventure", which first appeared in 1957. Here's a "plate" from the volume, captioned, as you can see, "If underwater swimming is not fun, it's not anything":


Peter Small's philosophy of underwater swimming is essentially mine too. Enjoyment is the key. I find snorkelling immensely relaxing. It transports me away from all the trials and tribulations of the day. It matters little whether the body of water where I am swimming has shoals of colourful fish, rare marine plants or interesting minerals to explore, but if it does, so much the better. For me, snorkelling isn't about trying to beat the latest world record in breath-hold depth or duration. I'll leave that to the freedivers who cannot live their lives, including their spare time, without competing with themselves or their fellow freedivers.

As for snorkelling equipment, I strongly believe in keeping things simple. Do read the excellent "editorial" on the Snorkeling Forum at
Snorkeling Forum - What is Essential for Snorkelers? Editorial by Joel Simon

It really puts into perspective how "less is more" when it comes to purchasing gear. If you ask a scuba diver what fins to buy, it's likely you'll be told how indispensable open-heel fins with booties are. Ask a freediver, and you'll hear how full-foot fins with long fibreglass-reinforced blades are essential. The trouble here is that both the scuba diver and the freediver think that your dalliance with snorkelling will be brief and that you'll want to graduate to something "more challenging", such as scuba diving or freediving, when you've "seen the light".

Snorkelling is a wonderful pursuit in its own right and you can enjoy it at whatever pace you want. There is no need to buy expensive gear. What matters most is that the gear fits you and not somebody else. When purchasing fins, go to the dive store with an open mind, which means forgetting about brands. Focus instead on finding a pair of fins that not only match your shoe size, but also accommodate the breadth of your feet and the height of your arches. Fins that are too loose will either generate blisters through rubbing or fall off. Fins that are too tight will causing cramping. Take the time to locate fins that fit your foot dimensions. If you intend snorkelling in colder waters, consider purchasing neoprene socks or booties and wear them when you are checking out your fins for size. Contrary to popular belief, you can wear either full-foot or open-heel fins with socks or booties, so long as you try everything on for size at the time of purchase.

As for a mask, there are plenty of threads in the fins, mask and snorkel forum describing how to check whether a mask fits your face or not. One method is to apply the mask to your face without attaching the strap and breathe in through the nose to create a partial vacuum. If the mask remains on the face without support, you probably have a reasonable fit. As with the fins, though, you won't know for certain until you've tried the mask on in the water and experienced what it's like to swim around wearing the gear.

In the case of snorkels, try a simple J-shaped tube. There's less to go wrong than with gadget-enhanced breathing tubes.

You've noticed I haven't told you what kind of gear I've used when snorkelling. That's because the fins, mask and snorkel I use all fit my dimensions and suit my swimming style, not yours, so beware of anybody telling you that such-and-such a brand of fins, mask and snorkel is the solution to all your snorkelling problems. Finding the right kit is something of an odyssey and it's a journey that nobody can do for you. The best way your friends can help you is by lending you items of their own snorkelling gear so that you can find out more about what is available.

Finally, the matter of snorkelling locations. Many people contemplating snorkelling believe that you have to go to a tropical paradise if you want to snorkel. Far be it from me to deter you from seeking out such destinations, but believe me you can snorkel often just as well in your own "backyard". I snorkel most weekends in the sea off the coast of the North East of England. The sandy beaches are far better than the pebbly affairs I put up with on expensive trips to Mediterranean resorts back in the 1970s. The American pioneers of skin diving started mostly in Southern California, where they also lived and worked.

Hope the above hasn't put you off. Another of my favourite books is entitled "The Joy of Snorkelling" and that's what snorkelling should be all about. Welcome to a great aquatic pursuit!

 

[redrover]

Hi,

Can i ask for tips for a guys new at snorkeling? Cani ask for some safety tips? and tips for prepping?


Thanks!

• Water is a reflector and exposure more intense, and in the tropics, a real shocker how much. Apply and reapply waterproof sunscreen particularly on all the back sides; don't forget legs, ears, bald spots, where suit is gonna ride away from. Try very hard to keep it out of your eye areas, it will run into them, painfully. I wear at least a T-shirt, one good 1st 1/2 hr fry was very unpleasant for the remainder of trip, wet and dry.
• Do a search here for the tips on mask defog, lot of options.
• Take a look see where other snorklers are, a good place to head for. Although, I don't suggest copying what the other snorklers are doing. I've rarely seen them IMHO doing it right, but the opposite of all I mention below.
• Make a note of the entrance/exit point and look back and find it regularly.
• Pay attention to where you are headed. If it's not taking any kicking (you are drifting with a current) turn around, work back before you will get exhausted returning.
• Don't put the mask on tightly, it will leak. The slightest hair trapped, it will leak. Grinning to broadly, it will leak. J
• Figure out how to clear mask and snorkel, flooding is no big deal or only noobies do it and easily remedied. Mask I: on the surface, tip head back, push one finger on rim at center and exhale slowly thru nose; water drains out below. Snorkle: take in a deep slow breath thru the water (some gurgling is ok, just breathe in slow enough it passes over the water) and exhale sharp and forcefully. The air shoves the water out ahead of it. Repeat until clear, you'll get the hang of it soon. I prefer to clear sooner than later, it's easier.
• Watch out getting enthralled with what is right under or beside and dip your head down and don't try breathing with the snorkel catching chop or submerged. Take a deep breath then look down or turn your head sideways so ready to clear the snorkel when you look up again.
• Mine at least, I can breathe gently thru quite a bit of water in the bottom. Avoid breathing heavy with some water in there, it leads to a panicky heaver breathing and it all just gets worse and worse. Stop and rest floating on the surface a while till breathing normal.
• If you find you are a sink like a rock body type invest in at least a core warmer, shortie or light wetsuit for buoyancy and warmth.
• I thought neoprene was insane here in the tropics but one meant I left the water cuz I wanted to vs. I was cold, stiff, sore and chattering.
• Be aware you will most likely be moving your legs and hands incessantly and you won't realize it. Stop doing that, look down and keep checking until not moving is the most natural. At first this can be every 3 seconds. Relax, let your hands just float along at your side or arms stretched out in front wrists crossed.
• If you get tired, rest, head back on the surface, all you need is mouth or nose in the air, stop fining and waving your hands around, it serves no purpose. Do some zening out with eyes closed.
• Look all around for points of interest to head over to and not just right in front. Pinnacles, walls, ridges are good spots, often out away from shore and require some swimming over deeper water to get to.
• Swimming on your back and backwards is a good alternate for rest or long distance to get somewhere. Just look around every so often; I've never traveled in a straight line for more than a minuteJ.
• I had a problem with deep water; however there was stuff to see, creatures live at different water depths. Venture out past your comfort shallow zone slowly and get used to it. It's not like you are going to stand up in 10' of water any more than 40'.
• Go slow and you'll see more. Hanging out the fish will be right smack in front and around. Much is well disguised or moves slowly, infrequently. Let them all relax and do their thing. Kick and glide, kick and glide. Scan area for the sudden brief darts and rest back or hidden again.
• Get a guide book for the critters you will be seeing so know what to be looking for. Mine have depths as well so you can concentrate on the ones at shallow depths, the ones in the surge zone, and what to keep an eye out for lurking out in the deeper water. The deeper and mid zones have the bigger fish more often. Some are buried in the sand with something or other barely protruding; dazzle your friends by finding them.
• Keep looking out into peripheral view for the big stuff; shadows, dark spots.
• If you chase something it will run away and win in a heartbeat. To approach, aim for gliding slowly (unthreateningly) alongside by minimal fining and no hand paddling, waving or any thrashing around. Act like you don't even see they are there. I know fish that can tell my eyes turn their way, it's maddening.
• Do some research on the dangerous critters you might encounter. Memorize what to watch out for: distance to maintain and behavior they interpret is challenging or threatening as well as what they will do to indicate they are gonna react back atcha. Some things like our moray eels look like ready to rip you to shreds but that is just how they look (just don't stick your hand in any holes.
• DO NOT STAND UP OR FIN the flora for any reason or belief it won't matter, or worse, plenty of other people are. It is alive although may not appear to be and fragile. Politely inform those spitwads they are abusing the environment and to stop screwing it up for the rest of us.
• Don't poke, prod or pick anything up, ride, sit, grab or stand on any critter, it damages them and/or stresses them. Don't let anyone else, it is not okay. Some are poisonous. Some are protected and have minimal distance to maintain. (Ok, you can defend yourself if it is chomping on you.)
• Surge can be a bit alarming, getting washed into something and drug back away. It's ok, chill out and rock with it, everything floating is going to be rocking along the same as you are. Just don't chill out too close and get washed over fragile wild life, sharp rocks and slammed into stuff. Closer to shore will have the sharpest surge.
• Might want to invest in a light source for peering in nooks and crannies. Have a lanyard snug around your wrist. Nothing set down for a moment (it seems) or forgotten and floating away is ever located again.
• If I want to bring something just in case like a light or camera, I stuff it into my wetsuit when not using so nothing dragging into the stuff I came to see and wrecking it, knocking up crud and and the vis.
• Even the disposable waterproof cameras can take reasonable photos. Play with your friends faces etc in the water, captures the feeling better than lined up looking like wierdos on shore in the gear. However you need a lot of light to get any color other than all blue or grey from much more than 5 feet. I find capturing depth of field challenging. When trying to impress friends a zillion photos of the top of fish get real boring and in general, lack any real zing.
• Everything looks a ton closer and bigger under water and ends up an unrecognizable dot on the photo. Save the shots for close ups filling the frame. My best cheesy camera shots are all in blinding overhead sunshine and 5' of water. Any thing less was a big disappointment.
• Fish like to moon cameras, get over it and buy several or a lot of film. I hold still with subject in viewfinder, finger on button as far down it can go before snapping, following movement until they pose for me. They've yet to respond to cajoling, begging or threats. Yep, it can take a long long time and still end up discards.
• Fish move fast, you'd think criminals were evading caught on film recognizable. Maybe they just think they look more artistic as a smudge?
• Watch the scuba divers appearing to be in an aquarium, seeing more stuff, closer and don't rest until you can be there too.

 

[freediver]

Wow redrover, that about sums it up! Nice!

 

[redstrom]

David W ---thanks for including that picture, that's awesome ! Gotta love the snorkel on the lady in the foreground. Looks like she's wearing a piece of bathroom plumbing.

 

[Thalassamania]

Wow - that about sums it up

 

[covediver]

Tips:
You don't need to buy expensive snorkel sets; in fact, it may be better to buy inexpensive gear get a few extra masks, to increase your chances of getting a good fit on little faces. (Don't buy the really, really cheap little-kid sets though.)
Make sure you're comfortable with your own snorkeling equipment. You'll have to give full attention to your child, as she/he explores this exciting new world.
Remind your child not to kick other snorkelers in the face: kids get so absorbed in what they're seeing, they tend not to notice other snorkelers!


Snorkeling Made Easy

1. The key to successful snorkeling is relaxation in the water. It is as much a psychological as it is a physical skill. You will improve your skills and become comfortable in the water with practice. Here are some training tips.
2. Put all your equipment on and practice floating in the face down and horizontal positions. Don't swim; just calmly float. You can do this in shallow water or a swimming pool.
3. Prepare for mask and/or snorkel floods. If a flood happens in open water, it can be distressing to someone who is not ready to handle the situation. Practice this skill by floating in shallow water and deliberately flooding and clearing your equipment. Here's how:
To flood your mask, gently pull it away from your face and allow water to enter the mask. To clear it out, lift your head out of the water and tilt the bottom of the mask away from your face and allow the water to drain out.
To flood your snorkel, immerse your head under the water until your snorkel fills up. Remember to hold your breath! To clear your snorkel, exhale a burst of air through your mouth to blast the water out. Then take a cautious first breath to make sure all the water is gone.
4. In the water, objects look 25% larger (or closer) than they really are. You can practice judging distance by floating in very shallow water and reaching down to touch the bottom. This will help you learn how far an ÅÂrm's length is underwater.
5. Walking with fins on can be uncertain on dry land or on a boat. If you are snorkeling from shore, shuffle into the water backwards or try putting your fins on and removing them in waist deep water. If you are snorkeling from a boat, don't put your fins on until it is time to enter the water and take them off at the boat ladder before getting back on the boat. Always take them off when you are at the ladder and do not let go of the ladder.
6. To use your fins correctly, you must use an efficient kick. You can do this by using a slow flutter kick motion. Try to keep your knees and ankles relaxed to prevent your leg muscles from cramping. Once you are proficient in this skill, you will notice that your fins propel you through the water. You will hardly need to use your arms and can let them rest easily at your side, or keep one arm floating in front of your head to act as a bumper.
7. Once you have mastered using your equipment, practice controlling your movements in the water.
8. You will feel more comfortable and calm in the water as you improve your maneuvering abilities and you will minimize accidental bump-ins with objects in the water such as other snorkelers, reef elements, buoys, etc.
9. Knowing your personal limitations is a vital skill often overlooked. Recognize them and remain alert to them. There is no good reason to push your limits. They will change with each snorkeling opportunity presented. Factors to consider are water temperature, surge, currents, and visibility. Your personal limitations will also change when you gain experience, get older, or have a change in health.
10. A relaxed snorkeler gets more pleasure out of snorkeling and a greater appreciation of the environment. A calm snorkeler seems less threatening and when the aquatic wildlife realizes you are not a threat, they resume their normal routine, allowing you to experience their world.

Before You Purchase Snorkel Equipment

Snorkeling is one of the easiest, safest and most pleasant ways to explore the underwater world. Snorkel equipment is quite simple and you only need three essential pieces of gear: a mask, a snorkel, and a set of fins. The right equipment will make your experience an event to remember.

The Mask
If you are going to purchase only one piece of equipment, buy a proper fitting mask. It is the most important piece of equipment for snorkeling; it is your window to the underwater world. A correctly fitted mask will keep water out. The most common reason a mask leaks is that hair is trapped under the skirt. Brush away any stray hair before trying on a mask.
1. Fold the strap over the front of the mask so that it is out of the way.
2. Hold the mask against your face.
3. Make sure it fits comfortably around your eyes and nose.
4. Choose another size if necessary.
5. While the mask is against your face, inhale through your nose.
6. The vacuum created in the mask should hold it against your face when you take your hand away.
7. If the mask doesn't stay put, repeat the process until you find one that does.

Tips:
Don't settle for an ill-fitting mask.
If you find more than one mask that fits, compare the features before making your purchase decision.
Before using a mask in the pool, be sure to clean off the inside of the glass with toothpaste two or three times and rinse thoroughly. This helps prevent fogging.
Anti-fog drops can be purchased for the mask. Most people find that rinsing with soap works well. Some divers advocate spitting in the mask to prevent fogging.

The Snorkel

Your snorkel allows you to breathe through your mouth while floating face down in the water. Using the snorkel efficiently and comfortably requires practice. After all, humans are used to breathing through their noses. To make matters easy, you can buy a snorkel with a purge valve to help remove unwanted water.

The Fins

Snorkel fins ought to be flexible and lightweight. There are two basic styles: full foot and adjustable strap. Full foot fins are typically lighter, but adjustable strap fins allow you to protect your feet by wearing booties. Neoprene booties guard your feet from jagged coral and any sharp objects on the bottom or in the sand.
Some people wear neoprene or lycra socks to prevent blisters.


Care of equipment

The number one cause of equipment damage is neglecting to soak it in fresh water. Start your maintenance with a thorough soaking in fresh water after every dive trip. If you don't, salt crystals will dry and harden causing metal parts to weaken and rust; straps and fabrics will stiffen and crack. The crystals, along with sand, act like an abrasive causing scratches and holes in equipment.

Brief Maintenance Guide
Check all straps by stretching them and looking for cracks and tears.
On the mask look for cracks in the skirt or lense.
Inspect purge valves for bits of sand or salt that may have survived the washing and also look for cracks.
A broken strap can be replaced by a new one or use a good strap from a spare mask.
If the snorkel keeper is broken, use a rubber band or duct tape.
If the purge valve leaks and cleaning doesn't fix it, try sealing it with neoprene cement or covering it with duct tape.
Protect your equipment from light, heat and fumes.
Do not pile heavy weights on top of them.
To avoid bent fins, they should lie flat, not on their tips.
Don't let silicone rest against neoprene; the silicone will become discolored.
Pack the fins so that they lie flat, either at the bottom of the gear bag or the side.
Put the mask in its protective case and pack the snorkel separately.

Snorkeling

Practice in shallow water.
Check the equipment carefully and know how it functions.
Learn how to clear water from the snorkel.
Learn how to put your mask back on when you tread water.
Be careful not to swim or be carried by a current too far from shore or the boat.
Never snorkel alone.
Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. This includes anyone participating in any water sport. Most pools have swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability.
Know local weather conditions. Make sure the water and weather conditions are safe. Because water conducts electricity, it is wise to stop swimming, boating or any activities on the water as soon as you see or hear a storm. Also, heavy rains can make certain areas dangerous.

 

[alex_tx]

Once you get comfortable with all these great suggestions, here is a method on how you can always time your surface snorkel blow easily. This method will even work in limited to no visibility water. Most people should know the answer to part#1. The Part#2 answer [Solution to issue#2] is the trick that most people over look. Snorkel Riddle

 

[RalphinOrmond]

The basic act of snorkeling would be for your entire snorkel to have gone underwater, intentionally or otherwise, and to then clear the snorkel without undue effort or concern and to then to go on moving through the water. This act is much more simple than it appears and is almost instinctive. I suppose that most people of all ages are quite comfortable at it after the first submersion. However, away from swimming pools, the underwater is basically a wilderness and there is one rule that should never be forgotten if one wants to have a good time and survive as well: Know your limits and do not exceed them. So, learn all the stuff above, read books and magazines, research where you'll be going snorkeling and know what to expect. But if, anywhere, any time, you get that kind of dizzy feeling that you are about to do something that is beyond your skill level, then pull back and don't do it. If you will feel embarrassed, well then maybe you deserve to be. If that's the truth, so what? You'll learn, you'll grow, there's time. As far as equipment goes, even the best (for casual snorkeling) is not that expensive. I tend to trust my own judgment on what looks best for my purposes and then buy it. So later I change my idea of what's best and buy more stuff. Big deal. What's an extra hundred bucks for being well-equipped for something as wonderful and full of beauty as flying though the underwater world?

 

[bosbik]

thanks much guys!...learned alot from them..still trying to digest them though..hehehe
honestly thanks very much guys!!