Snorkeling is easy, safe and a wonderful way to access the most unexplored part of our planet – The Oceans. It is a great way to see the wonders of nature, to discover the unexpected and is also, a great form of exercise. No special training is required to snorkel, for as long as you can swim, you can snorkel. Whether you are an experienced snorkeler or a rookie, here are a few tips that can maximize your pleasure in discovering the underwater world.
The Mask
The Mask
- The fit of the mask on your face should be very secure, leaving no gaps between your face and the mask, so as to prevent water from seeping in. If air leaks in, so will the water.
- Place the mask over your face, to test the fit, then inhale and hold your breath; the suction should be strong enough for the mask to stay in place, without you having to hold on to it and until such time you exhale.
- Keep long hair out of the way while placing the mask on. Hair between the face and the mask will affect the secure sealing of the mask. Men with beards and moustaches should apply Vaseline to help seal the mask in place.
- Defogging of the mask – to ensure clear visibility under water, rinse the interior of your mask with any defogging product, alternatively use a drop of baby shampoo, or spit on it. But if you are in Hawaii, use the crushed leaves of the Naupaka plant that grows near the shore. Rinsing your mask in the ocean water with its salt content, is the most effective way to defog your mask.
Fins
- Fins are a necessary part of your snorkeling outfit.
- Choose fins that are not too tight, as this could cause your toes to curl up. Tight fitting fins could cause cramps and could be potentially dangerous.
- Loose fins on the other hand will slip off your feet. So try various sizes to find the perfect fit.
- When trying them on, remember it is easier to put them on, when your feet are wet.
Breathing
- Put on the snorkel and practice breathing with it before you actually go into the water.
- Put the mask on and test the secure fit as described above.
- Place the snorkel mouthpiece into your mouth and close your lips around it in the same way a sportsperson does a mouth guard.
- Do not bite down on the mouthpiece, that will not make breathing easier, and it will also cause your jaws to hurt.
- Once everything is comfortable, get in the water and allow yourself to float face down as you practice breathing in and out slowly.
Know Your Boundaries
Overestimating your abilities and thinking you can do more than you really can is one of the biggest mistakes that snorkelers make. Overextending yourself can result in all kinds of body aches and pain (the next day, or even sooner). Besides a possibility could arise where others may have to help you while you are in the water. Temperature, currents, visibility surge, and the time of day or night – all these affect your metabolism and how long you can stay in the water and how much you can do. Consequently, every time you do get into the water, your tolerance boundaries will change.
Relax and Have Fun
Hawaii is one of the best places in the world to go snorkeling. To have the best of experiences, charter a boat with a competent captain and crew and a boat that has all the equipment you will need. The crew will take you to the best snorkeling spots; they will take all the precaution needed to keep you safe and ensure that you have the adventure of a lifetime.
Reference:
http://sailhawaii.com/howtosnorkel.html
