How to Teach Snorkeling To Kids

Children take to water like ducks and love to explore the extent of their abilities, while having fun. Introducing kids to the underwater world, widening their scope of knowledge of the undersealife, adds to their well-rounded development. Snorkeling is the best and simplest way to do this and kids as young as 5 or 6 years old, can be taught to snorkel. Here is how to make snorkeling an integral part of their swimming experience.

Kids Snorkeling 101

• Buy the kids, snorkels and masks that fit comfortably. Since they will outgrow them soon, go in for inexpensive (not cheap or shoddy) equipment. Make sure that the mask fits tightly but is comfortable. To check this, see if the mask stays stuck to the face when the kids exhale hard through the nose.
• Tell them how the equipment is to be used and allow them to play with it until they are comfortable with it. Encourage them to get used to breathing through the snorkel.
• A common problem is that kids hate the feeling of rubber straps pulling against their hair. To combat this, fit the strap so that any rubbing against the hair is minimized. With the mask tightly in place, start the practice session in a bath tub and allow the kids to put their faces under water. Gradually loosen the strap until water starts to trickle in. This will allow the kids to understand why the mask has to be firmly in place.
• Next let the kids use the snorkel in the tub to get used to breathing under water. Often children get so enchanted with the new sensation that they are reluctant to stop. Ensure that they begin with just a minute or two under water and gradually increase the time spent under water, in stages.
• Once the kids understand how to use the mask and snorkel, take them to a swimming pool and allow them to practice using the equipment there.
• Remember that children can get excited and become careless in putting on their masks and snorkels. Always check the fit yourself before letting them duck their heads under water.
• Once they can swim and dive underwater in the pool, the next step is to take them into open water. Begin in a calm lagoon or something similar. There should be no or only minimal wave action as this can disorient a child who is still learning to snorkel.
• Allow the children to use water wings so they don’t expend all their energy swimming on the surface and become too tired to enjoy the snorkeling experience.
• The most important aspect of teaching kids to snorkel safely is to always set a good example and be meticulous in checking the equipment, putting it on, monitoring the amount of time spent in the water and obeying all the safety rules.

One of the most memorable snorkeling experiences that you can create, for “the young ones”, would be to take them to the best snorkeling locations as early in their lives, as possible. Among the very best are the waters off the big island of Hawaii. This would be the ideal location to introduce your young new snorkelers to, as comfortable charter boats with experienced crew are available. The crew of the charter boat you hire, will guide and support your snorkeling adventure, and ensure the safety of your entourage, making your snorkeling experience a delight.

10 Snorkeling Safety Tips

Snorkeling is a very safe pastime. But everything has its risks, including crossing the road. The key to enjoying your snorkeling experience is to keep the safety rules in mind, the same way you look both ways before crossing the street. Here are 10 rules that professional snorkelers follows to stay safe in the water.

1. Snorkel in groups. At least 3 people is best – 2 people in the water looking out of reach other and one person on the shore or the boat keeping a lookout for any possible problems.
2. Ensure that one person stays on the surface at all times so that if the person underwater has any problems, the person on the surface can signal the shore or boat and then go down to help.
3. Look after your overall health. The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy the experience and the better you will be able to cope with any minor problems that may arise.
4. If you want to really get into snorkeling, get training from a recognized training school or institute. This will teach you how to do more underwater in a safe manner.
5. Respect your equipment. That means taking care of it by cleaning it and checking for incipient problems after each dive. Check it again before entering the water. A mask that allows water to enter, a leaking snorkel valve or a broken strap on a fin can ruin your fun.
6. Go snorkeling only in safe places. If there is heavy boat traffic or dangerous currents, avoid the location, no matter how tempting it is. Ensure that the water is easy and you can reach the shore or your boat without any problems.
7. Check the tides to find the right time. The best snorkeling times are during slack water which is usually near between high and low tides.
8. Check the weather before venturing out. Rain is not normally a problem when snorkeling, but high winds that whip up the surface can make things unpleasant. As a thumb rule, do not snorkel if the wind speed is above 12 MPH.
9. Do not fall into the trap of hyperventilating. This can affect the carbon dioxide balance in your lungs and body and cause dizziness or even blackouts.
10. Do not dive if you have a cold as if mucus is forced into the Eustachian tubes while snorkeling, it could lead to an infection. In fact, do not snorkel if you are unwell. If you have recently recovered from a major illness, check with your doctor before entering the water. Although you may feel okay, there could be some lingering after affects you are not aware of that could cause a relapse or other complications.

Snorkeling in well-known places like the waters off the Big Island of Hawaii is the safest. Going out in a charter boat with an experienced crew that can guide and accompany rookies and assist experienced snorkelers gives a sense of comfort and will ensure that you stay safe.

Can You Snorkel While Wearing Spectacles? Part – 2

In the first part of this blog we looked at the problems people with weak eyesight face while snorkeling and why wearing glasses under water is not possible. Now let’s look at the options available to those with a weak vision.

Prescription Masks

Manufacturers of snorkeling equipment make masks with prescription lenses. These will usually have to be specifically ordered. In some cases the normal lens of a standard mask can be removed and replaced by a prescribed one. If this appears to be an attractive option, consult an eye specialist to ensure that you will not have any vision issues before going ahead. It is a good idea to purchase 2 such masks at the same time. The loss or breaking of one could leave you unable to snorkel until the replacement arrives. If this happens on a vacation, the whole trip could be ruined.

Contact Lenses

You can snorkel with contact lenses. Snorkeling with soft contact lenses rarely causes problems. However, use of hard or gas permeable lenses is not advisable as these can get stuck to the eye due to the increased pressure when under water. Removing lenses in such cases can be painful. Another problem with these lenses is that if air bubbles should get trapped between the eye and the lens, vision could become blurry. If you decide to wear your contact lenses while snorkeling, you must remember that if gets flooded or if you need to remove your mask while underwater, your eyes must be closed right away. If this is not done, the lenses may get washed away. The use of contact lens rewetting drops after snorkeling will reduce any eyestrain that may be felt and also makes removing the lenses easier.

Eye Surgery

Snorkeling is possible after most corrective eye surgeries. There will be a waiting time to allow the eye to completely heal before snorkeling can be attempted. The time will depend on the nature of the procedure  and an ophthalmologist should be consulted before entering the water. Some types of eye surgery preclude the possibility of snorkeling in the future and if you have had a procedure of this kind, do not attempt to snorkel, even with special equipments.

Bi-Focal Attachments

If your vision issues are limited to needing glasses to read, there are small sticks on magnifying glasses that can be placed on the lens of a snorkeling mask. These act in the same way that reading glasses or bi-focals do and will allow for a clear vision of nearby objects.

The main attraction of snorkeling is the wonders of the underwater world that are waiting to be seen. Seen is the key word and with weak vision, not only will you be unable to appreciate the wonders before you, you could also place yourself in a dangerous situation. However, with the options available, there is no reason to let poor eyesight stop you from enjoying snorkeling the same as everyone else. Get the advice of a snorkeling professional and consult your eye specialist before deciding on which option you want to use.

Can You Snorkel while Wearing Spectacles? Part – 1

Snorkeling opens up a whole new world of underwater wonders. Wearing a mask, you can’t smell anything. Sound is muffled and you will be engulfed in a world of silence. There are some things you can touch and feel, but you have to be careful not to place yourself in danger. Your eyes play a vital part as you glide through the underwater world. So what happens when your eyesight is weak? 

How good should Your Vision be?

The obvious answer is that the better your vision, the better you will be able to appreciate all that there is to see under the surface. But there is more to it than that. Snorkeling with a buddy is the safest and most fun way to do it – shared experiences are always better. But underwater communications depend on hand signals and gestures. Not being able to see what your buddy is trying to tell you could mean that you miss out on seeing something special. More seriously, you could miss a danger signal and wind up in trouble. For example, if you both have agreed that holding up 3 fingers means “Let’s go up” and you see only 2 fingers that mean “Let’s go deeper”, then you could be in trouble. And you need to be able to see your depth gauge clearly to know how deep you are and your watch to know how long you have been in the water.

It is a fact that the magnifying properties of water makes objects appear to be larger and closer than they actually are. This could, at times, make up for a mild vision problem. But a person with normal vision will immediately feel the difference in perception and adjust for it.  Persons wearing spectacles may not be able to perceive the difference when not wearing them underwater and this can lead to all kind of problems, like banging into objects.

Millions of People wear Spectacles

Hundreds of millions of people all over the world wear prescription glasses to correct their vision. It does not affect their live and putting on the glasses is as natural as combing their hair. So why not wear them while snorkeling? The reason is simply because the earpieces of the spectacles will not allow the mask skirt to seal properly and water will enter the mask. Even if a mask can seal completely over the eye-glasses, the pressure in the mask will cause them to grind into the snorkeler’s face. And what do you do if the lenses mist up inside the mask? The bottom line is you cannot swim wearing your spectacles.

Snorkeling is as safe as any other outdoor sport but that does not mean you can take it for granted. Remember that you are in an alien environment and you have to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Whether you are an experienced snorkeler or a rookie, going out in a charter boat, like the ones vacationers can use on the big island of Hawaii, is the safest, most convenient and comfortable way to enjoy the world below the surface.

In the next part of this blog we will talk about the options available for people with weak eyesight to safely snorkel and derive the maximum fun from it.

Water in Your Mask – How to Overcome the Fear Part – 2

In the last blog we looked at the basics of removing water from your mask. Nowlet’s look at the procedure in more detail. Master these steps and water in the mask will never be a problem for you.

1. Before you begin, remind yourself that you are practicing a way to overcome a discomfort, not a danger. Remember that staying relaxed makes everything much easier. If you want to, you can practice these steps on land, as much as possible, to increase your comfort levels.
2. Pinch the upper mask skirt to allow a little water to trickle in. Allow the water to flow near or over your eyes. Start slow and keep increasing speed of the inflow. Keep doing this till you are okay with water reaching till just below your eyes.
3. Now practice breathing in and out through your mouth with the snorkel. Next try breathing in from the mouth and out through the nose. If you feel water going into your nostrils, breathe out through the nose and tilt you head down to look at the floor. This will trap air in the nostril and stop water from getting in.
4. Next, use one hand to hold the mask firmly against your forehead. Take a deep breath though the mouth and look down to keep water out of your nose. Exhale as hard as you can through the nose while tiling your head up. Continue exhaling as long as you can. Air will bubble up to the top of the mask and force water out from the bottom. Ensure that the mask is firm against your forehead, to prevent air from escaping from the top of the mask. Before you finish exhaling, look down again to prevent any remaining water from entering your nose.
5. You will probably need to repeat the process a few times to get rid of all the water.
6. You are not going to be able to get rid of all the water on your first attempt. Go to the surface, relax for a few minutes and repeat step 4. Keep doing it until you are able to clear all the water from your mask.
7. Keep practicing until you are confident of your mask clearing abilities.

That’s it. Water in your mask is no longer a worry for you.

Snorkeling opens up a new world to you. Like all rewarding activities, it does require a little effort and care to do it properly to maximize the enjoyment it offers. There will always be small hassles like getting water in your mask. For a rookie, this can cause discomfort and perhaps even a slight feeling of panic. Going snorkeling on a charter boat with an experienced crew will ensure you have the confidence and support you need to deal with these minor glitches quickly and easily. Whether you are a novice or an experienced snorkeler, the underwater world off the big island of Hawaii is an unforgettable experience. How great it is depends a lot on the boat that takes you to the snorkeling locations, the comforts it offers and experience of the crew. The best boats will give you the best experience.

Water in Your Mask – How to Overcome the Fear Part - 1

Snorkeling reputedly is a safe sport, but when underwater there are some issues that can happen to cause discomfort. The most common concern is, water entering your mask. It happens to everyone, even the most experienced of snorkelers. While old hands deal with it as a matter of routine, it can be a cause of panic for the rookie. A snorkeling instructor will teach you how to clear water from inside your mask quickly and effectively. However, that does not mean that the fear and discomfort will immediately disappear when it does happens. There are some steps that you can take, by yourself, to help you overcome the groundless, but natural fear that comes when water gets into your mask.

Managing Your Fear

Practice without a mask:

The mask is not essential for breathing under water. You need to prove to yourself that you can breathe even with your nose surrounded by water. Get into shallow water where you feel safe. Without using a mask, but with a snorkel, put your face into the water and practice breathing through your mouth, using the snorkel. Carry out this exercise as slowly and as calmly, as possible. Initially, water may get into your nose, and you will have to surface, to clear it.  After a while, you will find that breathing underwater without a mask is easy. Keep doing this until it is routine. You can even practice this in the bathtub at home, if you feel more comfortable doing it, in the privacy of your home.

Put water in your mask: 

Once you feel comfortable breathing without a mask, the next step is to deliberately allow a small amount of water to enter your mask so you can practice mask clearing skills. To allow water to get in, pinch the top seal of the mask with 2 fingers to allow a few drops of water to trickle in. Then let go. Keep increasing the amount of water you allow in as your ability and confidence in your mask clearing skills increases. Keep doing this until you are able to clear a fully flooded mask.

How to actually clear water from your mask will be discussed in the next part of this blog.

Snorkel With Experts

The best way to overcome your fear of water entering your mask and overcoming any other apprehensions you may have, is to snorkel with experts. Going out to snorkeling locations on a charter boat with an experienced crew means that everything you do is carefully monitored and any mistakes you make will be spotted and corrected quickly. Even after a lot of practice, water entering your mask when in open water can still cause some fear. Knowing that help is at hand will enable you to stay calm and deal with the problem the right way so you can continue to snorkel comfortably and maximize your enjoyment. Hawaii is a great snorkeling destination and the charter boats with professional crews that are available there will ensure that you have a great vacation.

The Essentials of Snorkeling Safety

Let’s be clear about one thing – snorkeling is among all sports, the safest of sports / pastimes. True, every activity has its risks. For instance, you could fall off a chair playing chessor get hit by a golf ball. Snorkeling is no exception. Taking needless risks in any activity is detrimental to your safety, so here are a few tips on how to maximize your safety when snorkeling.

Staying Safe in the Water

Never do it alone

Always swim in pairs or in a group. Make it a point to keep an eye on each other so that if your partner needs assistance, it can be given without delay. Your underwater “buddy” should be a person you can depend on or a professional snorkeler. Remember all the safety rules about swimming in general also apply to snorkeling.

Stay near the shore or boat

It’s easy to overestimate your abilities and endurance and swim out too far. Always stay within comfortable swimming distance of your starting point. If you are unsure of your abilities in the open water, swim out a short distance and return. If you feel comfortable, swim a little further and do the same thing. Keep doing this until you find that you have reached the limit of your comfort. This is yoursnorkeling range and never go beyond it. Also keep in mind that water conditions can affect your strength and endurance, so always keep a safety margin when deciding how far you cansnorkel.

Conserve your energy

Flotation devices like a waist belt or snorkeling vest are not just for beginners. Even experienced snorkelers use them to conserve energy and extend their time in the water. You can leave the belt or vest on the surface when you dive and go back for it, when you surface. Another way of conserving energy is to limit your time underwater. Short dives use up much less energy than longer ones. Go back to the surface before you reach your limits. You can always return to see more.

Be aware of where you are

Learn about the environment you will be in so you can take precautions against currents, pounding surf and dangerous underwater protrusions.

Do not touch marine life

Most underwater creatures will avoid contact with humans. But if you get too close to them, they may act to defend themselves and this could cause you injury. Remember that when under the water you are in their world so act as a guest should.

Whether you are an experienced snorkeler or a beginner, the best way to stay safe and maximize the enjoyment that you will derive from it, is to go out on a charter boat. A boat with an experienced crew will take you to the best snorkeling spots, provide you with the gear you need (if you don’t have your own) and do all that it takes to keep you safe.  They will also be able to give you valuable tips on underwater etiquette, as well will be knowledgeable about the underwater currents and conditions. Among the best places to snorkel and also where the best charter boats can be found are on the Big Island of Hawaii.