Snorkeling is the most popular type of diving and involves the use of flappers, a mask, an air tube, and a floating vest can also be used.
Snorkeling involves diving on the surface with a dived head to see the underwater world.
Divers do not go with their whole body in water.
Can you breathe with a snorkel? It’s possible to breathe while snorkeling. It’s recommended, but you must learn the techniques of holding your breath and only breathing when necessary.
The issue is immediately imposed at the beginning, especially when considering the wide range of opportunities for various forms of diving and underwater activities.
It’s undeniable that diving, especially with oxygen bottles, is far more interesting and attractive for observing the underwater world, but the main advantage of snorkeling is that it is accessible to everyone.
Diving requires equipment, course and instructor, physical capabilities and abilities, etc. while snorkeling is enough to only know how to swim.
In short, it can be handled by anyone, from a small child to an older person.
As for physical training, almost every person who can swim is capable of trying to snorkel. Moreover, it makes it easier to get used to swimming with a submerged head underwater.
Therefore, all you need for snorkeling is a mask, swim, the way to the sea, and the underwater world is yours.
Still, something to note. Diving from the surface, which is mostly snorkeling, requires a clear sea.
It provides the ability to observe the underwater world at depths of up to a few meters.
It’s a good thing that underwater flora and fauna are just at these depths the richest.
What you need to be able to
Although generally, snorkeling is available to everyone, however, a person must have some basic knowledge and skills.
So, for yourself to be in snorkeling 100%, you have to be able to keep good on the water — this is the first and mandatory requirement. With a lack of confidence, a person can easily drown.
Experts recommend that you practice swimming for at least 15 minutes before exercising snorkeling. The basic skills of swimming in the stomach and back are also good things.
It is also very important to learn how to use a breathing tube in advance; otherwise, there is a great risk of choking.
You should be confident in your ability to hold your breath for more than a minute.
It is also very important to get used to diving equipment in advance, get used to it, and learn to swim with all of this equipment. Only then can you begin to train directly.
Already experienced snorkels (so-called sportsmen) can dive underwater and without equipment, only in special swimming suits. But for this, you have to be assured of your ability and ability of the lungs.
Snorkel tube
A snorkel tube is a flexible tube, mainly made of plastic or solid rubber, which connects the mouth under the surface with air above the surface.
It allows breathing while the face is in the water.
The correct breather allows breathing in a light and comfortable way for a long time.
Snorkel tube is different in design according to diameter and length and should be chosen based on the needs of the person and his body anatomy.
Generally, a larger diameter of the tube is desirable because it facilitates the outbreak of air, but too large an aperture allows a greater amount of water to enter the breathing apparatus that is later to be ejected if the person is dived.
There are many quality and expensive diving equipment on the market that are designed for underwater fishermen and divers, but for snorkeling, almost every tube that allows comfortably breathing underwater is good enough.
It is necessary to breathe with a breathing apparatus to keep it underwater as long as possible.
It should be noted that its length is usually not more than 30 to 40 centimeters, meaning it does not include deep diving.
However, swimming with it on the surface is very easy and comfortable to breathe.
When selecting a dive tube, you must pay attention to the presence of the lower valve – it facilitates the cleaning of the pipe.
It is also important to choose the right diameter — the larger, the easier it is to breathe, but it is even harder to clean the products of water.
It’s recommended not to take the diameter of the tubes for more than two centimeters.
It’s also important to place a post, which should be free to fit in the mouth in such a way that it does not need to bend, but it should not be difficult either.
The swimming tube can be set up even to the left and right, but keep in mind that it does not have to fit closer to the ears but to the face.
By choosing this type of equipment, you should try and understand if the location is appropriate.
Breathing in the water should be deep, well-sealed, and careful; otherwise, there is a risk that water will enter the lungs.
Vest: With or without it?
The vest is something that is not always necessary. It is only necessary if the snorkel tube cannot stay above the water at all.
The material from which the actual vest does not permit the sinking and holding of the person on the surface.
At the same time, diving into it is much more problematic than without it.
Safety
Although snorkeling is far safer than any other form of diving, it is worth mentioning several very important safety tips, especially for those who are beginners.
Most accidents and difficulties occur when the person is alone in the sea. Unfortunately, most of the tragic accidents that occurred in such situations could have been avoided if the person was not alone.
So do not ever go snorkeling yourself, especially if you are a beginner.
It’s very important to check the mask and other equipment before starting snorkeling.
It is also very easy to shallow check-in water whether the mask is leaking water, whether the breathing apparatus works, etc.
It is also important to familiarize yourself with your equipment and its features first before going on a serious sightseeing trip.
Although a person is immersed in water, there is still a real danger of dehydration, especially in high-temperature cases.
The problem occurs, especially when a person is having a long time in the sea because the body does not show so many pronounced signs of thirst.
Another danger of similar nature is the danger of negative UV rays of the sun.
In the sea, we do not feel that the body flies as if on the land during sunbathing, because the sea maintains a comfortable body temperature, but despite this, the harmful effect on the skin is very pronounced.
Even when the sea is calm, it may be dangerous.
Sea currents, sudden changes in wind and waves, and sea freight traffic are just some of the potential dangers in the sea.
Never leave too far from the shore or the boat, observe the events in the sea, and in the sea, such as sea currents, waves, and wind power, and ask the host about possible dangers.
Interacting with an underwater organism can disrupt sea ecosystems but also jeopardize the health of the diver, as the sea abounds in various poisonous and harsh organisms and forms.
Although collecting snail shells and shellfish will not hurt anyone and will be a very nice souvenir, any touch of coral or some other living underwater organisms can be dangerous and can lead to disturbing underwater ecosystems.
Snorkeling technique
What is snorkeling and what is needed for it is now clear?
It remains to know more in detail about how to start practicing this exciting business right away.
The first stage is a mask. Then, attach the tube and adjust its height (important: if the suit is used, first put it, even before the mask).
Entering the water with the flappers should be backward; movements should be smooth — otherwise, there will be no underwater inhabitants near the dive, and there will be no one to look at.
In the water you should immediately relax as much as possible, swim, and take a deep breath, smoothly and quietly.
The feet should not be rolled in the water; they need to be moved equally, and slowly. Hands should be held alongside the body, do not try to help your feet in swimming.
Put your head in the water; you have to breathe deeply, firmly hold the mouth of the tubes, lower your head and exhale.
If you feel tired, you should relax and relax while the mask does not need to be removed.
Once you reach the surface, it is imperative not to forget that the water must be out of the tube – It is necessary to make two or three strong exhalations in the tube.
Snorkeling tips
- After diving, all used equipment must be thoroughly washed in fresh water.
- The mask and the swimsuit cannot be left in direct sunlight.
- Before diving, you must use sunscreen to prevent burns.
- In water, visibility is distorted by about twenty percent – everything looks closer than it is.
- Do not touch any underwater inhabitants.
- Before snorkeling, it is important to study the underwater terrain of the area and its inhabitants.
- Even with experience in snorkeling, you should never dive yourself – anything can happen. Before diving, you must tell someone about it.
- There are cheap disposable devices for underwater photography.
- Seawater is lighter, so diving training is better in the sea rather than in the pool.
- First diving is recommended under the supervision of an experienced trainer.
- You should not start diving at great depths; it is better to first master the area near the coast.
- Snorkeling is recommended when it is quiet weather, without waves, with water and air temperature about 30 degrees above zero.
So let’s summarize the answer to your question.
Summary
If you are practicing snorkeling, you can breathe underwater, but if you are familiar with the rules and techniques and hold the snorkeling tube above the water.
Our world, our nature, is full of mysteries and miracles. We do not know half the incredible creatures that inhabit our planet.
Technologies of modern life give the chance to even touch these secrets.
That’s why snorkeling is an unbelievable opportunity to approach the part of nature.
