- Advantages of snorkeling
- Snorkeling - what equipment?
- Distance underwater
- How to breathe with a mask and a tube?
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Snorkeling is the easiest (and cheapest) way to observe the underwater world. To get started, all you need to do is buy ABC diving gear, i.e. a mask, snorkel and fins. The tempered glass mask for the eyes and nose and the tube allow you to see and breathe clearly under water, and thanks to the fins you can quickly move long distances. Snorkeling is treated as a separate discipline or as the first step in learning scuba diving.
Snorkelingis shallow swimming or hovering just below the water surface, which allows you to view coral reefs and colorful fish from the perspective of a log floating on the water surface. Thanks to special glasses and a tube that allows you to breathe freely, you can experience an amazing adventure without investing in diving equipment and courses.
Advantages of snorkeling
The greatest advantage of snorkeling is its availability, because both children and adults can snorkel. For the most primitive variety of this sport - diving in shallow water, you don't even need special swimming skills, and even then you can see unique flora and fish.
The cost of the basic equipment is about PLN 100 for the mask + snorkel set, and the same for the fins. This small amount is enough to experience an amazing adventure during your holiday trip. After immersing yourself in perfectly transparent or turquoise water for the first time and opening your eyes, you will see a space you had no idea about while swimming or playing in the water. It turns out that thanks to special glasses, the eye begins to see in rippled and "dense" water, as in the air - the shapes are clear and the colors are intense. This is the reason why so many people trying to snorkel get hooked on the diving bug.
The most popular foreign destinations for snorkeling are Greece, Croatia, Egypt, Turkey, Cyprus and Thailand. The Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea are recommended as excellent snorkeling spots.
Another advantage of snorkeling is that the equipment is light and space-saving, and you can try it yourself. Thanks to this, in order to start, there is no need to go on an organized diving trip and pay an instructor. You just need to pack the necessary equipment into your holiday suitcase and try snorkeling insunbathing breaks on the beach.
Snorkeling as a safe form of diving is also recommended for people who feel afraid of diving several dozen meters and do not want to dive deep.
Snorkeling - what equipment?
To begin with, all you need is a mask, snorkel (tube) and fins. A wetsuit will be needed only at the next stage of learning, when you have mastered the basics of diving and decide to go to deeper waters.
Snorkeling mask
Before buying, it is best to try on the mask and check if it sticks to the head well enough. In the store, press the mask against your face (do not wear the headband) to keep it attached. Lean forward slightly and check that the mask sticks to your face for a while. Then put on the strap and check that the silicone collar of the mask fits snugly against your face on all sides. Also, check that the tip of your nose is not touching the mask, if that's the case - look for a mask with a larger nose. This is important because it can make it difficult to cleanse water in the event of flooding. Modern masks are usually made of tempered glass (very impact-resistant, and after possible damage, it is practically impossible to damage the eye) and a silicone collar. The most popular are masks with a transparent collar that does not limit the field of view. Masks with a black collar are more likely to be chosen by cinematographers and photographers - in such a mask, you can immediately view cropped fragments of the underwater world. You can choose masks with a uniform (one piece), split (two glasses, like glasses) and panoramic (additional glasses on the sides of the mask, expanding the field of view).
Advantages of a good snorkeling mask:
- provides a large vertical and horizontal viewing angle;
- small volume allows it to be easily cleaned of water if it gets inside;
- tightly adheres to the face;
- made of good quality materials that will withstand several seasons of snorkeling;
- the mask price ranges from 40 to several hundred zlotys.
Distance underwater
Underwater image is out of focus due to different refraction of sunlight in the water. We see clearly in glasses because light enters the eye from the air environment. However, the rays that pass through the lens in the mask refract, changing the perspective.
Therefore, what we see underwater seems to be 1/4 closer (hence what should be within reach is beyond it) and 1/3 larger than it actually is.
Snorkeling tube
Pipe(tube) is usually attached to the mask with straps on the left side. The tube should be 2 cm in diameter and approximately 35 cm long. Using the clasp, you can adjust the place of its attachment to the mask. This is very important because the tube should not protrude more than 5-8 cm above the head after wearing the mask. A longer snorkel may cause breathing resistance and reduce the enjoyment of diving. The tube ends on one side with a mouthpiece, and on the other with a valve that prevents water from pouring in.
Snorkeling fins
Fins allow you to travel and cover quite long distances. For beginners, strip fins will work best. They are produced only in 4 sizes: S, M, L, XL. So it is not always possible to find a fin that is perfectly suited to the foot. However, it is better to buy slightly too large fins than too small ones - it will not make it difficult to swim or cause abrasions. Important! Strap fins are always put on diving shoes.
Complementary snorkeling equipment
- Swimming jersey - protects against excessive sunburn on the shoulders and back when the diver swims just below the water surface, which is what snorkeling is all about.
- Snorkeling wetsuit - thinner, lighter and much cheaper than wetsuit and has a zipper elsewhere, recommended for those who dive in cooler waters.
How to breathe with a mask and a tube?
The snorkeling mask covers your eyes and mouth, therefore you will only breathe through your mouth while diving. Start by just putting on the mask and breathing deeply through your mouth for a while to get used to the fact that you can't use your nose. After a while, put the tube in your mouth - the silicone mouthpiece cover should rest against the gums, thanks to which you can easily cover the beginning of the tube with your lips and squeeze the protruding ends with your teeth. Take a few breaths without descending. Only when it starts to come out naturally for you, you can go into the water.
Important! Do not clench your teeth too hard or you may damage the mouthpiece. The comment applies mainly to beginner divers, who often grit their teeth unknowingly in a stressful situation.