How to use your Snorkeling gear during a Snorkeling Holiday

Using your Snorkeling Gear

With your new diver snorkeling gear,you are about to enter a world of wonder,natural beauty and fun.Snorkeling is easy.Something friends,couples and the whole family can enjoy together while on a snorkeling holiday.Now lets look at some snorkeling tips so as to get the most out of your snorkeling adventures.

Snorkeling gear setup:

First,lets set up your gear.Start by washing the inside of your new snorkeling mask with mild tissue or non-gel toothpaste to remove the many manufacturing compounds that can make it fog up.Then hook the snorkel on the outside of the mask strap on the left.Pull the inserts out of the snorkeling fin foot pockets and thats it,you are ready to go snorkeling.

Using your snorkeling gear:

If you are going to be out for long,be sure to wear a water proof sun screen or wear a divers skin suit or even a light wet suit.It is worthy to note that in colder water,a wet suit keeps you warmer and helps you float.Next,rub de-fog inside your mask and rinse it once so it stays clear while you are in the water but if you don't have de-fog,saliva works too.For your snorkeling fins,loosen the straps then give them a dip so they slide in to the feet easily.Make sure the heel pad aligns with the centre of your heel and then slot the straps to they are secure and comfortable.Then put your mask on with straps over the crown of your head,tighten the straps so that its firmly in place.Finally,adjust the snorkel so it fits comfortably in your mouth.

Entering the water

Now lets get wet! If you have to walk through shallow waters with your fins on,like at the beach,shuffle your feets on the bottom backwards or sideways so you don't trip on the fins.If you are entering a deeper water from a low boat or dock,just ease yourself in.If the boat is too high to slide in,check that the water is deep enough and then just step in.While doing this,hold your mask so that it doesn't slide up and off when you splash into the water.Don't step in from anything higher than about your own height over the water.Mind the way to get closer to the water to get in.

Snorkel swimming:

Swimming with your snorkel here is easy,just breathe,swim and have fun.Lifting your head up to breathe wastes energy and wears you out,so use your snorkel to breathe,relax and watch the underwater world.The whole point of your snorkeling is that it takes way less effort to breathe with your face in the water,as you swim keep your arms at your side or out in front so you are streamlined.Shake from your hips without bending your knees too much,bending your knees when you kick wastes energy and doesn't move you as well.Slow,smooth and relaxed kicks work best.As you swim along you may decide to take a closer look at something,take a deep breath,hold it and then swim gently downwards.As you go deeper you will feel pressure around your ears,this is normal.To equalize the pressure,pinch your nose and blow gently against it,you will feel the pressure equalise in your ears.Do this every few feets before you feel discomfort.If you can't equalize your ears,do not descend further.It will hurt and can injure your ears.If you can't equalise,stop,then go back to the water surface and catch your breath and try again.With some practice you will find you can equalise your ears easily.You'll also feel your mask pressing against your face as you go down,blow some air through you nose into it to equalise it.When you feel the urge to breathe,swim up.Look up and extend your arms for safety as you come up,your snorkel is filled with water while you were down so you will need to clear it at the surface before taking a breath,just blow up the water by exhaling sharply.Sometimes you may not have enough air in your lungs to blow out the water,that's fine,just take out the snorkel, turn your head and get a breath then you can clear it.When you are done snorkeling,rinse your gear in fresh water,dry it in a cool location out of the sun before storing it and it will be ready for your next underwater adventure.