Snorkelling
by annalise hicks
What is snorkelling?
Snorkeling is an easy and fun swimming activity that can be done at just about any beach or coastal area in the world. The equipment is inexpensive and portable, the skills required minimal, and the activity very safe. Snorkelling enables you to explore fishes in the sea. It makes you think to yourself theres another world than the one you live in. It is also a popular recreational activity that allows a swimmer to observe sea life with a minimum of equipment and training, and the same degree of safety as regular open sea swimming.
Equipment & care of it
Taking care of your equipment takes up a massive past of the term "snorkelling". After every snorkel, make sure you wash your snorkel and breathing tube throughoutly so for next time it is clean and disinfected. The equipment that is needed are dive masks, swimming fins, and a snorkel. Some snorkelers also wear a flotation device, and in colder water, a wetsuit may be worn.
Under water science
The ear-
When you are snorkeling your ears can get very sore and bubbly when you are snorkelling.
Equalising-
Water pressure increases the deeper a diver goes. Since the outer ear is is effected by the pressure of the surrounding environment, the pressure in the outer ear increases as a diver descends. However, the middle ear is sealed so the pressure in the middle ear does not change.
Buoyancy-
It is very hard to get used to your bouyancy when snorklling. Try spending some time in the pool to get your weighting better. If you are over-weighted, you will have more air in your BC, and that will amplify buoyancy shifts with changes in depth.
Skills for Snorkelling
Getting in & out of the water-
A shore dive entry can range from a simple walk down a sand beach to a clamber over rocks, or a short trip down a boat ramp which could turn out slippery as an eel. Waves and rough waters at the point of entry can be hazards towards snorkelling. its important to know the right techniques of entry and exit as well.
Planning-
Before you go snorkelling for the first time you should go ask the locals where the best spots are. You shoulc also check out the weather and the tide for that particular day.
Danger-
When you are snorkelling you should be very aware of dangerous hazards in the water. Becareful and try to avoid rocks and any other sharps objects that are located in the water you are snorklling in.
Finning-
When you are out in the sea snorkelling you should always wear flippers. Flippers or another name "fins" help you stay a float and help you when your need need to swim faster than you usually do. They can keep you safe very well, for example if you lose your buoyancy when swimming in the deep ocean they will take control and help you balance and stay afloat.
Duckdiving-
When you duckdive in snorkelling you need to be aware of any other objects that are surrounding you and also in the water. Before you duckdive in deep water you should do a jump in stand so you know where to duckdive in the water. After that you can do a duckdive as you know the water is clear and not surrounding any sharp rocks etc.
Snorkelling First Aid-
The snorkelling instructors will teach you effective techniques in finning, clearing and breathing from a snorkel, equalisation and basic breath hold duck diving. Its cost to do the course is $239.