Snorkelling
Shaylee Sydenham
WHAT IS SNORKELLING?
Snorkeling is an easy and fun swimming activity that can be done at just about any beach in the world. Snorkeling is a popular activity that allows a swimmer to observe sea life with not a lot of equipment and training.
equipment and care of equipment
The minimum basic equipment for snorkeling is a dive mask, swimming fins, and a snorkel (breathing tube). Some snorkelers also wear a flotation device, and in colder water, a wetsuit may be worn.
MASK
fresh water rinse after each use.Occasionally you may want to add a mild detergent to your fresh-water rinse
SNORKEL
rinse in fresh water after each use
FINS
rinse in fresh water after each use
underwater science
equalising: when you go snorkelling and dive down your ears will feel pressure. to get rid of this you hold your nose and blow gently. You should hear a crackling sound and feel the pressure subside.
buoyancy: using a wieght belt will help equalise your boyancy in the water making it easier to stay down and take photos.
the ear: snorkelling consists of swimmingon the surface using the mask to look down and see what is going on in the waters below while breathing through a snokel. if you go to far down it may put to much pressure on you ears causing an ear ache.
skills
getting in & out of water: when entering in to the water out of a boat you use the giant stride method there is also the backward roll entry and the controlled seated entry. when entering in to the water from the shore you can use the beach entry or the rocky surface entry. to exit the water simply climb the ladder to the boat or walk in to the beach choosing the safest entry point.
finning and planning: to plan your trip you have to tell other people were you are going and when you will be returning so if you get in trouble some one will come and help. When finning make shore that the fins are under the water for maximim propolsion. The idea is to keep your fin stroke movements smooth,slow and relaxed.
duck diving: to duck dive simply hold your breath and swim under the wave coming towards you when you reach the surface again clear the snorkel.
clearing your snorkel: to clear the snorkel tube simply put the snorkel above the water and blow all the water out.
clearing your mask:
Basic snorkelling first aid
in a First Aid kit you need utensils to treat minor first aid emergencies like cuts, scrapes, stings and nausea. a kit often Includes: large knuckle bandages, large elastic bandages, small round bandages, small butterfly closures, square gauze pad, ointment foil pack, antiseptic swabs, sting relief swab, antacid tablets, ibuprofen tablets, aspirin tablets, first aid booklet and poly zip bag. this is a very important pack to carry when going snorkelling and make shore to practice so you know what your doing.
dangers
there is a lot of dangers when snorkelling. make shore to read all sign on the beach and always enter the water in a safe spot. there is risks of drowning if you swallow water but there is also risk of big swell causing you to go to close to a reef which could end really bad. there is a lot of risks but it is well worth it when you are in the water