Snorkeling is a wonderful activity that can be enjoyed by almost anyone who has access to the ocean, a lake or a river... Snorkeling as an activity frequently lives in the shadows of scuba diving - another excellent pastime but one that requires significantly more instruction, time and money. Most people who have snorkeled have done so only on group charters or on sailing holidays on a crewed sailing yacht but snorkeling is an activity that can be done almost any time, anywhere. If you haven't already, give snorkeling a try - you'll love the new world beneath the water.

The snorkel is going to allow you to lie face down, completely motionless, and breathe. The basic resting position when snorkeling is very stable and comfortable, and is much easier than treading water. You want to develop the habit of assuming the resting position at the surface when snorkeling as it conserves energy.

If you must come upright in the water to talk or look around, inflate your BCD (Buoyancy Control Device) to provide support and conserve energy. Remember when snorkeling to breathe slowly, deeply, and cautiously through the snorkel. Bite gently on the mouthpiece grippers, letting the lips seal the mouthpiece and hold it in place. Whenever you put a mouthpiece into your mouth, be sure to exhale before trying to inhale, in case some water might be present.

When you go beneath the surface water will enter the snorkel. To clear this water upon surfacing, simply exhale forcefully and sharply into the snorkel. This will 'blast' the water up and out of the tube, clearing it of water. This blast method of clearing will remove nearly all the water from the snorkel. The small amount remaining will be of little concern if you will inhale slowly and cautiously. When `blast' clearing a snorkel, the exhalation must be quick and forceful, much like shooting a pea shooter. This method will also work if any water sloshes into the snorkel while snorkeling and when swimming at the surface. Snorkel clearing will become automatic with experience.

If you are unable to clear the snorkel sufficiently with the first exhalation, it is possible, and really quite simple, to take another breath and clear the snorkel, in spite of the fact that water is in the tube when you are trying to inhale. Simply inhale very slowly, essentially `bubbling' the air through the water until you have enough air in your lungs to blow the water out of the snorkel. The ability to do this demonstrates airway control and proper snorkel clearing techniques.

"Blast" clearing the snorkel

There is another method of snorkel clearing, called the displacement method, which is more effective once developed. This involves inverting the snorkel underwater by looking up and exhaling a small amount of air into it, which displaces the water inside. By keeping your head tilted back and the snorkel inverted as you ascend, the snorkel will remain clear of water due to the air inside. At the surface,the head is rolled forward while exhaling to keep water out of the snorkel. When done properly, no water will remain inside the snorkel, and less effort is required than when using the blast clearing method.

Displacement clearing of a snorkel while snorkeling, which is easier and more effective than "Blast" clearing.

The standard kick for diving is the flutter kick, but it is different than the short, quick flutter kick used when swimming. When using fins, slow the kick and lengthen the stroke. The idea is to have the fins pointed behind you and to move them slowly and powerfully up and down from the hip.

The legs are extended and the knees bend only slightly. The power stroke is downward, and if kicking properly,you will feel the pull of the tendons on she top of your foot where it is joined to the ankle. The fins only provide propulsion when pushing against the water, so keep them below water when swimming at the surface. Kick down further and up less, and arch the back upward slightly to force the legs downward. It is also possible and practical to swim on your back or your side at the surface while using the flutter kick. Both of these methods allow a wider kick stroke while the fins remain underwater.

Speed is not the objective in swimming with fins, so don't swim rapidly. Also, arm movements actually reduce momentum underwater when fins are used, so keep your arms still, either extended in front or trailing at your sides.

The get below the surface as a skin diver, have the BCD deflated, hyperventilate not more than 3 or 4 times, take a large breath and hold it, bend forward at the waist to extend the head and arms downward, and quickly lift the legs out of the water. The weight of the legs above water will push you underwater and when the fins submerge you can kick your way downward. A surface dive can be done from a swimming position or a stationary position. A swimming surface dive is easier, but a stationary dive is useful, and should also be developed.

Equalisation during descent

As you descend, you will feel the effects of pressure on your mask and in your ears even in shallow water. Equalise these pressures by exhaling slightly into your mask and then blocking the nostrils while attempting to exhale through the nose to add air to the air spaces inside the ears.

Equalisation, especially of ears, should be done every 2 or 3 feet and should not be delayed until discomfort is felt. In fact, if you wait until pain is felt before attempting to equalize, you will probably not be able to do so. It is necessary to stay ahead of pressure increases, so equalize early and often during descent. Practice and experience will make equalising become an automatic reaction.

Several rules for ascending increase safety and develop good habits for later scuba skills. Whenever ascending, look up and around, and extend one hand overhead for protection from overhead objects. It is also advisable to make at least one rotation during the ascent to see what is around and behind you. When ascending, remember to look up, reach up, and then come up. Clear your snorkel by the desired displacement method when ascending. After surfacing, make another rotation to check position and surroundings.

When ascending, look up, reach up, then come up

When snorkeling or diving, some water may leak into the mask for various reasons, such as laughing. While at the surface, simply pull the bottom skirt of the mask away from your face and allow the water to run out. You can also tilt the mask to achieve the same result. Do not remove the mask; this is unnecessary and wastes time and energy. Later you will learn to clear the water from the mask underwater by displacing the water with air, but for skin diving, the draining method at the surface is sufficient.

A diver simply drains any water which may leak into the mask.

There are some exit procedures for diving that you should begin to develop early. Generally, divers exit from deep water one at a time and keep all gear in place until ready to exit. If climbing up a ladder, remove fins and hand them up, or carry them with you. Keep clear of the exit until the person getting out before you has cleared the exit area. Clear all personal gear from the exit area immediately upon emerging from the water.

The ladder is frequently used for exits by divers.

Rinse equipment with fresh water as soon as possible after Use in salt water. The ideal method is to soak the equipment In fresh water to dissolve salt and dirt. After soaking, the Gear should be rinsed well. Avoid exposing equipment to sunlight for prolonged periods. Store equipment in a cool area away from gas, or oil fumes.

Rinse equipment with fresh water after use.