Going on the vacation to the sea or the ocean, it is necessary to take care of entertainments. One of the most interesting occupations is the snorkeling which is compared to diving, but between these occupations there are a lot of differences. A huge number of people are already engaged in it and even made the rating of the best places for swimming.
What is snorkeling?
The name is connected with the German word "schnorchel", in translation it means – a respiratory tube. Scuba diving snorkeling means superficial immersion under water thanks to what it is possible to watch sea beauty. Important attributes are flippers and a mask. During swimming the human body is on a water surface, and the person – under water. The diving and snorkeling differs in the fact that swimming of a first type requires heavy equipment and deep immersion.
Equipment for snorkeling
If you want to be engaged in such type of swimming, then it is necessary to get two obligatory subjects: underwater mask and tube. Additional equipment for scuba diving: flippers, diving suit or life jacket. Skilled snorkler for swimming use only special goggles. There are certain requirements to the choice of each subject.
Mask for snorkeling
Basic element for swimming – a mask which needs to be chosen, being guided by the following recommendations:
- It is important to pick up the suitable size that when using it did not leak. To check apply a mask to the person, make a strong breath through a nose and stop to support it. If after that the mask fell, then the size does not approach and vice versa. It is better to choose a mask without valves that means that it will not proceed. Well the mask for EasyBreath Subea snorkeling proved.
- The mask can have one or two glasses, and still submask space with a quite good viewing angle.
- On glasses there is a special marking and if it T or S, so the mask is safe.
- On a mask silicone can be transparent, color and black. The first option provides the best review, but it glares more than others.
Tube for snorkeling
Without respiratory tube to last long under water it will not turn out. There is a number of the criteria concerning the choice.
- In most cases its length does not exceed 30-40 cm, that is deep immersion is impossible.
- Selecting set for scuba diving, buy a tube with the lower valve which provides easier cleaning.
- Surely consider diameter as, the it is more, the it will be easier to breathe, but at the same time there will be problems with cleaning of water. Experts do not advise to buy tubes with a diameter more than 2.5 cm.
- Consider also arrangement of the mouthpiece which has to move freely in a mouth that it was not necessary to have a snack it. There should not be he tough.
Suit for snorkeling
It is necessary to buy a diving suit only in case the person badly floats. It is produced from material which holds a body on a surface and will not be allowed to sink. The diving suit is necessary for snorkeling when bathing in cold water, and it has to be executed from a neoprene. Will protect model from lycra from a heat. The suit can replace a life jacket which is used in case bathing does not assume diving. Still it is possible to buy oversleeves and bracelets on legs.
Hours for snorkeling
Swimming accessories externally look, as well as the ordinary watch. In most cases they are used by athletes, but also are suitable for occupation of snorkeling. The watch for scuba diving is intended for assistance to the swimmer in the course of the occupation. They not only show time, but also calculate calories, measure pulse and distance which it was passed. Is the models showing and depth.
Flippers for snorkeling
Optional element of equipment are flippers, but they facilitate swimming process, allowing to maneuver. Scuba diving in flippers is not suitable for places where there are a lot of seaweed as they will prevent normal movement. When choosing flippers check, how conveniently they sit on a leg. Measure surely on a bare foot. Besides, flippers have to be not really long, easy, not rigid and not hard. It is good if they are made of plastic and rubber, but they are put on already in water.
Underwater earphones for swimming
Not to float in silence, it is possible to buy special earphones which are waterproof and wireless. For snorkeling the equipment can not turn on them, it at will. As earphones for scuba diving differ in nothing in respect of sounding from usual models, upon purchase it is necessary to be guided by habitual selection criteria. Besides, look at the admissible depth of immersion and times of work. On average earphones are calculated on immersion on 1.5-2 m and work 30-40 min.
Points for snorkeling
It was already mentioned that experienced swimmers can use instead of a mask points which differ in a form, a design, color of lenses and design. Points for scuba diving can be:
- Starting. Use these points for competitions. Possess hard landing and guarantee an opportunity to gather high speed.
- Training. Athletes use such points. The majority of models are made of silicone. Sometimes the product has the special covering interfering fogging. Lenses do of high-quality plastic thanks to what points do not press on eyes. One more option – points from a neoprene which differ in softness. They have important minus – they are short-lived. It is better to buy glasses with regulation.
There are several councils which concern the choice of suitable points:
- Lean lenses against eyes, take away hands, and suitable points should not fall. Thanks to it in the course of swimming of a product will not pass water.
- Points should not crash into the area of a nose bridge that will cause discomfort.
- Dark mirror lenses which will do patches of light dim are suitable for open reservoirs better. Lenses with smoky top provide image sharpness, and here brightness will not be ideal. It is important to choose points with special ultra-violet protection.
Training in snorkeling
Persons interested to seize technology of diving should not be experienced swimmers, so, there will be enough elementary skills of swimming. At the first stages the snorkeling instructor who will tell about features and nuances of scuba diving is useful. When training it is important to be guided by three main stages:
- Immersion on small depth. For training will be enough couple of days. Experts recommend to use such exercises: hold on within 15 min. on water, hold the breath under water on 30 sec., float small distance on a stomach, and then on a back.
- Swimming in a mask and flippers. It is important to learn to handle this equipment correctly. It is worth noticing that by means of flippers it is possible to save energy as during swimming of forces it is spent less.
- Full-fledged training. It is necessary to float on the water surface and it is better for beginners to do it with the instructor. You should not risk and to jump independently in the middle of the sea as the deep water can cause fear that is dangerous. In many exotic places the coastal fauna is also beautiful and interesting.
The snorkeling can be life-threatening therefore it is important to know rules of conduct under water:
- People who swim with a tube should not dive that water which will appear then in lungs did not get to it. If it occurred, then it is necessary to make the strongest and sharp exhalation that liquid was splashed out outside.
- If water got to a mask, then it can be put on highly and it should be lowered. To get rid of water, it is necessary to press on the top part of a mask and to make a sharp exhalation through a nose. Still it is possible it is a little delayed a mask, having allowed water to flow out.
- The snorkeling assumes observation of sea inhabitants, but at the same time it is not recommended to touch them as they can attack and be poisonous. Even sea hedgehogs are dangerous.
- It is not recommended to float under water for two hours after meal that will complicate movement and breath. It is impossible to immerse after alcohol intake and to people with overfatigue at all.
- If cramped a leg a spasm, it is important not to panic and be taken by the edge flippers, to extend a leg forward and to pull a sock on itself. It is necessary to keep a leg in such situation until the spasm passes.
- If accidentally got during, do not float against it. It is possible to get out of it, floating across a current or to diagonal.
Snorkeling – the best places
Fans of scuba diving have the rating of places for snorkeling. Use the following councils:
- If interests where the best snorkeling for small cost, then it is possible to recommend the resorts of Egypt on the Red Sea where flora and fauna are very beautiful.
- You want to take pleasure from sea depths and to see beautiful fishes and other sea inhabitants, then choose snorkeling in Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines and Dominican Republic. It is important to select places without strong undercurrents and waves.
- Many prefer the Mediterranean and the Maldives, but these places are suitable for skilled snorkler as in these waters unstable and strong sea currents.
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