Photo: Me! By Lan
Mastering snorkeling skills will open up a new breathtaking world for you. You will find that a snorkeling adventure is unlike anything you have ever experienced on land. Everything in this underwater wonderworld is exciting and exhilarating.
It is recommended that you get some basic training for your safety and also safety of other marine life. Also take note of reef etiquette.
The first thing to do is getting the right equipments. Comfort is of utmost importance when choosing what is right for you.
1. Mask & Snorkel
Masks are used to enable you to see underwater clearly. There are many masks out there. So choose one that you are comfortable with. How to buy a mask.
A snorkel is just a short tube attached to your mask to enable you to breathe while you're floating. Here are some guides to help you choose a snorkel: How to buy a snorkel.
Sal's tip: Brightly colored snorkel will make it easier for your friends on the surface and underwater to spot you =)
2. Fins
Choose fin style and size according to your body. If you have small body and large fins, you will tire easily as your fins will overexert you or worse cause leg cramps. How to buy fins.
3. Snorkel Vest
You can use a snorkel vest or a life jacket to keep you afloat. Another equipment you can use to stay floating is a bodyboard :)
4. Rash guards & wetsuits
Rash guards protect you from the sun and abrasions. If you plan to be in the water for more than 1 hour, it might be a good idea to wear a wetsuit. Wetsuit will protect your body from abrasions and keep you warm. How to buy a wetsuit.
Sal’s tip: Wetsuits are easier to put on when wet!
So once you have your basic snorkeling equipments, lets head on to the islands!
i. Prepare your mask. Make sure you rub some anti-fog liquid on the inside glass of your mask. You won’t be able to see anything if your mask fogs up. Attach your snorkel to your mask.
Sal’s tip: You can use liquid soap as anti-fog too. Rub some onto the glass of your mask and rinse them off before putting it on. Another option is toothpaste. Just make sure you rinse all the toothpaste off cause they can sting your eyes.
ii. Put on your equipments and enter the water. Your body is naturally buoyant. Be calm and keep your body afloat.
iii. While floating, breathe slowly through your snorkel. Do not move your head too much as this will get water into the tube.
iv. If water enters your snorkel, blow hard to expel the water. Then take a cautious breath slowly to avoid inhaling water, just in case you didn’t push out all the water.
v. When you’re using fins just kick your legs slowly. Maintain your ankles and knees relaxed to prevent leg muscles from cramping and practice keeping your fins just below the water level. You should avoid using a bicycle type of kick. As you become adept in this skill, you will no longer need to use your arms to propel yourself underwater ;)
Sal’s advice: Always snorkel with a buddy.
The best way to improve your ability to snorkel is by practicing. So get your gears and jump in. Enjoy!
It is recommended that you get some basic training for your safety and also safety of other marine life. Also take note of reef etiquette.
The first thing to do is getting the right equipments. Comfort is of utmost importance when choosing what is right for you.
1. Mask & Snorkel
Masks are used to enable you to see underwater clearly. There are many masks out there. So choose one that you are comfortable with. How to buy a mask.
A snorkel is just a short tube attached to your mask to enable you to breathe while you're floating. Here are some guides to help you choose a snorkel: How to buy a snorkel.
Sal's tip: Brightly colored snorkel will make it easier for your friends on the surface and underwater to spot you =)
2. Fins
Choose fin style and size according to your body. If you have small body and large fins, you will tire easily as your fins will overexert you or worse cause leg cramps. How to buy fins.
3. Snorkel Vest
You can use a snorkel vest or a life jacket to keep you afloat. Another equipment you can use to stay floating is a bodyboard :)
4. Rash guards & wetsuits
Rash guards protect you from the sun and abrasions. If you plan to be in the water for more than 1 hour, it might be a good idea to wear a wetsuit. Wetsuit will protect your body from abrasions and keep you warm. How to buy a wetsuit.
Sal’s tip: Wetsuits are easier to put on when wet!
So once you have your basic snorkeling equipments, lets head on to the islands!
i. Prepare your mask. Make sure you rub some anti-fog liquid on the inside glass of your mask. You won’t be able to see anything if your mask fogs up. Attach your snorkel to your mask.
Sal’s tip: You can use liquid soap as anti-fog too. Rub some onto the glass of your mask and rinse them off before putting it on. Another option is toothpaste. Just make sure you rinse all the toothpaste off cause they can sting your eyes.
ii. Put on your equipments and enter the water. Your body is naturally buoyant. Be calm and keep your body afloat.
iii. While floating, breathe slowly through your snorkel. Do not move your head too much as this will get water into the tube.
iv. If water enters your snorkel, blow hard to expel the water. Then take a cautious breath slowly to avoid inhaling water, just in case you didn’t push out all the water.
v. When you’re using fins just kick your legs slowly. Maintain your ankles and knees relaxed to prevent leg muscles from cramping and practice keeping your fins just below the water level. You should avoid using a bicycle type of kick. As you become adept in this skill, you will no longer need to use your arms to propel yourself underwater ;)
Sal’s advice: Always snorkel with a buddy.
The best way to improve your ability to snorkel is by practicing. So get your gears and jump in. Enjoy!
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hi
ReplyDeletethis is good informations for all....
Hey Sal, great page u have here...
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