Aug 13, 2013

What To Know About The Best Snorkeling Gear

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By Andrea Davidson


Snorkeling is an activity that involves swimming through or on water. Unlike traditional swimming, the people who participate in this activity will wear both a snorkel and diving mask. They might also put on fins and a wetsuit to help with swimming. During the activity, they are given the chance to look at what is going on underwater for a prolonged amount of time without much effort. Those who do this activity may be searching for the best snorkeling gear.

This is a common activity and is especially popular in tropical regions or places where scuba diving is frequently done. It appeals to many people because it allows them to see underwater life. At the same time, it requires little training and equipment, which is the opposite of scuba diving. The activity can be done and enjoyed by people of almost any age.

Scuba divers might also participate in snorkeling when they need to be on the surface of the water. Search and rescue teams have been known to employ this method while doing water searches. This is also common among athletes who play underwater versions of hockey or rugby, or participate in spearfishing. Greek philosopher Aristotle mentioned a similar activity in a written work and so it is believed that this is not a new practice.

Not a lot of gear is needed to do this activity. However, one of the most important parts is a snorkel. These are tubes that are generally 30 centimeters long and feature an inner diameter that is less than 3 centimeters. Typically they have a shape like the letters L or J, and feature a mouthpiece at the bottom end that may be made from rubber or plastic material.

The snorkel is necessary to allow the swimmer to breathe even when his or her mouth and nose are under the water. Usually these feature a rubber attachment that allows for connection to the diving mask. The ideal length for the pieces is around 40 centimeters. Long tubes do not permit breathing in deeper water, as human lungs will still struggle to operate against the high pressure.

Dive masks are needed. These are the same as the ones used by scuba divers. They allow the wearer to see clearly while underwater. The pieces are mostly made from silicone or rubber, and may range in style, shape and size. Fins and wetsuits are option but preferred by many.

There are a lot of stores that sell products needed for this. These places usually have trained people on staff who can assist buyers in finding the best gear for them. Facilities that offer classes or sessions tend to have equipment that is available for renting purposes. Participants will always be briefed on safety and equipment details before snorkeling. In general, this is not an activity that is suggested for people who are not confident or comfortable in the water. With that said, in shallow waters or with supervision, this can be an activity anyone can enjoy.

The best snorkeling gear fits and is used properly. Not much equipment or training is needed to do this activity. A snorkel and diving mask are essential pieces of gear, and wetsuits and fins are considered optional.




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