5 Easy Steps on how to snorkel underwater: Dive Confidently
Easy steps to learn Snorkeling underwater:
Snorkeling is an incredible adventure that allows you to explore the extraordinary Marvels of Underwater World. There is so much to explore on the surface of the water and in the Underwater World. Snorkeling underwater is the best way to explore the Views and underwater wonders. But the first thing you need to do is to learn how to snorkel underwater.
How to snorkel underwater?
Let’s start with the basic question, Is it possible to snorkel underwater? The answer is yes, of course, you can snorkel underwater by Holding your breath. When you snorkel underwater, it’s about managing your breath underwater. You must learn to manage and clear the underwater pressure from your ears by holding your nose. It also includes exhaling the breath While keeping your mouth close. And you can only practice this by using a proper snorkel gear set.
Well, that is good news. Here in this article, we have discussed five easy steps to snorkel underwater. By learning these easy steps, you will be capable of snorkeling underwater effectively, confidently, and safely.
1. Use the proper snorkeling gear set
We have multiple snorkeling gear sets for snorkelers, but it is different when we talk about Snorkeling or diving underwater. We have so many options for snorkeling masks and gear sets. Let’s figure out what would be e our best pickup for Snorkeling underwater.
Full-Face Snorkel Mask vs. Traditional Snorkel Mask
Before learning how to snorkel underwater, you have to make sure the best choice for your snorkel mask. You have to ensure the snorkel mask you use is best for your needs. There are two types of snorkel masks, one is a traditional snorkeling mask, and the other is Full-face Snorkel Mask. Traditional mask only covers your eyes and nose, but a full-face snorkel mask can cover your entire face from your chin to your forehead.
A full-face snorkel mask is a great invention for snorkeling underwater. It consists of a large dome That can cover your entire face and give you a fantastic field of vision. And it also consists of an integrated snorkel on top with one way valve that prevents water from coming inside the mask while you can breathe normally.
But even if it is possible to snorkel underwater with the full-face snorkel mask, it is a challenge. As it covers your full face due to its large dome structure, As you breathe with time, this will fill with Air as you breathe it in and out. This mask is perfect if you want to snorkel on the water’s surface. It is a fun time, but it would be difficult for you to dive underwater beneath the surface with the full-face snorkel mask.
But if you want to dive with a full-face snorkel mask, you must evacuate most of the Air out of your mask with a long breath. But this results in less Air left in your lungs, and you will only dive underwater for some seconds, and then you have to come to the surface to get fresh oxygen.
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My first choice of traditional snorkel mask for intermediate and beginners is the SCUBAPRO Solo snorkel mask(On Amazon).
Compared to the full-face mask, Traditional snorkel masks carry less Air by default. So it is very easy to snorkel deep in Underwater World with the traditional snorkel mask. This is why going to snorkel underwater; my first choice would be the traditional snorkel mask.
For recommendations and guides on snorkel masks for beginners, intermediate and expert levels, check out: the best snorkel mask for all levels.
Dry Snorkels vs. Wet Snorkels
There was only one snorkel type a long time ago. That consists of only one tube connected to your mouth, and the other is above the water’s surface so you can breathe normally. But there have been so many types of snorkel gear sets introduced.
This includes dry snorkels, wet snorkels, and semi-dry snorkels. My first choice for the snorkel would be the traditional wet snorkel.
Wet snorkel gear sets are commonly used among beginners and expert divers. But dry snorkels and semi-dry snorkels are much better for all people.
Dry snorkel gear sets Are manufactured in the same mouth-to-air tube format. But it also has a one-way valve at the top of the snorkel that allows you To to breathe in and out normally e while keeping the water out of the snorkel. Dry snorkels are an amazing invention in snorkel technology that makes snorkeling fun and easily accessible for beginners.
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We recommend The Oceanic Ultra dry 2 (On Amazon) for the best dry snorkel.
Another type of snorkel gear set is a semi-dry snorkel. This also works more like a traditional wet snorkel. With this type of snorkel gear set, you can also breathe freely, meaning there is nothing between your mouth and the Air you breathe in. A Splash guard around the top of the snorkel prevents water from coming inside your snorkeling tube. It is not as good as a dry snorkel, but it is way better than a wet snorkel.
The snorkeling gear set that we recommend between a dry snorkel and a semi-dry snorkel for Snorkeling underwater depends upon your skill level.
If you are a beginner, we will recommend a dry snorkel. That is best for its one-way valve, which helps to minimize the unwanted water from your snorkeling tube as much as possible. You can also dive underwater with the help of these snorkel gear sets.
Pro tip: You should do more shallow dives if you are a beginner.
If you are an expert diver or from the intermediate level of divers, a semi-dry snorkel might be the best to snorkel underwater. Using the semi-dry snorkel gear set, the Splash guard adds extra water protection on the snorkeling tube to prevent unwanted water from coming inside the mask.
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My top pick for a semi-dry snorkel would be Atomic’s SV2 snorkel(On Amazon).
For beginners, my recommendation is the dry snorkel. And for experts and intermediate-level divers, it would be the semi-dry snorkel.
Flippers and Fins
Although the fins and flippers are not required to snorkel underwater, they are really helpful. They help the snorkeler get to the Depth of the sea as soon as possible. So you can spend some time underwater and then return to the surface to breathe more quickly.
If you have a pair of fins and flippers, use them. If you don’t have it, then it’s also fine. All you have to do is just some more effort into propelling yourself down in the sea and com return to the surface to breathe ins and flippers help you to move faster than usual in the water.
Other gears to consider
Here are some other gears to keep in mind while going on Snorkeling. When you dive down into the sea, it depends on the Depth. For example, if you dive down 10 feet, the water temperature may vary according to the Depth. Suppose you are the kind of person who chills easily you are sensitive to the changing temperature. You should wear a rash guard for a full wetsuit for extra insulation before going to snorkel deep down underwater.
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I am not that sensitive to temperature changes, but when I spend some extra time in the water, I usually prefer Volcom Men’s Lido Solid Short Sleeve Rashguard(on Amazon).
Keeping my core warm without extra contact on the arms is very helpful. My wife, who is extra sensitive to the water temperature so that she chills easier, uses REKITA Women’s Long Sleeve Rashguard(on Amazon). Besides it looks beautiful, it also gives some extra protection on Arms and hands.
Diving into the Depth of the sea is no doubt a wonderful experience. So every time I plan to go Snorkeling, I always keep an Underwater action camera like a GoPro with me so that I can take some pictures and make videos of the incredible things I see in the Depth of the water. It is a kind of experience you may never have again in your life. To capture the memories and stuff you experience in the Depth of the water.
If you are a beginner levels snorkeler, you should do some research on what snorkel gear you should buy before going on Snorkeling. It will help you greatly as you get the full guide on what to buy before going Snorkeling.
2. Dive confidently, holding your breath
Holding your breath before going to snorkel is not rocket science, but managing your breathing while snorkeling underwater is an art in itself.
When you prepare to dive deep and snorkel in the sea, keep in mind to take a deep breath (pull more Air rather than your chest). This will help your body to stay calm and relaxed. It also prepares your lungs to hold more Air. Just make sure not to breathe quicker and heavier; this will stress out your body.
Before diving into the deep waters, allow your lungs to take a deep breath. You can fill your lungs up to 80-90%. The more you breathe in, the more you can resist inside the deep waters. But it adds more pressure on your chest that causes trouble, and you might feel uncomfortable.
So, when you are ready to dive into the deep waters, fill your lungs with more Air and arch your back forward, so your face heads down underwater. Just dive into the deep waters by propelling yourself forward by the legs. Use your legs to kick the waters and move fastly. This is what we call Snorkeling underwater!
3. Equalize The Pressure From Your Ears
Learning to manage the pressure from your ears is a key skill to learn when you are starting to snorkel underwater. Once you head a few feet down underwater, you will start to feel the pressure of the water on your body, especially around the sides of your head. Although it is uncomfortable, we can say it is completely normal.
To manage the pressure of the water around you, pinch your nose shut, Exhale a bit toward your nose while keeping your mouth closed.
This technique is called Valsalva Maneuver. All you have to do is to train yourself to manage the force you need to put into the exhalation. Always a good idea to take a gentle start. You can practice this technique in some Shallow dives on land before you go snorkeling into deep waters.
4. Return Back To The Surface When you need Air
When you go snorkeling underwater, you might be amazed by the amazing scenes and views of the undersea world around you. But it is very important to keep in mind how your need for Air feels; you have to return back to the surface to breathe normally before you actually need Air underwater.
This is very important because you have to equalize your breathing system while staying underwater. And if you always push yourself to hold your breath until the last minute, your body will become stressed, and it will be difficult for you to hold your breath for a long time while staying underwater. That might be dangerous and life-threatening.
5. Clean Your Snorkel Tube
When you return back to the surface, you might have some water in your snorkel tube that must be cleaned. It can happen even if you are using a dry snorkel. Once you return back to the surface to breathe, tilt your head back a bit. That would be helpful to clear your snorkel tube. The Residual water Must be expelled from the snorkel tube so that you can breathe normally.
Check: Quick steps to know how to clean a snorkel tube
You can also take the snorkel out of your mouth and give yourself a few moments to breathe normally while blowing the water out of your snorkel tube.
Just make sure not to touch anything to keep yourself and the reef safe and healthy.
Things to do when snorkeling underwater
Snorkeling underwater is definitely an incredible experience. My first rule of Snorkeling is to enjoy the moment and the Mariane life. You will be amazed by gliding through Coral forests or gigantic whale sharks, or feeding sea turtles.
The Marian life has its own ecosystem. These include whale sharks, dolphins, sea Turtles, fishes, colonies of coral reefs, and much more. You can only keep them safe and healthy by not disturbing them at all. Just don’t touch anything underwater. When you go to slow local undersea, you must behave like a good temporary citizen because we are the guest in that ecosystem.
The coral reef is increasingly fragile, can easily breakable, and will take a long time to grow back. It is not only better for the coral not to touch it, but it is also better for you too. You might get a nasty infection by touching the coral reef or some other marine life. If you accidentally touch the coral and get infected, it is suggested to exit the water as soon as possible and disinfect the cut with the disinfectant.
No doubt marine life is always an incredible thing to explore. But you have to make sure you will treat it well. Just be respect full and calm to The Marine creatures.
It is good to interact with Marine creatures but keep your hands to yourself. It keeps the animals healthy and safe.
Conclusion
Snorkeling is an incredible experience from the surface, but when you are able to snorkel underwater, it adds something extra to its incredibility. Are you curious about how to snorkel underwater? Just follow these steps above in the article and use the right gear set, like a traditional snorkel mask with a dry snorkel for beginners and a semi-dry snorkel for advanced levels snorkelers.
As we all know, practice makes a man perfect. So all you have to do is just practice in some Shallow waters and build your skills. When you are done practicing, you can try it in the deep waters. Soon you will become an expert-level deep diver.
