Can you snorkel without knowing how to swim?
Snorkeling opens up a new dimension to those who enjoy the beauty of the underwater world. But snorkeling seems to be impossible for those who cannot swim. Following some safety tips can be helpful to go a long way toward the underwater world.
Can you snorkel if you can’t swim? It might sound like a weird question. Because swimming matters a lot when you talk about diving inside water. and if you are a non-swimmer interested in snorkeling you must prepare yourself before deep water snorkeling.
Snorkeling is something I believe everyone should enjoy at least once in their life. A deep water snorkel is one of my favorite things on this entire planet. Underwater beauty shows you a world beneath the waves and is a beauty worth saving. Deep water snorkeling truly gave me life-changing experiences like watching sea jellies pulse, eels ribbon, swimming alongside massive whale sharks, and watching rainbows come alive with reef fishes.
Can you snorkel without knowing how to swim? Absolutely yes, If some of these experiences mentioned above seem out of reach for a non-swimmer like you, you don’t have to worry about it. If you follow proper guidelines and specific safety like snorkeling in water shallow enough to stand in you can begin building your swimming and snorkeling skills. It would be a good start toward the more advanced snorkeling excursions that I mentioned above. You can use snorkel equipment suitable for beginner snorkelers.
Of course, if you are not a strong swimmer or non-swimmer you must be extra cautious if you are starting snorkeling. You may have a question in your mind, “can I snorkel if I can’t swim?” There are some specific things you must keep in mind. So let’s talk about snorkeling safety tips that can help you snorkel if you can’t swim.
Beat the fear of the water
It’s all about trust and confidence in yourself. There is always a starting point for everyone to learn something new. Everyone starts from somewhere like me too. In the end, it’s all about gaining more knowledge about a new skill and improving.
Basically, snorkeling is considered the safest sport in the world. Being a non-swimmer you may be wondering if it’s even possible to get in the water and enjoy what the ocean has to offer you.
So the first step to snorkeling is to beat the fear of water and be confident about what you are going to start.
Test Your Equipment
The first thing you would need to start your snorkeling journey is the selection of equipment. Get a snorkel and a mask of a good brand. Make sure to try the gear set before going offshore. Put them on and go into the shallow water and see how they feel when you stick your head in the water.
Check out if there is any leakage in your mask. Look how it feels when the dry-top snorkel valve activates against the water.
Check out each aspect of using a snorkeling mask. If you have any problem with the equipment test then fix it first before going on your snorkeling underwater adventure.
Briefing and useful lesson
When you finish testing all your equipment the next thing is to seek snorkeling lessons. You can hire a professional who can show you the ropes while keeping you safe and quickly building skills that help you more advanced snorkeling.
And if you hire a local guide it would be best because local guides always know the best snorkeling spots. Especially shallow water areas are best for non-swimmers.
Your snorkeling guide will brief you on all the strategies and techniques. He will help you to practice your snorkeling skills in the shallow water area.
Snorkeling mask
It is the basic tool or equipment that you must have to start snorkeling lessons. Choosing the right snorkeling mask for you is always challenging. Snorkeling masks have so many varieties, sizes, and shapes but it depends on you which mask is the best snorkeling mask for you.
As a non-swimmer, when I started snorkeling I did some research about the varieties of best snorkel masks.
Then I decided what is best and comfortable for me for a good start. Learning about the components of snorkeling masks and how you can use them to your advantage is always a great benefit.
It consists of two components: a face palate and a snorkel. A snorkel consists of an open tube that is connected to your mouth to the air above the water so that you can breathe freely. It has also a disadvantage that the water gets sloshed up into the snorkel tube and down to your mouth as you swim.
For that, I suggest you adopt a dry-top snorkel with a purge valve that makes water sloshes and splashes a lot easier for snorkeling for non-swimmers.
Snorkel Vest or Life Jacket included
Using a snorkel vest or life jacket is another effective way to boost your snorkeling techniques. Using a flotation device like a snorkel life jacket is the best option if you are looking to snorkel if you can’t swim. Non-swimmers can have a good time in the water if they use these snorkel flotation devices.
Do life jackets work if you can’t swim? Snorkel vests for non-swimmers and life jackets are almost the same as snorkel flotation devices. These two have only one difference, snorkel vests are lighter than life jackets.
Life jackets probably provide you with more security but if you want to boost your floating ability, you must use a snorkel vest. It will give you a little more freedom to move in the water.
Just make sure that you buy the right size of flotation device for you considering your body size and body weight as well.
The group should be small
Whether you are looking to snorkel if you can’t swim or you are an expert swimmer with excellent snorkeling skills, I always recommend you to snorkel with a friend or a group of buddies. Your group must be small such that fewer people can give you more attention and better company.
The reason for this recommendation is that you want to snorkel if you can’t swim in case your friends are expert swimmers and they can accompany you throughout your snorkeling journey. If you stick to your group it would be helpful for you and you get a chance to improve your snorkeling skills.
As simple as that your friends can help you if you had any problem during snorkeling or they can go find you help if needed.
Wisely choose the area
The type of area where you want to snorkel matters a lot if you can’t swim. For example, I would select a more calm place with minimum depth than select rougher water or water with underlying currents if I want to snorkel if I can’t swim.
This is typically a very important aspect of snorkeling for non-swimmers. Some serious currents that can pull swimmers underwater can be dangerous for new swimmers or non-swimmers.
It will create a disturbing mental state which is not appropriate for the snorkel if you can’t swim.
It is suggested that you take a visual inspection of the water to make sure there are not any disturbing and huge waves coming and is easy enough to start your snorkeling journey.
Keep calm
Exploring the underwater world is always so exciting and full of surprises. When I started snorkeling I always panicked before snorkeling because I was a non-swimmer. The best way is to keep calm and stay confident. Don’t panic if you want to snorkel.
Just set free your body inside the water and breathe through a snorkel mask. Avoid deep water snorkels. Stick to your buddies and keep calm. If there is any problem they will help you out.
Wear a wheel
Is swimming required for snorkeling? Absolutely not. Adopt some precautions as we have discussed above in this article.
If you follow all the safety tips and guidelines, snorkeling would be much easier for you even if you can’t swim.
Wearing a wheel works as a preserver for the non-swimmers. And it would be much helpful for you if you have something trusted to support you.
Avoid the deep dive
Being a non-swimmer going into deep water snorkeling might be risky for you. No doubt the ocean is a magical place itself but it has some risks too.
Always snorkel in an area where you can stand too. Look around the place where your feet can be adjusted at the bottom. You should start from the area with minimum depth. Avoid snorkeling at a place where there is coral near you. You might get a serious infection if you touch it in any way.
First, choose an area with shallow water for snorkeling, and then you can go on a deep dive when you become an expert. You can explore the hidden treasures of the bottom of the ocean as an expert snorkeling master.
