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Loading...Snorkelling is a popular activity that involves swimming face down in the water while breathing through a slender plastic tube called a snorkel. Snorkelers use a mask to appreciate the submerged objects and wear fins to propel themselves. Scuba divers are also using snorkels along side the dive mask.
Snorkelling is a great way to discover the underwater environment and interact quietly with the aquatic life, without specialized training or equipment.
Photo credit: http://www.originaldiving.com/
One can buy a snorkel from any sporting goods shop, but one should understand this piece of equipment to fully enjoy the activity. Like masks, silicone made snorkels is better because it is more resistant to the elements like ultraviolet rays and chlorine. But prolonged use will cause clear silicone to take on a yellow shade but it does not affect the performance.
Snorkel nowadays come in different colors and styles. So choose one that fits and is right for you!
Photo credit: http://lauderdalediver.com/
The snorkel has a mouth piece and a longer curved piece that sticks out of the water and lets you breathe. A snorkel is composed of a tube, also called a barrel and the mouthpiece.Basically, the diameter of the snorkel tube should be wide enough to allow free breathing, but narrow enough still so that you can easily expel any water that gets in the tube. The snorkel is intended and should be worn on the left hand side of the mask this is for the fact that SCUBA divers wear snorkels and the regulator is designed to be placed over their right shoulders. Wearing the snorkel on the left will definitely give you the best results and function of the snorkels feature, the splash guards as well any purge valve assembly’s at the bottom.
Play this video and learn how to use the snorkel.
There are assortments of features offered on snorkels on the market today – purge valves, wave chambers, and flexi-tubes, are some of them. Most of the snorkels nowadays have purge valves, which is a simple one way flap of silicone at the base of the snorkel that actually makes clearing a lot easier and effortless.
Better designs have a small chamber around the purge valve to collect water before it is expelled, stopping water from going into your mouth. Many modern snorkels incorporate a system that reduces the amount of water entering the open end, some can even be bent back round to the most comfortable position when required. Snorkels also come in an assortment of colours to match the mask and the rest of your diving gear.
Check out his video to know more about choosing your snorkel!
Please be always reminded that the most important element when choosing a snorkel is fit! With the correct fit comes comfort. One should try first-hand the various snorkels available to determine the right snorkel before buying. The aim is to be able to feel your gear as part of your body or to “forget what you are wearing” so that you can fully enjoy the incredible experience of the wonderful underwater life as to offer!
Thanks this article was really helpful. I am looking to get my first set of personal dive gear and am starting with a mask, snorkel and fins. I have only used basic ones from diveshops before and they work ok, but not its time to invest in my own stuff
cheers!
Thanks for giving us a great information by your article.
Thanks for sharing a great information.
Thanks for sharing this great article.