Monday, August 19, 2013

Facts Concerning The Best Snorkeling Gear

By Andrea Davidson


Snorkeling is a recreational activity in which participants swim on or through water. The people who do this use a diving mask, snorkel, and sometimes fins or a wetsuit. The purpose in doing this is to get a fist-hand look at the underwater world for an extended time and with putting forth little effort. People who go snorkeling, or plan to, may be in search of 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 sometimes do this when they are in shallow water or at the surface of the water. Search and rescue teams employ this when doing some water searches. It is also typical of athletes who participate in underwater rugby or hockey, or enjoy spearfishing. Aristotle was a Greek philosopher from the past who wrote about as similar activity in one of his publications, which leads many to believe that this has been around for hundreds of years.

Not much equipment is needed in order to snorkel. Still, a key piece of gear that is required is the snorkel. These tubes are approximately 30 centimeters or 11 inches long, but may vary in length. The usually have an inside diameter that is around 1 inch or 3 centimeters in size. Most are shaped like a J or L, and include a mouthpiece that sits at the bottom and is made from plastic or rubber.

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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