Snorkeling Tips - Why It's Important to Check Your Snorkeling Equipment First

Whether you want to rent fins or buy your own, there are some things that you need to keep in mind. For example, no flags don't always mean calm water. Also, try to get information from locals about the place you plan to snorkel. Make sure you're not touching any plants or animals before you go snorkeling. Finally, be sure that you use the correct breathing techniques while snorkeling.

Renting Fins Before Buying

When traveling, renting your fins and mask will help you save space in your suitcase. Fins are big and bulky, but they are the easiest to fit correctly, so consider renting a pair before buying a pair. The same applies to masks. Masks are light and do not take up much space. However, fins may be bulkier than masks. For this reason, renting your snorkeling equipment may be the better option.

A major advantage of buying your own snorkeling equipment is control. You can test the mask and fins on a friend or family member before you spend your money. If the mask or fins don't fit properly, you could end up with a soiled snorkel. Similarly, your mask might not fit properly if you have wide feet. Therefore, it is best to buy your own snorkeling equipment. However, if you are not sure about the fit, you can buy the equipment from a shop.

Testing Equipment Before Snorkeling

Before you dive into the water, it's important to test your snorkeling equipment to avoid risks of snorkeling. Snorkeling equipment is simpler than scuba diving equipment, so you should familiarize yourself with it. The bite tabs on your mask and fin straps should fit snugly and securely. If they don't, you may need to adjust them. If they do fit tightly, you're ready for the water! Don't worry - there are a few easy steps you can follow to check your equipment.

Test your snorkel equipment in a pool. If you're a beginner, it's best to start out in the shallow end of the pool, so that you can practice breathing evenly and moving around in the water. If the snorkel does leak, you can fix the problem by standing up in the water and fixing it. You can also wear a wetsuit while testing your equipment. This will help you stay in the water for a longer period of time.
Avoid touching animals, coral, and plant life before snorkeling

Observe snorkeling etiquette before going underwater. Remember that coral is a living organism. Do not touch or brush coral. Never pick up seashells or brush the coral with your hands. Do not grab the sealife, such as a starfish. Also, never feed sea life, including coral. They are a living part of the ecosystem and are sensitive to touch.

If you have ever gone diving or snorkeling, you've probably touched the sea animals. The problem is that these creatures have layers of protective mucous that can be damaged by touching them. This can result in infection. Even coral can become injured if you touch it. Touching corals will damage their hard outer surface and cause them to die. Touching them will also cause them to have a higher chance of attracting predators.

Don't touch corals or other marine creatures while snorkeling. Not only is this destructive to their ecosystem, it can lead to aggressive behavior. Also, do not feed the fish because it may disturb their feeding and spawn aggressive behavior. Instead, try to blend in with the environment. And if you do have to, do not touch the reef animals. You can visit an environmental education center in Kona, Big Island, Hawaii to learn more about marine life. The Kohala Center has a handy fish guide that you can take with you.

Proper Breathing Techniques While Snorkeling

Proper breathing techniques while snorkeling are important to prevent blackouts and to allow you to explore the deeper areas of the ocean. It may take some practice, so ask for tips from other snorkelers and take it slow. Learning proper breathing techniques takes some time, but they're definitely worth the effort. Keep reading to discover more about these tips. Also, remember to practice your techniques in shallow water first. Once you get the hang of it, snorkeling will be more enjoyable!

While snorkeling, you can practice deep breathing techniques to ensure that the air in the snorkel tube is exchanged. Snorkelers who don't breathe deeply may feel fatigued, dizzy and even suffer from headaches. Shallow breathing creates a "stale air" situation where the carbon dioxide content in the water is too high. Practice these breathing techniques in a quiet room before diving, and you'll be snorkeling in no time!