HEALTH OPTIMIZING PHYSICAL
EDUCATION 4
Name: _____________________________________________
Grade: _____________________________________________
AQUATIC ACTIVITIES - SNORKELING
Water or aqua has a certain unique attraction to people of all
ages. Children love to engage in water to play, while adults alike
would get lured to take a dip at the sight of a pool or the beach.
Water in its most natural form, can be a great venue to relax, to
work out to have fun, to pump up the adrenaline and to challenge
one’s limits.
Water has special characteristics that provide a unique
environment for activities and good workout. These
characteristics include buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure, and
enhanced cooling. Buoyancy is the upward force of the water on
an object. This is the reason why boats and people float on
water. It also gives a weightlessness feeling, which makes it
easier to move, lift knees or even jog in water (for some water
activities). Hydrostatic pressure, on one hand, is the pressure
exerted by the water at equilibrium due to the force of gravity. In
other words, it is the weight of the water pressed down on the
object. Hydrostatic pressure is exerted on the body from all sides
and this pressure, combined with buoyancy, helps keeps
standing balance in water. Water, therefore, helps people who
have problems with balance and coordination. Lastly, water has
enhanced cooling characteristic that transfers heat away from
the body much quickly than air given in the same temperature.
This is the reason we can stay longer in water and can tolerate
longer workouts without feeling being overheated.
What is Snorkeling?
Snorkeling is peeking through life underneath water by
swimming with the aid of a snorkel and mask. Through
snorkeling, one can observe the underwater attraction for a
longer period of time, without the need to constantly resurface
to gasp for air, and with relatively lesser effort.
Snorkeling is not only used for recreational purposes. It has also
been used in water based search by rescue teams and in water
sports such as underwater hockey, underwater rugby, and spear
fishing.
Basic equipment of snorkeling
The basic gears needed in snorkeling are the snorkel, goggles,
and fins. Other essential equipment, although optional for some,
are the floating vest and rash guard.
B. Snorkel
The snorkel is a piece of equipment that makes it possible to
breathe at the surface while the face is submerged in water. The
snorkel is basically composed of tube, also called the barrel, and
a mouthpiece. The tube-end sticks out of the water while the
mouthpiece goes in the month. The snorkel also has a clip so it
can be attached to the mask.
C. Snorkeling Fins
Water resists or “pushes back” anything moving through it. This
is the principles behind what the fins do. It is the resistance that
provides much of the propulsion created by a moving pin.
Speed and efficiency in swimming are what one gains in wearing
fins. They provide the necessary locomotion to propel
effortlessly in the water. Fins conserve more energy and.
Therefore, allow the snorkeler to reach further distances.
Date: _____________________
Score: ____________________
D. Snorkel Vests
Snorkel vests are small and inflatable, which provide more
buoyancy while floating on water. This will help in consuming
less energy in moving around. However, one must take note that
snorkel vest is not equivalent and should never be used as a
substitute to life vest.
E. Skin Protection
Snorkeling may require one to be under the sun for some time,.
In order to protect the skin from the hit of the sun, one may use
a good biodegradable sunscreen or a better choice will be
wearing a long sleeve rash guard. The shirt may also provide
jellyfish sting protection. However, if insulation is needed from
the cold waters, then a west suit will be a better option.
F. Swimming Cap
The swimming cap is a big help in keeping hair out of the snorkel
and the face as well. It will also help in preventing the scalp from
burning on a sunny day.
G. Mask Defogger
Mask Defogger helps prevent the mask from fogging up. Be sure
to choose one that is non-toxic, biodegradable, and alcohol free
for one’s protection and for the protection of marine life.
How is snorkeling done?
Test and Practice
It is best for beginners to try the gears on shallow water. This
way, one can get used to wearing the mask and breathing
through the tube. While on shallow water, bend slightly at the
waist and squat until the face is submerged in the water. Relax
and breathe through the snorkel while enjoying the aquatic life.
Adjust the strap when the mask is leaking water. It may be loose
or too tight. Sometimes, a mask that is too tight can cause leak
as well.
Floating position
When one feels quite comfortable using the mask and breathing
through a snorkel, it is time to start floating. Extend legs and get
into the floating position with the face down. Relax and practice
breathing evenly through the snorkel. When one inhales, the
body goes slightly higher in the water and goes a little lower
when exhaling. This happens because the body becomes
buoyant when air enters the lungs.
Kicking to move
The next step is learning to be comfortable with the snorkeling
fins. Practice in the deeper part of the water. Float then do the
basic flutter stroke, the most common under water kick.
Diving deeper
If one wants to go a little deeper to have a better view of the
marine life, one can either use the “feet-first” dive or the “head-
first” dive.
What should be done when the following problems arise?
Water is Filling the Mask
If the mask comes with a purge valve, simply blow air out
through the nose while the mask is on. The water will be pushed
out of the valve, clearing the mask. If the mask does not have
the purge valve, then simply lift head out of the water and pull
the front of the mask forward. This will open a gap at the bottom
of the mask and drain the water out. While underwater, one can
also clear the water. Simply press the top of the mask to the
forehead and blow out through the nose. Air will bubble into the
mask pushing the water out of the bottom.
Water Entered the Snorkel
Clearing a snorkel is an important skill because it will be
inevitable that water may enter the snorkel. Waves or splashes
can send water into the open end of a snorkel or when diving
below the surface.
Clear the snorkel by blowing out through the snorkel to force the
water out through the top. But if a snorkel has a purge valve,
then water will exit through the valve below the mouthpiece.
Another method is the displacement clear. This is used with
snorkels that have a purge valve. Begin by looking straight up LEARNING TASK 3. ACROSTIC EXPRESSION
while surfacing then exhale a small amount of air into the
snorkel. While ascending, the air will expand and displace the Directions: Make an acrostic poem about the importance of
water so that by the time one reaches the surface, almost all Aquatic activities like snorkeling in developing one’s health. Use
water will be out of the tube. the letters of the words “SNORKELING” in each stanza. Create
your output creatively and imaginatively.
Pressure is Felt in the Ear While Diving
Pressure builds as one dive deeper because the body’s air
spaces are being compressed or squeezed by the surrounding
water pressure. The pressure outside the ear’s space is greater
than the pressure inside, thus giving an uncomfortable
sensation in the ears and even pain as one continuous to dive
deeper. To equalize this pressure, do the “pinch-blow nose”.
How is this done? Close the mouth, pinch the nose, and then
gently blowout air through the block nose. A crackling sound will
be heard and one will feel the pressure subsiding. Wiggling the
jaw from side to side will also make the equalization technique
easier.

Benefits of Snorkeling
Snorkeling helps the overall fitness of a person. Aside from
having fun under the water swimming, doing the flutter kick and
diving tones and trims the body. It works out the quadriceps,
hamstring, calves, ankles, hip, flexors, core muscles, and
shoulders while swimming. Above all, snorkeling builds greater
lung capacity as one is forced to hold breath underwater for
sustained periods of time. It increases the oxygen uptake, which
is a positive indicator of aerobic fitness. It is also a good
cardiovascular workout as it increases heart rate and
strengthens the heart muscle.

LEARNING TASK 1.

LEARNING TASK 2. Fill in the blank.

Directions: Identify what is described in each statement. Write

your answer on the blank.

__________ 1. It is described as peeking through life

underneath water by swimming with the aid of a snorkel and
mask.

__________ 2. It serves as the viewing device in appreciating

the world beneath the water. Without this basic gear, everything
viewed underwater will be blurred or distorted.

__________ 3. It is the soft flexible material that seals the mask

around the face.

__________ 4. It helps prevent the mask from fogging up. Be

sure to choose one that is non-toxic, biodegradable and alcohol
free for one’s protection and for the protection of marine life.

__________ 5. It is a big help in keeping hair out of the snorkel

and the face as well. It will also help in preventing the scalp from
burning on a sunny day.