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.

How did Snorkeling begin?

 Hollow reed (3000 BC)

Hollow reed - skin drivers of the Island Crete in the Mediterranean used hollow reeds
to breather while submerged in water as they collected sponges.

 Skin animals were filled with air

Skin animals were filled with air - is used of driver in Assyria using animal skin filled with
air to lengthen their stay underwater.

 Diving Bell (300 BC)

Diving bell - Alexander the Great encouraged the development of the first diving bell,
which was a Cauldron designed to trap a pocket of air when it was lowered into the
water.
 Eye Goggles from the shell (1300 BC)

Eye goggles from shell – the shell of the Tortoise was to develop a gadget to protect
the of tortoise the eye. As well as to see more clearly in water. The shell was sliced very
thinly until it became translucent then polished for vision clarity. It was then used by the
Persian drivers.

 Hollowed tube and sketch of webbed swimming gloves (1400 BE)

Hollowed tube and sketch of webbed swimming gloves – Leonarda Da Vinci proposed
and created the first contemporary snorkel, a hollow tube designed attached to the
leather-head helmet of the driver, allowing to breathe even when face was sub merged
underwater. He also had sketch of webbed swimming gloves.

 Wooden paddles (1717)

Wooden paddles – Benjamin Franklin came up with an idea of using wooden paddles
attached to the hand and feet to help swimmers swim faster.

 Modern Fins (1912)

Modern fins – were invented by Frenchman Loius De Corlieu. Patent for this was
obtained in 1933

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 or 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.

A. MASK
A Mask serves as the viewing device in appreciating the world beneath the
water. Without the mask, everything viewed underwater will be blurred of
distorted. The airspace created in the mask is what helps in seeing clearly
underwater.

The nose being enclosed in the mask will have its special function in
equalizing pressure during dives. What do we mean by this? Diving underwater
brings this pressure, one need to exhale a little air through the nose, inside the
mask. Otherwise, one might suffer from “mask squeeze” a condition where the
soft tissues beneath the mask, especially around the eyes, swell and discolor.

PARTS OF THE MASK

STRAP
MASK SKIRT
NOSE POCKET

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 mount. The snorkel also has a clip so it
can be attached to the mask.

Kinds of Snorkel:

Classic Snorkel has most basic part, the solid tube and the mouthpiece. Sometimes,
this can be sent to specific shape

 Snorkel with a flexible tube below the strap attachment point is more comfortable
than a classical snorkel. The flexible tube allows the top and mouthpiece to rotate to
different angles to better fit the face.it can also drop away from the face when not in
use.
 Purge valve a common feature of many snorkels. This is a small valve just lower
than the mouth that empties the collected water that comes down the tube when one
blows it out.
 Splash guard prevent splashed water and spray from easily entering the tube.
However, this will not stop water from entering the tube when a big wave covers the
snorkel and when one goes underwater
 Dry valve is a special valve on top of the tube that completely stop water (and air)
from entering the tube when a wave comes or when diving underwater. This way,
one does not need to clear the water out when coming back to the surface.

C.SNORKRLING 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.

D.SNORKEL VESTS

Snorkel vests are small and inflatable, which provide more buoyancy while floating in
water. This will help in consuming less energy in moving around. Snorkel vests are
small and inflatable, which provide more buoyancy while floating in 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 gets 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 water. Relax and breath through
the snorkel while enjoying the aquatic life.
Adjust the strap when that mask is leaking water. Is maybe 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 the 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.

a. “Feet-First” Dive
As described by name, the feet go down first during this dive. Tread. vertically in
the water then kick upward. As the body sinks down, raise arms above the head.
Pull the knees to the chest then lower the head.
This will rotate the body to a horizontal position and swim underwater.

b. “Head-First” Dive
While at a horizontal position, kick forward, bend at the hips, and pull knees and
arms toward the chest. Thrust legs straight up and maintain a streamlined
position to glide into the water. Kick with feet to down, and then arch back for a
horizontal position.
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 while
surfacing then exhale a small amount of air into the snorkel. While ascending, the
air will. expand and displace the water so that by the time one reaches the
surface, almost all water will be out of the tube.

 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.