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Gear: Snorkels
Having a snorkel equippped on your mask allows you to breathe comfortably on the surface of the water. The body naturally rests face down, so the snorkel is a relaxing way to breathe while looking underwater. The snorkel also allows you to keep water out of your mouth without using air from your cylinder.
Shamus' Patented Bootie Fitting Technique
- You should try a potential new snorkel with your mask. Make sure they feel comfortable together.
- The mouthpiece should feel comfortable and have enough of a bit tab to have a good grip.
- Most snorkels come with a way to attach them to a mask, double check that this attachment will not pull at your hair. Look into a neoprene snorkel keeper if you have problems.
Pool time. This is a good time to get that mask back in the water, too.
- Adjust the snorkel so that it is comfortable in your mouth. If you decide to do a snorkel excursion on one of your surface intervals, you will want to be comfortable.
- Do some snorkel dives and clear the snorkel when your surface. Make sure you can clear it with minimum effort.
- Color coordinating snorkels and masks are very common, but keep in mind that neon yellow is very easy to see underwater.
Other things to consider:
- Snorkels come in purge and non-purge varieties. Purge snorkels help you clear them by allowing water to drain when you reach the surface. Non-purge snorkels must be cleared with a forcelful exhalation of air.
- Other options include flex and non-flex. Non-flex snorkels are in a standard 'J' position and sit with the mouthpiece hanging just below your mouth. Flex snorkels bend to help keep the mouthpiece out of your way.
- You can also find dry snorkels (they seal upon submerging so that no water enters them), semi-dry (they help keep water from splashing waves out of the snorkel) or standard bore.
- Angled bores help break through the water, lessening your water resistance when snorkeling.
- Some snorkels have replaceable mouthpieces.
Care and feeding:
- Rinse your snorkel off in clean, fresh water after every dive.
- Clean your mouthpiece with a disinfectant every few dives.
- Check your mouthpiece before every dive to ensure that the bite tabs are solid and the mouthpiece is intact.
- Carry an extra snorkel keeper in your save-a-dive kit.
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