How to Snorkel
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Bocas del Toro Panama is a great place to snorkel. We
have many people come down to visit who have never
gone snorkeling before. Here are a few of the
instructions we give to them when we prepare for
their first encounter:
1. Test your mask and snorkel together to make sure they workd well together.
2. Try on the mask and snorkel on your face to determine fit and comfort.
3. Generally you position the rubber strap that attaches the snorkel to your mask so that the snorkel is just above your left ear. Most snorkels are right handed, but if you are using a special left-handed snorkel, you will attach your snorkel to be just above your right ear.
4. Once you are in the water, take a deep breath, bite down on the mouthpiece and submerge your head in the water.
5. Purge your snorkel of any water that may be in the snorkel shaft by exhaling sharply.
6. Breathe gently using the snorkel at first in case any water remains in the snorkel. Purge the snorkel a second time if needed and do so anytime there appears to be water in the snorkel shaft.
7. Move gently on the surface of the water. Any rapid or abrupt movements may fill the snorkel shaft with water.
8. If you want to dive down and see something a bit closer, then inhale and hold your breath so that you do not take in any water from the snorkel itself. Dive down and explore the ocean below you.
9. As you complete your shallow dive, ascend. Once you are sure the end of the snorkel is above the surface of the ocean, then purge to clear the snorkel shaft.
10. Breathe gently and make sure the snorkel is completely cleared of water before you begin breathing normally.
11. At any time that you are uncomfortable, you can lift your entire head out of the water and breathe. Once you are ready, you may begin the process again.
1. Test your mask and snorkel together to make sure they workd well together.
2. Try on the mask and snorkel on your face to determine fit and comfort.
3. Generally you position the rubber strap that attaches the snorkel to your mask so that the snorkel is just above your left ear. Most snorkels are right handed, but if you are using a special left-handed snorkel, you will attach your snorkel to be just above your right ear.
4. Once you are in the water, take a deep breath, bite down on the mouthpiece and submerge your head in the water.
5. Purge your snorkel of any water that may be in the snorkel shaft by exhaling sharply.
6. Breathe gently using the snorkel at first in case any water remains in the snorkel. Purge the snorkel a second time if needed and do so anytime there appears to be water in the snorkel shaft.
7. Move gently on the surface of the water. Any rapid or abrupt movements may fill the snorkel shaft with water.
8. If you want to dive down and see something a bit closer, then inhale and hold your breath so that you do not take in any water from the snorkel itself. Dive down and explore the ocean below you.
9. As you complete your shallow dive, ascend. Once you are sure the end of the snorkel is above the surface of the ocean, then purge to clear the snorkel shaft.
10. Breathe gently and make sure the snorkel is completely cleared of water before you begin breathing normally.
11. At any time that you are uncomfortable, you can lift your entire head out of the water and breathe. Once you are ready, you may begin the process again.