Snorkel safety tips
Staying afloat in Virgin waters
D.B. Bostdorf
It's exhilarating to dive into the cyan sea for a snorkel. A few precautions will make sure you stay safe, and enjoy your swim with the fish.
Utilize a reputable operator of snorkle tours and excursions, if you want to snorkel beyond the shore. Experienced tour operators know the wind and water conditons, and won't put you in harm's way.
Ask locals about the best beaches for snorkeling close to shore, and what kind of sea life you can expect to find.
Never snorkle in rough waves.
Assess your swiming skills and endurance. Too much exertion leads to cramps and other dangerous predicaments.
Swim with another person or at an area with other snorkelers. You don't want to get stung stung by a jellyfish or get a cramp, with no one to help.
Include a float vest, when you rent snorkel gear. Don't assume you naturally float. All equipment should properly fit and be inspected for wear and tear.
You will also need
- Mask
- Pair of fins
- Snorkel tube
- Neoprene booties worn on feet to protect against fin blisters
Relax as you enter the water. Breath normally through your snorkle tube. Take visual inventory and note your surroundings, both below and above the surface. Be gentle around acquatic life. Swim slowly and deliberately.
Don't swim past floating markers.
If the lens of your mask gets cloudy, remove your mask, spit into the lens, and rinse the mask in sea water. The spit is a local trick, which seems to magically defogg the mask.
You might be tempted to take a shell or a piece of coral as a souvenir, but don't. It's against the law, and dangerous for the environment.
Don't touch or brush up against coral. It takes hundreds of years to create a coral reef, which can be easily destroyed by human touch.
You might be tempted to snorkel for hours, but limit your time. Snorkeling takes energy, and you don't want to beocme exhausted in the water.
Finally, don't forget to plan for your time at the beach.
Pack a beach umbrella, towels, chairs, sunscreen, fresh water, a cookie or a piece of fruit, and a cell phone for emergencies.
D.B. Bostdorf is a frequent contributor to Virgin Voice.
Print this Article
Click Here to Add a Comment