Snorkels

Snorkeling can be enjoyed by almost anyone who has access to a lake, river, pond or ocean and is second only to scuba diving but is considerably cheaper. The basic description of a snorkel would be a long plastic tube that allows a person to breathe with their face submerged just inches below the surface of the water.

A simple snorkel would be a tube bent at the bottom with an attached mouthpiece. The diver keeps it in his mouth by biting down on it, while the top of the tube protrudes above the water allowing the diver to breathe even though he is underwater. Most snorkels can be attached to a scuba mask with a clip which frees the diver from having to hold it in place.

The mouthpieces that attach to snorkels come in different shapes and sizes and each person should find one that fits them, to reduce jaw strain and maximize comfort. Below the mouthpiece is a reservoir that collects any water that may enter the snorkel tube, the diver can clear this when he surfaces or starts to breathe in water. There are several variations on the basic snorkel and I will cover a few of them here. Your basic snorkel is known as an open top snorkel. This type of snorkel has an open top which allows any water that enters to travel into the mouthpiece which the diver has to clear. These are lightweight and should be used where waters are calm or slightly choppy.

Next we have semi-dry snorkels which prevent most water from entering the tube as long as it is not completely submerged. These snorkels use a system of vents and angles to prevent water from entering the mouthpiece and are best used in calm to somewhat rough conditions. Their disadvantage is that they are a bit top heavy and take some getting used to.

Up next is the dry top snorkel which completely seals itself off if the top of the tube dips below the water surface. There is no need to clear these snorkels when surfacing as they take on no water. The disadvantage of these snorkels is that they are top heavy. When diving these snorkels can trap air and become buoyant and can pull on the mask. Some divers like these dry top type of snorkels while others think are too complicated. Innovations in technology and equipment have made it possible for almost anyone to enjoy the art of snorkeling. Experiment to find which snorkel fits you best, the more comfortable you are with your snorkel equipment the more you can concentrate on enjoying your snorkeling experience.