by Roy on November 21, 2011
When it comes to selecting a snorkel mask the styles that are available are almost infinite. The most obvious differences in the styles out there is the number of lenses or windows that a mask has.
The most common choices for a snorkel mask can include a single lens up to and including a four lens mask. (and yes there is a single lens and three lens snorkel mask, although we dont talk about them in this article.)
The number of lenses can affect the amount of light that enters the viewing area on the snorkel mask as well as having an affect on peripheral vision. Three and four window masks are usually larger masks over all because the side windows are added. This configuration increases adds additional peripheral vision. This could also be a benefit to those people with a higher nose bridge because the front of the lens is farther away from the face.
by Roy on November 15, 2011
This is a very good question. A person who snorkels with their own personal snorkel gear is going to be more comfortable while they’re snorkeling. I know this from personal experience. When I go on vacation I have always made sure that I have brought my own mask, snorkel and fins. I know whose face my mask is been on and I know whose mouth my snorkel has been in. As far as snorkeling fins go, I know that my fins fit me comfortably and I have gotten extremely used to how they perform for me while I am snorkeling.
When the airlines started putting restrictions on luggage which included number of pieces, size for carry-on and weight, it threw me in a dilemma. My original snorkeling fins were 24 inches long. They did take up a goodly amount of space in my luggage and they were a bit on the heavy side. My dilemma was to take them or do I rent a pair of fins while I’m on vacation? I thought long and hard about this.
Snorkeling manufacturers did come to bat by making “travel fins” such as the U.S. Divers Trek Fins and Cressi Palau SAF Fins. These fins were touted as lighter in weight and shorter than traditional snorkeling fins and from the reviews by users, people are actually preferring the travel size fins over the traditional length fins.
Now the question changed to, do I buy a pair of the new travel fins to take with or do I rent what they have there?
My answer actually came from a telephone customer who was purchasing mask, snorkel and fins for his upcoming vacation. He relayed a story of being on his last vacation where he chose to rent his snorkeling gear. His experience was having a mask that leaked because it didn’t fit. They didn’t have another selection because most of them were already rented and it was the best of what was left. It came with a snorkel but he realized that the snorkel was going in his mouth and he wasn’t sure of whose mouth it had been in before and wasn’t sure if it was sanitized. And they were out of the size snorkeling fins he needed. He was told that he could come back in an hour or two and they would probably have a lot of the previously rented gear back. If that didn’t add insult to injury, then the fact that he had already waited 45 minutes in a line to rent the equipment did.
Needless to say I bought my travel fins shortly after I finished processing his order.
by Cathy on November 12, 2011
Lets start with a basic question on snorkels, ‘what is a snorkel?’
A snorkel is a breathing tube which allows a person to take in air while their face is submerged in the water. The basic components of a snorkel is a breathing tube (bore), mouthpiece, flexible or fixed connector, and a snorkel keeper. A snorkel may have additional features which are designed to add more comfort factors for the user. These additional features on a snorkel can include, but are not limited to, a purge valve, replaceable mouthpiece, dry or semi dry top attachment and convenient quick release snorkel keeper. (Here is a Snorkel Comparison Chart, that we found on SnorkelingOnline.
The breathing tube is usually available in two different sizes, one specifically for an adult the other specifically for a child. The bore of the kids snorkel is traditionally smaller in diameter than the bore size of the adult snorkel. The reason for the size differential is primarily due to lung volume differences between adults and kids. When breathing through a snorkel you have to breathe through what is called “dead air spaces”. These are air spaces and both the snorkel and the human body where there is air, but that air is not being utilized. The snorkel tube is once such air space. When breathing through a snorkel, the user needs to inhale a little more deeply and exhale a little more forcefully to avoid rebreathing their exhalation.
The picture of the anatomy of the snorkel is an Oceanic Ultra Dry Snorkel.
by Roy on October 13, 2011
The snorkeling fins that have a split design was first introduced by a company called Nature’s Wing. It was designed along the same lines of a whale tail. While this doesn’t make very much sense, I can honestly say that the split and the design on the snorkeling fins do requires a lot less energy to use. You almost feel as if you are not wearing snorkeling fins at all. The fins are almost collective as a compensate for variance in a person kick. When you talk to people who have used the split fin design, you will find that they did like them or they didnt. I have noticed that people who have been snorkeling for years tend to be ones who don’t like the snorkeling split fins. I think the main reason for that is that they are so used to the resistance that the traditional fins give them. When the user split the snorkeling fins, much of that resistance is gone which subconsciously makes them think they are not working. But go ahead and try a pair, if you dont like them, return them and if you do like them, tell your friends.
SnorkelingOnline.com offers 3 styles of Snorkeling Split Fins, U.S. Divers Blast II Fins, Deep See Aqua Glide Snorkeling Fins and the Oceanic V6 Fins.
I love happy endings and this story has a happy ending for everyone involved because of snorkeling vests.
A doctor in Toronta was snorkeling with his 6 year old son in the Turks and Caicos and the weather turned on them. With the waves growing strong, the doctor noticed a couple who started panicking in the water and the 6 year old told his dad to go save them. The 6 year old had his snorkeling vest on and dad saved the couple. The gentleman did not notice that the snorkeling vests was deflating and he panicked. While the 6 year old was snorkeling in front of dad, the panicked man was on dads back. All arrived back on the boat safe.
Folks, please please please… where your snorkeling vests and while you are on land, practice inflating and deflating the snorkeling vests and then practice inflating and delating your buddys snorkeling vests. Accidents do happen and I want all of our snorkelers to be safe, always!
Read the whole happy story on The Toronto Star. To read more about Snorkeling Vests, Select the Right One. If you are not convinced, watch our video – Why Should You Wear Snorkeling Vests.
by Roy on November 17, 2010
We often get questions on everything about snorkeling and we would like to share with you on the answer. If you would like to ask any questions, please let me know.
Roy
How do I stop getting cramps in my legs or feet while snorkeling?
There could be more than a few reasons and I bet they have to do with your snorkeling fins. Lets discuss each possible reason.
1 – If you are wearing a full foot snorkeling fins and you have wide feet or high arches, you will usually cramp up. The solution is to wear strap fins.
2 – The blade portion of your snorkeling fins may be to stiff. All fins need to have a reasonable degree of flexibility in the blade area to help reduce stress on the calf and thigh area. The stiffer the blade, the greater chance of cramping. (Most cheap fins have a stiff blade, remember you get what you pay for.)
3 – Another reason for cramping is because you may be using improper kicks or kicking to hard. When using your fins, your legs should be kept straight and the kick should be more from the hip rather than below the knee. If your knees bend when you are kicking, then you are kicking to hard.
4 – When was the last time you checked your potassium? A banana or avocados should help, and dont forget to call for an appointment with your doctor!
We hope we have helped you with any cramping that you may have with your snorkeling fins. Here is a great article, Snorkeling Fins, Select the Right Pair, that will help you with your snorkeling fins choice. Have fun in the water!
Roy
by Cathy on November 11, 2010
Please, take a snorkel dive flag with you when you go out into the open waters. This cool snorkel dive flag hooks onto your snorkel and shows boaters that you are in the water. What reminded me to tell you about this life saving product?
I just read an article about a snorkeler who was snorkeling in a popular spot in Phuket, Thailand. A speedboat ran the tourist over and dragged him for over a mile before the captain stopped. The guy is fine well not counting the bruises and he did lose his snorkeling mask, snorkel and fins. This gentleman is very lucky!
Read more about the snorkeler who was run over by a boat. And if you are interested in Phuket, here is a list of the best snorkeling in Phuket.
