SNORKELING TIPS FOR ENTERING THE WATER FROM BOAT

1. When given permission by the appropriate crew member approach the platform carrying your fins with your mask and snorkel in place and your fins.
2. Give your fins to the attending crew member and sit on the edge of the platform. The crew member will hand you your fins one a time for you to put on. (the steps that follow are to be done in a continuous motion but are broken down for the sake of simplicity)
3. When you are ready turn your upper torso so that both of your hands make contact with the platform on the same side of your body. This is the same as if you were turning around to talk to someone behind you.
4. You will rock onto your arms which will turn your body so that you are facing the boat.
5. Lower yourself into the water.

The Back Roll Entry can be an option in calm water or if the boat is gently rocking.

1. When you reach the platform. Don your fins while standing. Turn your body around on the platform so that you are facing the front of the boat and your heels are at the edge of the platform.
2. Crouch down as low as possible.
3. Place four fingers of one hand on the faceplate of your mask and the palm of the same hand on the mouthpiece portion of the snorkel.
4. The other hand is placed place accross the lower front portion of the snorkeling vest.
5. Take a deep breath from your snorkel and hold it.
6. Place the tip of your tongue against the snorkel mouthpiece to block it
7. Making sure the entry area is clear, roll back into the water (resist the urge to push off with your legs)
8. Maintain your hold on the mask, snorkel and vest all the way into the the water.
9. Once in the water release your hold on the vest and make sure that the mask strap did not slide out of place before releasing your hold on the face plate of your mask.
10. Unless you have a dry snorkel your snorkel will have filled with water. Now is the time to forcefully exhale the air the air that you have been holding (see #5) through the snorkel mouthpiece to blast the water out of the snorkel.
11. There may be a little water left in the snorkel after the initial clearing so you should place the tip of your tongue behind your upper front teeth and inhale cautiously through the snorkel. Doing this will make the tongue a splash guard. Any water left in the snorkel will splash off the tongue to the sides of the mouth during the initial inhalation rather than shooting down your windpipe. You will actually be able to breathe past this small amount of water enough to reblast it out of the snorkel.
12. If the directions in #11 are impossible for you to follow, then take the mouthpiece out of your mouth flip it over and dump the water like most people end up doing.

The Giant Stride Entry is the most common entry when snorkeling from a boat. It can be used in calm to slightly choppy water.

1. Place your feet on the edge of the platform so that the arches of your feet are are resting comfortably at the edge.
2. Look down at the area in which you are about to enter to make sure that it is safe to enter.
3. Place four fingers of one hand on the faceplate of your mask with the palm of the same hand on the part of the snorkel that is in your mouth. You want to maintain this contact all the way into the water as these are the pieces that will be most likely to shift out of place when they make contact with the water on your entry.
4. Your other hand should be placed accross the lower front portion of the snorkeling vest to keep it from riding up when you enter. This is especially important if you choose to make your entry with the vest partially inflated. Failing to do so may cause varying degrees of discomfort stemming from the crotch strap.
5. Look straight out across the water rather than down at the water.
6. When you step out, do so as if you were stepping over a huge puddle of water.
7. Either seconds prior to stepping or somewhere along the way you will have to hold your breath by taking a big inhalation from your snorkel afterwhich you need to block the mouthpiece opening with your tongue.
8. Keep your legs separated until your fins enter the water at which time you bring them together as if you were coming to attention. It also provides the upward thrust which will slow or stop your descent.
9. Maintain your hold on the mask, snorkel and vest all the way into the the water.
10. Once in the water release your hold on the vest and make sure that the mask strap did not slide out of place before releasing your hold on the face plate of your mask.
11. Unless you have a dry snorkel your snorkel will have filled with water. Now is the time to forcefully exhale the air the air that you have been holding through the snorkel mouthpiece to blast the water out of the snorkel.
12. There may be a little water left in the snorkel after the initial clearing so you should place the tip of your tongue behind your upper front teeth and inhale cautiously through the snorkel. Doing this will make the tongue a splash guard. Any water left in the snorkel will splash off the tongue to the sides of the mouth during the initial inhalation rather than shooting down your windpipe. You will actually be able to breathe past this small amount of water enough to reblast it out of the snorkel.
13. If the directions in #11 are impossible for you to follow, then take the mouthpiece out of your mouth flip it over and dump the water like most people end up doing.