Sunday, March 11, 2012

Snorkeling Safety - Key Information You Ought to be Aware of

By Devon Masterson


Did you know that many snorkelers die weekly even if it is a much safer pursuit than scuba diving? The failure to observe basic safety guidelines is often the cause of these mishaps. Your safety should always be your top priority every time you go out for a dive. Do not get overly excited about the trip or about the prospect of conquering a new snorkeling territory that you forget to observe safety guidelines.

Whether you're a seasoned snorkeler or just a beginner, here are some tips that you should always keep in mind before you head out.

Don't snorkel if you can't swim. This should be pretty obvious but it seems that some people mistakenly think that being able to float face down and kick with your legs is enough to make them a snorkeler. Dead wrong. You should have decent swimming skills so that you can swim quickly for shore whenever there's a need to.

Snorkelers should always pair up. The buddy system applies even in regular pool swims. When snorkeling, stay close to each other so that you can help each other out in case of emergencies. Experienced divers and swimmers often pay the ultimate price when they become too overconfident about their skills and go on snorkeling trips alone.

Stay within swimming distance to shore. This is something that newbie snorkelers should always keep in mind. If you want a more thrilling adventure farther out, you should always be confident about your swimming abilities. You should be sure that you have ample energy to make it back to shore if you put yourself in this situation. But you have to keep in mind that the shore looks much nearer than it seems when you're viewing it from the water. You should honestly assess your strength and stamina and must never attempt to go far when you know that you are not fit enough for it.

Prevent fatigue by using a snorkeling vest or a flotation device. If you don't use up energy swimming, you're bound to enjoy snorkeling more. Aside from allowing you to see underwater life in all its glory, flotation devices also save your energy for those emergencies that will require you to swim fast towards the shore.

Get to know the lay of the dive site before snorkeling. Ask the locals and the dive boat operator so you are warned of the areas that can potentially turn your dive into a disaster. Learn when the tides will rise and keep in mind that these have the potential to carry you out to the ocean where you won't survive with only your snorkeling gear.

Learn in advance the kinds of marine life present in the dive site. Sea urchins can be very painful when you accidentally step on them. Don't feed the moray eels since they have razor sharp teeth that can really painfully bite on your finger. Ask about sharks and if they are there, it goes without saying that you should avoid them.

Any snorkeler must have a working knowledge of CPR and first aid. When your dive buddy gets air into his or her lungs, mouth to mouth resuscitation could give a favorable outcome and avert disastrous consequences.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment