| Modern man still has that urge to "Go where no | | | | the mask you have chosen. Beside the view the |
| man has gone before." One frontier still untamed | | | | mask also encloses your nose which helps to |
| by man but easier to reach than the stars is the | | | | maintain a comfortable pressure while underwater. |
| deep blue Sea. Man has figured a way to survive | | | | Not to mention keeping the ocean water out of |
| the depths and do a little exploring of this | | | | your nose. Try it on make sure it is a good fit but |
| uncharted underwater world. Take your | | | | not too tight ask the salesperson for advice. |
| underwater camera or underwater camcorder | | | | THE SNORKEL - There are several designs, some |
| with you to document this wondrous experience | | | | have funny twist others are designed to follow |
| to share with your friends and loved ones. This is | | | | the contours of your head and then bend |
| a common sense guide to help you purchase the | | | | opposite of your head so you are not giving |
| proper equipment. Do not cheat yourself by | | | | yourself a "water torture" every time you expel |
| purchasing low quality diving equipment this | | | | water from the tube. The hard rubber mouth |
| equipment is not only to make your underwater | | | | piece is special fitted so that it sits comfortably |
| world more pleasurable it is for your safety as | | | | between clenched teeth. People with braces may |
| well. | | | | need to speak with their orthodontist before they |
| Snorkeling - also known as "Free Divers" because | | | | dive. Pressure from the hard rubber can cause |
| they do not depend on clunky scuba gear to do | | | | irritation and bleeding of the gums even to those |
| this dive. I think they should be called "relativity | | | | that do not wear braces. The tube of the snorkel |
| free Divers" because the equipment is less | | | | has caused some conflict between divers, which is |
| expensive than scuba diving but not quite free. It | | | | better the large bore which is known to make |
| is limited to close to shore diving or shallow water | | | | breathing easier but poor air quality because the |
| because visibility to the bottom is your goal | | | | expelled air hangs out inside the tube taking up |
| underwater; the more water between you and | | | | space or the small bore which is harder to get a |
| your subject the less clarity. You will see there is | | | | big gulp of air from but it has better quality |
| very little equipment needed. This is a great | | | | oxygen levels because expelled air has no place to |
| workout sport it uses almost every muscle in the | | | | hang out. So you choose easier breathing/less |
| body and conditions the lungs as well. As it is with | | | | oxygen or better oxygen quality/ harder to get a |
| all strenuous activities you should be checked by | | | | good gulp of air. This is a tough call for me. |
| your physician before attempting this sport. Being | | | | THE SWIM FINS - Swim fins can also be |
| a powerful swimmer is not required just floating | | | | purchased although not necessary if you just |
| along with the fish is all you really need.The | | | | want to hang out in the calm shallow waters. The |
| resistance of the water on your body causes | | | | more adventuress part of you may not be |
| more calorie burn off than a jog on land and is | | | | satisfied staying in the shallow therefore you will |
| easier on the joints. Though professional | | | | need the fins because they do help boost the |
| instruction is not really necessary for this | | | | diver's control, speed and power immensely and |
| underwater sport I suggest you read books or do | | | | assist the diver to go deeper. Fins come in two |
| some research before attempting. Just goof | | | | types the slip on (like slippers) or the suggested |
| around in a swimming pool first to get the hang | | | | adjustable strap fin. The adjustable strap comes in |
| of breathing through the snorkel. Never, Never, | | | | three fin sizes small, medium and large you need |
| Never go alone if you do not have another | | | | to know the larger the fin the more water |
| partner to dive with make sure to have a buddy | | | | resistance, the more muscles used to propel you |
| waiting on land in case of an emergency situation. | | | | in the water. If you are a small framed person or |
| THE MASK - the mask is very important it is | | | | not very athletic I would suggest you start with |
| your window to your underwater world. You | | | | the small or medium fin. Neoprene booties are |
| want a crystal clear view free of flaws. Make | | | | almost always worn with fins to keep the feet |
| sure the glass is tempered it should say so | | | | warm and comfortable they also prevent blisters. |
| somewhere around the rim a cheap plastic face | | | | THE UNDERWATER DIGITAL CAMERA - This is |
| plate can become scratched when you toss it into | | | | optional but I think you will live to regret it if you |
| your sandy beach bag this will cause a foggy | | | | do not take one with you on this meaningful |
| view like looking out of a dirty window. You may | | | | occasion when man tests the unexplored world |
| have saved a couple bucks but the view is the | | | | beneath the Sea. |
| reason for the dive right? Speaking of the view | | | | As you can see there is really not much expense |
| those of us who wear glasses or contact lenses | | | | incurred with snorkeling after trying it out if you |
| have a little caution here. The arms of the glasses | | | | fall in love with the sport or you want to swim in |
| will not fit comfortably under the mask strap and | | | | colder waters you will need to invest in a wetsuit |
| wearing contacts you run the risk of your mask | | | | and other accessories such as a nylon mesh bag |
| flooding and washing out your contacts. Some | | | | to collect all of you found treasures, a buoyancy |
| dive shops carry masks with pre-ground lenses | | | | compensator and gloves. Have a wonderful safe |
| that may help you or if you plan on really getting | | | | time but always respect you underwater |
| into this sport you can have the lenses special | | | | environment. |
| ground with your prescription to be bonded into | | | | |