SNORKEL GEAR SETUP Start by washing the inside of your new mask with mild dish soap or toothpaste to remove remaining manufacturing compounds that can make the lens fog up. Then put the snorkel on the outside of the mask strap, on the left. If there are plastic inserts in the fin foot pockets make sure to pull them out.

If you’re going to be out snorkeling for long, don’t forget to use waterproof sunscreen or wear a dive skin suit or a light wetsuit. In cooler water a wetsuit keeps you warmer and helps you float. Note: Some snorkeling sites don’t allow sunscreen as it may disturb the environmental conditions.

Just before entering the water rub defog solution inside your mask and rinse it out. It is important to make sure to rinse after using defog as the solution can damage or sting your eyes. If you don’t have any defog solution, saliva works too, but rinse after using! For your fins, loosen the straps and give them a dip so they slide on easily. Make sure the heel pad aligns with the center of your heel and then snug the straps so they’re secure and comfortable.

Put your mask on by pulling the strap over the crown of your head. Then adjust the straps for a comfortable fit but do not over-tighten. Make sure to clear your hair from your face to achieve a good seal. Finally, adjust the snorkel so it fits comfortably in your mouth on the left side of your face.

GETTING IN THE WATER If you have to walk through shallow water with your fins on, shuffle your feet backward or sideways so you don’t trip on the blades. If you’re entering deeper water from a low boat or dock, just ease yourself in. If the boat or dock is too high to slide in then after checking to make sure that the water’s deep enough, just step in. Hold your mask so it doesn’t slide up and off when you splash into the water. Don’t step in from anything higher than about your own height over the water; find a way to get closer to the water to get in.

Swimming with your snorkeling gear is easy – just breathe, swim and have fun. Lifting your head up to breathe wastes energy and wears you out, so use your snorkel, float, relax and watch the underwater world. The whole point of your snorkel is that it takes much less effort to breathe with your face in the water. As you swim, keep your arms at your side. If water splashes into your snorkel just blow out the water by exhaling sharply. Kick from your hips without bending your knees too much.

Now that you are an experienced snorkeler you may decide to expand your range. Here are some expert snorkeling tips. As you swim along, you may decide you want to take a closer look at something below you. Take a deep breath, hold it, and then swim gently downward.

As you go deeper, you’ll feel pressure on your ears; this is normal. To equalize the pressure, pinch your nose and blow gently against it. You’ll feel the pressure equalize in your ears. Do this every few feet, before you feel discomfort. IF YOU CAN’T EQUALIZE YOUR EARS, DO NOT DESCEND FURTHER. It will hurt, and you can injury your ears. If you can’t equalize, stop, go back up, catch your breath and try again. With some practice, you’ll find you can equalize your ears easily.

You’ll also feel your mask pressing against your face as you go down. Blow some air through your nose into the mask to equalize the pressure. When you feel the urge to breathe, swim up. Look up and extend your arm for safety as you come up.

Standard snorkels will flood with water when you submerge, so you need to clear it at the surface before taking a breath. Just blow out the water by exhaling sharply.

Dry-top snorkels (also know as submersible snorkels) will close to keep water out of the snorkel while you are underwater. Although the snorkel should be dry when you surface, just exhale lightly to release the pressure so that the top will reopen. If any water has entered in your snorkel it can be cleared with a sharp exhalation.

Sometimes you may not have enough air in your lungs to blow out the water. No problem. Just take out the snorkel, turn your head, get a breath, and then clear it.

TAKING CARE OF YOUR GEAR When you’re done snorkeling, rinse your gear in fresh water. Let it dry in a cool location well out of the sun before storing it. This is all it takes to take care of your gear so it will be ready for your next underwater adventure.