SNORKELING AND DIVING
SNORKELING
The team behind our in-house snorkeling brand Subea, are passionate snorkellers themselves, so they know exactly what you need to discover the underwater world safely. Zip up in a streamlining wetsuit, add booties and fins for extra propulsion and be sure to check out our snorkelling masks, including our most innovative creation yet, the Easybreath mask.
SCUBA DIVING
Not only reserved for one-offs on holiday, scuba diving is a fun, challenging and rewarding activity you can take up at home too. After a few lessons, you'll want your own gear and our in-house brand Subea has dedicated it's offer for just that. Diving masks, fins, snorkels and Wetsuits are a good place to start.
SNORKELING KIT
Snorkeling without fins?
It is quite possible to practice snorkeling without fins even if they provide more comfort and safety. Indeed, they provide you with a swimming aid, but if you are comfortable in the water and you do not intend to cover too great a distance, you can do without them. To protect your feet when entering the water, on rocks for example, aquashoes can be very useful! Be careful not to crush the fauna and flora of these fragile ecosystems!
Snorkel technique
There is no specific snorkeling technique. The practice adapts to your level and your desires. If you want to observe the underwater fauna and flora from the surface with your Easybreath, you can simply let yourself float and take a few strokes. But if you want to go further, do some snorkeling with your mask and snorkel, or even go underwater, you are totally free, that's the advantage of snorkeling!
MASK AND SNORKEL SET
Historically, we used a mask and a snorkel for home snorkeling. Be careful, diving with your head forward with a diving mask is strongly discouraged! Despite the fact that the glass is extremely strong, there is always a risk of injury if it breaks into several pieces.
When fitting your mask, do not overtighten it to prevent water from entering, this may have the opposite effect and cause discomfort.
During periods of apnea, your snorkel fills with water. To expel the water from your snorkel, calmly blow into it once at the surface. Finally, your snorkel should be placed perpendicular to your face to avoid water ingress in the presence of small waves.
HOW TO SNORKEL AND FIGHT THE COLD?
Your body cools faster in water. It is essential to reduce the duration of your session and to wear something protecting you from the cold such as a neoprene top or a wetsuit. It has to be well adjusted to your size but also to the temperature of the water. Quivering? Blue lips? These Indications show that it is necessary to get out of the water, especially for children who are less sensitive to the cold!
PREVENT HYDROCUTION
When entering the water, go gradually, especially after too much exposure to the sun. Wetting the neck with your hands as well as the rest of your body is probably the best solution.
ANTICIPATE CRAMPS AND HYPOGLYCEMIA
Many factors lead to muscle cramps: low temperatures, lack of sleep, alcoholic beverages, effort, lack of physical condition, stress, dehydration, hunger or even inadequate equipment… To fight against the appearance of a possible cramp, move forward slowly using fins corresponding to your size and adopt a good kick. As in all sports, snorkeling requires sufficient energy resources, depending on the effort made. Indeed, hypoglycemia is often characterized by fatigue or cramps.
BUOYANCY CONTRIBUTION
For children or people less comfortable in the water, a buoyancy aid is always welcome. In addition, it is important to always warm up before each start, as well as to stretch at the end of your session. During the practice of snorkeling, it is often recommended to stay close to the coast in order to avoid any additional problems.
SAFE SNORKELING AND DIVING
Within everyone's reach, snorkeling is an entertaining and natural sport that is practiced in an exceptional environment. As an activity in an environment that is not our natural element, it requires following classic safety rules:
- Do not go snorkeling if you have any ongoing respiratory or cardiovascular issues including but not limited to chest infection, asthma, high/raised blood pressure (hypertension), heart disease or angina etc. If you have any doubts or questions relating to this please check with your medical practitioner.
- Breathing through a snorkel is more demanding than simply swimming. If you feel tired, short of air or dizzy, remove your mask and get out of the water.
- Do not practice alone. Always go snorkeling with a buddy.
- Do keep in mind how far you have swum and keep in mind the currents; the return journey to shore may be exhausting.
- Practicing putting the mask on and taking it off several times before using it could possibly help prevent injuries and deaths.
- Check the state of the sea and the conditions before practicing. Protect yourself from the cold and the sun depending on the conditions.
- And of course, never touch the marine fauna or flora!
- Before you leave, let a loved one know the route you have planned, don't forget to let them know once your adventure is over.