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7 Snorkel Safety Tips For 2023
- Curtis Tredway
- Mar 12, 2023
- 1 min read
Updated: Mar 22, 2023
(@skye254, captured by @curtistredway)
Welcome to the Snorkel Safety Guide by Deep Sensations Freediving. This article is short and sweet, outlining the 7 best tips to keep yourself, your friends and loved ones safe whilst enjoying what the ocean has to offer on your snorkel adventures.
1. Never Dive Alone
This is the number one rule not just in diving, but as snorkelers to. Never dive alone.
There is no scenario where you should be freediving or snorkeling alone. When diving alone there is a massive and unjustifiable increase in risk.
Most freediving and spearfishing accidents revolving shallow water blackouts could have been easily avoided if the divers had a buddy and followed the correct buddy protocols, i.e. 'one up, one down'. One up, one down is when one buddy remains on the surface while the other dives down - this is to ensure the location of the buddy is monitored at all times and in the event of an underwater emergency, the buddy can respond and rescue if need be.
2. Know Your Entry and Exit
Wherever you are diving, always assess where you are entering and exiting the water from, and if you are diving somewhere with a challenging entry/exit, be sure to have a back-up plan incase the swell picks up.
I have had plenty of dives off rock platforms where the swell has picked-up, making exit nearly impossible. With a contingency plan involving an alternate exit point, often swimming around a headland to a bay or boatreamp - you will reduce stress and be able to exit the water safely.
3. Rest Between Dives & Reduce Risk Of Shallow Water Blackout
The risk of shallow water blackout increases significantly when you do not give your body adequate rest between dives.
A good rule of thumb is to give yourself a rest interval on the surface that is 3x your previous dive time. I.e. if you have 1 minute bottom time, give yourself 3 minutes rest on the surface.
This is a very easy rule to follow and will significantly reduce your risk of shallow water blackout whilst freediving.
4. Remove Snorkel Before Diving
You may have heard of a 'Shallow water blackout' before. For those who don't know a shallow water blackout happens when you push your limits on a dive, become hypoxic and black out as you are surfacing and it can even happen once you surface. When you experience a shallow water blackout your body goes into an oxygen-saving mode. Meaning you are in a sleep-like state to ensure oxygen is preserved. Another response that happens is your throat closes - meaning you won't take in any water. However, if you blackout with a snorkel in your mouth, the snorkel will essentially funnel the water down your throat and can cause you to drown.
5. Treat The Ocean Like a Museum
This means LOOK but don't TOUCH! We see it too often from both experienced divers who don't respect the ocean and beginner snorkelers. When in the water it's best to observe the beautiful habitat and not touch any of the corals or marine life. It's not just an act of respect either, it's for the animals safety as well as your own.
6. Equalize Your Ears
As you dive below the surface the pressure (weight of the water) around you increases.
This pressure increase affects your air spaces, predominantly lungs, sinuses, mask and ears.
If you have been in a car, on a plane or tried to dive below the surface in a pool or whilst snorkelling, you would have felt pressure differences in your ears.
if left unmanaged, this pressure builds up and can cause discomfort, pain, and in extreme cases barotrauma.
That is why you need to equalize as you dive, and if you ever feel pain - do not push the dive!
Our Level 1 Freediver courses teach you all the secrets to effective equalization and the methods you learn will get you diving up to 20m, comfortably!
7. Take a Freediving Course!
Our SSI Level 1 Freediver courses are designed for snorkelers, freedivers and spearfishers of all levels. You will learn how to hold your breath longer, how to dive deeper and how to be a safer dive buddy for you, your friends and family.
About Us - Illawarra's Number 1 Freediving School
Deep Sensations Freediving is the Illawarra's first dedicated freediving school and top-rated freediving school.
The school's owner and Head Freediving Instructor, Curtis Tredway is a very experienced and highly trained waterman.
Having spearfished since he was 14, worked at a surf school, received his SSI Stress and Rescue Diver certification at 21 and worked as a Divemaster in one of Indonesia's most notorious diving locations due to the strong currents, and now he is one of the South Coast's deepest freedivers and freediving instructor. Having trained with some of the best coaches in the world. Curtis knows a thing or two about staying safe in the ocean and keeping those that he is responsible for safe as well.
These are some of his tips to keep you and your loved ones safe.
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