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