ashenWhile we all have explored the magnificence of places where our feet can take us to a certain extent, not all have witnessed the beauty underwater. Snorkeling and Scuba diving are two of the most popular and delightful ways to fulfill the underwater excitement. Hence we will explore what snorkeling is today. Snorkeling is a collective term consisting of a tube to breathe and a crystal clear plastic face mask to observe marine life. So how does Snorkeling work? Let’s get to know everything about snorkeling and how it allows us to enjoy the wonders of the aquatic world.
How Does Snorkeling Work: Mechanism and Snorkeling Equipment
Although the concept may sound so simple to you after explaining, it is often overlooked by most people. True that there are different designs for snorkels but the way they work are basically the same. As any equipment used in present times, snorkeling too has upgraded over time.
Before proceeding to the different types of snorkels, let’s familiarize ourselves with the piece of equipment. This will help gain a clear understanding of the more advanced snorkels working mechanism. Alright then let’s get to it. Snorkels regardless of type or design possess these components.
The tube connecting the mouthpiece and the exterior environment. And these tubes have evolved from J curves to more comfortably fitting structures around your face.
As you can easily guess, the only function of the tube is to exchange air between your respiratory system and the outer atmosphere while underwater. Now you might be wondering if this tube has to be many meters in length for you to dive deep without breathing issues. Well here’s the constraint with snorkeling. The deepest you can dive is 1.5 to 2 feet deep and it stops there.
The major problem is brought out by the water pressure at a depth of around 2 feet which makes it harder to inhale air from the surface. And each time you exhale, the carbon dioxide isn’t fully dispatched from the tube. Meaning a little volume is accumulated in the tube each time you exhale. This is why there are standards in manufacturing.
Next piece of equipment is the mouthpiece manufactured out of high-quality silicon and can be detached for cleaning purposes. Silicon is durable and more comfortable than natural rubber while being easy to clean. Ergonomics is the main concern when manufacturing these mouthpieces. As you are placing this inside your mouth for quite some time it has to be comfortable.
The last bit of equipment is the piece of face mask. It seals around your eyes and nose and has separate channels to breathe in and out. The silicon structure ensures water resistance, therefore once submerged water will never enter the mask.
Snorkeling mask
This is essential to complete the answer to the question How Does Snorkeling Work. If you think you might have an issue with biting into a piece of plastic for 45 minutes then the full face snorkel mask is the alternative. This particular mask covers your face to chin to eye level. The tube is connected directly to the mask hence no mouthpiece is required as breathing is done using both the mouth and nose.
Another delightful advantage is the enhanced field of vision with the full face mask. Your range of sight is more broader making the experience more entertaining. And you can wear it for almost one and half hours continuously without a hazel.
How Does Snorkeling Work: How do you breathe underwater with a snorkel
This is the actual answer for the question how does snorkeling work. Well of course we are curious to know how this actually works once we are inside water. You can breathe underwater when the snorkel tube is above water level. To gain a better understanding, Let us examine the different categories of snorkels. They have few designs and types with one common mechanism of functioning. Essentially snorkels are given three names based on different techniques. Classic, dry and semi-dry are those. Classic is the fundamental design while the other two are slightly advanced. Regardless of the type of snorkel you prefer there are some facts you need to know prior to snorkeling and to fully understand how snorkeling works.
We mentioned earlier how carbon dioxide accumulates inside the tube over time. To minimize this effect as much as possible, deep breathing is vital to receive sufficient oxygen. Because it maximizes the exchange of air during respiration and keeps the cycle up and running. With that said let’s proceed to the different types of snorkels available. After going through these equipment, you will have a better insight of how snorkeling works.
Classics or J-tubes
This is nothing more but a J-shaped tube with a mouthpiece attached at one end. Adjust the height to fix the mouthpiece without discomfort and then attach it to your mask with the clip provided. Now you are good to go.
However there are a few things to keep in mind. The first is the right height adjustment so that you experience no discomfort and the tube stays above the water level. Since classic snorkels are mostly designed for activities like observing coral reefs and freediving they are lighter than the other two.
Also you will be breathing through your mouth and not the nose. It is fitted to the left side of your face given the nature of the mouthpiece curvature. Classic snorkels are great for beginners until you get to the point of tube cleansing in case of water flooding. That is the only time you will face difficulty as a beginner. Hence knowing to clean the tube correctly beforehand deems appropriate. Apart from this you might also experience jaw fatigue as a total newbie which is natural and one that can be eradicated over time and experience.
Dry
The upgrade with dry snorkels is that it is designed to prevent water from entering the tube. It is done by a piece of equipment called a floatation device and this acts as a one way valve preventing water entering the tube when fully submerged.
Check out the Oceanic Ultra-Dry 2 Snorkel. Oversized purge valve, Drop away flex mouthpiece and the replaceable mouthpiece makes this one of the best selling dry snorkels. Additionally they present a variety of color mixtures to customize such as black/blue, white/pink, black/titanium, white/sea blue.
Dry snorkels are mainly popular among scuba divers and the diving community. The prominent value here is the prevention of swallowing water accidently. Dry snorkels also include a purge valve system in case water enters accidently. The tube is more flexible than that of a classic snorkel.
However dry snorkels too have their own disadvantages. It’s more of a scuba diving issue than snorkeling. The buoyant effect can take place causing drag and making it difficult to move underwater. And due to the force created at the straps there can be a water leakage.
Semi Dry
The reason for calling this “semi” is because of the splash guard in place of the float valve. If by any chance water gets in the tube, the semi dry snorkel has a one-way purge valve that allows you to flush out the water easily. Made out of plastic, it is placed at the top of the tube and the tube too is more flexible. The main benefit here is that you can keep the mouthpiece from getting in your way while diving.
Check out the Atomic SV2 Semi Dry Snorkel below. Streamlined design and sleek profile makes it one of the best recommended semi dry snorkels.
A slight inconvenience with some of the semi dry snorkels is that the splash guard consists of mechanical parts. If too much sand gets in these parts can halt function. Which is where cleaning comes into play. To make cleaning easier it’s wise to choose a semi dry snorkel with a purge valve fixed below the mouthpiece. The cleaning process is made easier as water can be flushed out from the bottom as well as the top.
Semi dry snorkels can be used by newbies and the experienced alike. They come in different designs and sizes and you can choose what best fits you. The flex tube advantage is the reason most people choose semi dry snorkels.
Well there it is, everything about how snorkeling works. The crucial part is understanding how the little pieces work and which suits you best. Still a bit more to cover regarding cleansing so stay tuned.
How to clear a snorkel
Yes we did mention some tips about cleaning the snorkels when we introduced the types. But let’s dig in a bit deeper and elaborate. It just requires experience(practice) like anything else. There are two major methods to clean all types of snorkels.
The first method is so elementary and simple. You just have to puff your lungs out into the mouthpiece once you are out of the water. This will easily blow out all the water inside. It is therefore called the Blast clear method. Doesn’t matter if you have a purge valve or not, this method will suffice to clear the water.
The second method is a bit scientific hence referred to as the displacement method. And it is used with snorkels without a purge valve. The water exits the tube as a combined effort of water pressure change and your exhaling as you reach the surface. All you should do is exhale a little bit of air as you reach the surface and water pressure change does the rest and pushes the water outside.
Summary of How Snorkeling Works
You definitely don’t wanna miss out on a live experience of the wonders of the aquatic world. Therefore make sure to add Snorkeling to your bucket list when planning a trip to a tropical area. Now that you know the answer to the question how does snorkeling work, should you not be intimidated to experience it next time.
We hope we answered the question How Does Snorkeling Work. Once you learn it from a trained professional, you will be astounded by the aquatic beauty lying below the surface of the ocean.
