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| Now that you're comfortably
cruising around on the surface with your
fins,
you've probably found that there are lots of interesting things below you that
deserve a closer look. Here are some tips to make diving down to visit
them easier, more comfortable, and safer. |
Get ready:
- You'll be able to stay underwater longer if you can hold your
breath easily.
- One way to do this is to relax and take three or four (no more!)
deep breaths right before you dive down.
- Start with your body floating flat on the surface of the water.
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Get under: The Pike Dive
- Descending will be easier if you let gravity do the work for you.
Think of the weight of your legs as a big hand pushing you under the
water.
- Use your arms to drive your upper body straight down, and raise
your fins right up in the air.
- You should be clearing your ears right now (see the next section).
- With your fins pointed straight up, gravity will push you under
(with a little boost from your arms).
- Once your feet are under the surface, go ahead and kick to propel
yourself.
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Get your ears clear:
- Ear pain should not be a part of snorkeling.
Once your head is 2-4 feet under the surface (just as your legs start pushing
you down), you must equalize the pressure in your ears and continue to do so
as you descend. If you don't, you risk ear pain, middle ear "squeeze,"
and eardrum rupture.
- The most common technique is called the "Valsalva,"
in which you blow GENTLY against your pinched nose (like you're blowing your
nose into a handkerchief).
- This will force a small amount of air through
your Eustacian tubes and into your middle ear, equalizing them to the pressure
around you.
- If you feel pain, you should stop your descent immediately and
return to the surface.
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Next step: Swimming around underwater. |
