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Cozia Snorkel Guide

THE ULTIMATE SNORKELING GUIDE

C O Z I A D E S I G N h t t p : / / c o z i a d e s i g n . c o m CONT 10 TECHINQUES

ENTS STAY SAFE! 12 HOW TO ESSENTIAL AVOID 3 SNORKELING INJURY 101 READY, 6 STEADY, GO! WHY GOOD 8 GEAR IS ESSENTIAL you don't even need to know how to ESSENTIAL swim. Once you started snorkeling it's really hard to keep away. SNORKELING And that's the beauty of it. 101 Let's start by assuming that if you Want to have a great snorkeling downloaded this ebook, you agree experience? There's a failproof way that taking up snorkeling was one to assure you get the most out of of the best decisions you ever every trip: stay calm. Snorkeling is made. about being relaxed.

There really aren't many activities All you need is: we can think of that involve the ocean, blue sky, sunny days and -the right state of mind the most relaxing, immersive -good equipment experience you can imagine. -a solid plan or a competent guide Snorkeling is almost literally for -friends and family to enjoy the everyone. You don't need skills to experience with start. With the right equipment, 3 Most people for pleasure and relaxation, and the beauties of the underwater world.

With such beauties to behold, it’s no wonder this activity is becoming more and more popular all over the world. There is a certain kind of freedom you can only find in the , that can’t compare to any other activity.

When compared to scuba snorkeling is much more simple and far less expensive. In order to dive you need a license, special training, and equipment. Many experienced divers learned how to dive only after practicing snorkeling.

Besides relaxation and the freedom of the ocean snorkeling offers many health benefits improving both your mental health. SNORKELING HEALTH BENEFITS 1. EASES PAIN

2. IMPROVES BREATHING TECHNIQUES

3. GOOD FOR YOUR HEART

4. IMPROVES JOINT MOBILITY

5. FITNESS FOR YOUR ENTIRE BODY 4 RELAX YOUR MIND FOR THE BEST SNORKELING

This might sound weird but think about it. Why are you planning this snorkeling trip? You want to feel good, enjoy nature, go on an adventure and UNDERWATER, I come back with batteries recharged, right? For all of this, EXPERIENCE you need to leave stress and worries at home. SPACE WITH MY There's something almost BODY. I'LL SEE A therapeutic about being underwater exploring this amazing world of color. You get SCHOOL OF FISH a sense of surreal detachment but at the same time a mental GATHERING AND clarity you feel you can't quite grasp on the surface. MOVING

The best snorkeling trips happen TOGETHER AND when you clear your mind and go in ready to take in the I'LL EXCLAIM, wonders and relax. This is the correct way to interact with 'THIS IS wildlife and make the most of your experience. Stay calm, be a spectator, not an intruder and ARCHITECTURE.' enjoy the experience. Be 100% there.

5 READY, Good snorkel gear is everything and it can make or break your vacation.

STEADY, 2 Plan your vacation ahead of time

The best snorkeling destinations are GO! also the most popular. What this GETTING READY FOR YOUR TRIP means is that you risk having to pay more for plane tickets and accommodation if you plan at the For many people, there isn’t last minute. Try to have everything much of a transition from the plan and at least partially paid at first experience to actually least 3 months before the actual vacation, that way you can actually planning entire vacations around kick back and relax counting the best snorkeling spots. But if you days until you get to try and see if really want to enjoy yourself and your newly trained snorkeling are serious about taking this breathing techniques actually work. experience the next level, there are some things you absolutely 3 Read about best destinations for have to check on your vacation snorkeling list. Everyone knows that Hawaii is a 1 Buy good quality snorkel gear snorkeling paradise, but it might not be the most convenient destination for you. There are a lot of resources This one is pretty self- and lists with top snorkeling explanatory and you probably destinations, if you are patient you already guessed it’s going to be are sure to find something closer or on our list, so let’s get it out of more convenient in terms of overall the way. expenses.

65 4 Interact with the wildlife You need to train your breathing and be absolutely sure you have a The best part of snorkeling is good snorkel mask that is perfectly actually feeling like you are part sealed if you want to free dive. of the world you are discovering. builds up fast as you Gather up the courage to descend and if you push your limits you can get in trouble before you interact with the wildlife but be even realize it’s happening. Take it sure to follow safety guidelines easy, stay safe and set your own and be considerate. reefs pace. are very sensitive for example, so make sure not to disturb the Also, don't forget that snorkeling is wildlife with your presence, best enjoyed with friends and blend in but don’t disrupt. family. Don't go out there alone, share the experience and you will be We'll touch more on this in a happier, and safer for it. later chapter. When you have everything planned ahead you can kick back and relax, 5 Go at your own pace simply enjoy the experience without any added stress. So get those Sure free sounds like a notepads out and start planning for real adventure, and a lot of the best snorkeling vacation you can snorkel pros will tell you that is imagine. the way to do it if you want the complete experience but safety must always come first. 7 WHY GOOD GEAR MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE Having equipment that does not fit correctly, leaks or feels uncomfortable can turn any great vacation into a nightmare. That is why every snorkeler, beginner or advanced, should take into consideration this list of indispensable items before adventuring into open . This being said, it's impractical to buy a full snorkel set before you RENTING EQUIPMENT even decided if you're going to snorkel again. Best advice in terms THE PROS AND CONS equipment for beginners is trying rent equipment for your first two If you are a beginner or just trips and then buying your own. getting into snorkeling you might consider renting equipment rather You have the following advantages: than buying your own. This is not -minimum expense if you decide always a good idea. snorkeling is not for you -you get to try different types of Here's the problem. When you rent equipment equipment you have no control -you travel light as you don't need to over a series of important factors carry your own equipment that affect your level of enjoyment for the trip: When you do rent, make sure you bring an experienced friend along - equipment might be old who can help you identify the - they might not have both types quality equipment. of snorkel masks available (mouthpiece or full face snorkel Take some time to plan ahead and mask) note down a few rental places. - the equipment they have might Check their reviews and call ahead not be the perfect fit of time to make sure they have your - your size might already be taken size and the type of equipment you - equipment could be expensive to are looking for available on the day rent of your trip. 8 SNORKELING 2 Diving Many beginner snorkelers don’t pay GEAR much attention to diving fins, considering it an unnecessary extra. This is wrong. Diving fins provide ESSENTIALS extra propulsion and help you swim better, even when you can’t swim very well. If you are a beginner and 1 Snorkel mask don't want to spend too much on You should purchase your own equipment choose a pair of snorkel mask. Rentals are never a inexpensive fins but make sure they good idea. Most of the time fit just right. snorkelers that rent equipment have a hard time getting it to fit 3 Snorkeling vest right. Even if you are an absolute This item is essential for snorkel and beginner it is best to own your beginners. A snorkeling own equipment. And because you vest will help you stay afloat with are a beginner you should best opt very little effort and it is great for for a full face snorkel mask that beginners that did not develop a will make breathing underwater very good swimming resistance yet. much more comfortable and Good news, it is also cheap. natural. 4 Water resistant sunscreen It is very important to protect your skin while swimming. Regarding the fact that you will most likely spend many hours in sunlight it is best to protect your skin against UVA and UVB rays.

5 Diving Whistle You never know how far you can wander off fascinated by the view and wildlife and that is why we recommend you have with a whistle at all times. A whistle can easily be heard over greater distances and you can blow it for much longer than you can call for help.

9 BREATHING Step 1 Lay down. Your first test and training sessions are best conducted in TECHNIQUES a dry environment. LEARN HOW TO GET BETTER FAST. Step 2 Calm down your breathing and heart rate.

Snorkeling is attractive because Step 3 Breathe in once, deeply and try almost anyone can do it. You to breathe out all the excess air. only need a good snorkel mask that takes care of problems like Step 4 Start your chronometer and learning how to use a mouth breathe in again as deeply as you can piece and you can even do it if and hold your breath. you can’t swim, by using a snorkel vest. Taking snorkeling Step 5 Relax, don’t try to count the seconds you are holding your breath. to the next level though is a It’s best if you manage to completely completely different story. clear your mind. In order to truly enjoy the underwater world and have the Check your stopwatch when you are freedom to explore it, you have done. The time you managed on your to learn to free dive. Free diving first try is the best indications on how means you need to be able to high to set your expectations. hold your breath for long Here is a simple guideline: enough to dive, explore and If you held your breath under 1 minute come back up safe. – you can expect to hold your breath for 3 minutes after at least 4 weeks of Before you even start training serious training. you need to set realistic expectations, and for that you If you held your breath for 1:30 – 2 have to run a test to determine minutes – you can expect to hold your how long you can hold your breath for 4 minutes after at least 4 breath. weeks of serious training.

150 Improving your breathing GET READY FOR YOUR FIRST DIVE technique is all about pacing yourself. Now you are ready to go one step further and submerge. At first lay TRAIN flat in the water on your belly with Use a stopwatch or clock with a your face in the water at a 45-degree angle. second-hand. Snorkeling is not If you own a traditional snorkel set, about competition so there is no gently bite down on the mouthpiece problem if you give up between of the snorkel and seal your lips 20 and 40 seconds. Your body around it. Do not forget to take slow, needs a breath every 3 seconds regular breaths in and out through so you would have skipped the snorkel. between 7 and 13 breaths. If you have a more advanced full Apparently, your body doesn’t face snorkel mask you can really need to breathe all that completely forget about these often. Take 5 deep breaths problems. before you try again. Do this It's important to note that awesome exercise again until you are able as a full face snorkel mask is, they to hold your breath for at least are designed for shallow waters and 50 seconds. casual snorkeling so don't try to dive deep with one. 11 MAKE STAYING SAFE YOUR NO 1 PRIORITY FREQUENT INJURIES AND HOW SAFETY IS TO AVOID THEM Sometimes, no matter how well SOMETHING prepared you are, injuries happen. The best way to deal THAT HAPPENS with safety concerns in snorkeling is prevention, but you BETWEEN YOUR must also be prepared to act fast if problems do appear. Here is a list of injuries you are EARS, NOT probably most at risk for when SOMETHING YOU you go out snorkeling: 1. Cramps HOLD IN YOUR Cramps are a commonly experienced problem among HANDS. snorkelers. If you ever experience a cramp during your swim, position yourself with your head above water. Try to relax your muscles and rest to regain your energy. Most importantly, always let your companions know that you are having problems before it causes you to . This way, they can help you swiftly and effectively

12 2. Injuries caused by marine life -4. Stepping on a sea urchin While diving, always keep in Another frequent snorkeling mind that you are a guest in an injury is accidentally stepping on unknown environment. This spiny creatures. mostly means following a simple The spines can puncture the skin rule “look but do NOT touch”. and break off in your foot. In this Keep your distance from wildlife, situation, the best advice is to go most of it will also avoid contact to the hospital. If you can’t get with you. However, some to the hospital immediately, creatures may fell threatened if place the hurt part of your body you come too close. Most injuries in hot water for at least 30 from underwater creatures are a minutes. Keep the water as hot direct result of unintentionally as you can bare and constantly making yourself look like a top it up as it cools down. threat. 5. 3. sting It’s very easy to forget all about Jellyfish stings are in fact one of time when you are in the water, the most common snorkeling having fun. However, it’s really you may encounter. important to know that Because they are a rather big prolonged exposure to cold problem, we decided to separate water can often cause mild them in the list from common hypothermia. Hypothermia encounters with marine wildlife. appears when the body A sting from a jellyfish can be falls below 95ºF (35º severe and may even scar your C) and can be fatal when the skin. The pain is caused by their core body temperature falls venom which is subsequently below 86ºF (30º C). It’s extremely released when the cell ruptures. important that you are trained to For this reason, it’s important recognize the signs of that you never touch the hypothermia before it becomes affected area. a threat to your safety. If you got stung by a jellyfish avoid rubbing the area and do Seek medical help if the not clean it with mineral or tap following symptoms occur: water, rinse the spot with sea - uncontrolled shivering water instead. Finally, pour - decreased heart rate special jellyfish sting treatment - blue skin complexion or vinegar over the injury and - dilated pupils apply dry powder over the area. - signs of poor judgment Again, remember it is important - confusion and drowsiness that you never touch the - hallucination affected area.

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