How to Carry a Snorkel When Diving

Snorkels allow swimmers to breathe while continuously staring at the fish and coral reefs living beneath the surface of the water. But some divers may want a closer look and decide to dive. While the snorkel loses its function as you swim down from the surface, it will be vital once you rise again. Knowing how to hold your snorkel while diving ensures it'll be ready once you reach open air.

Things You'll Need

  • Dive mask
  • Snorkel
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Instructions

    • 1

      Give a gentle tug on the snorkel to make sure it's firmly hooked onto the diving mask. Check to make sure there aren't any tears in the rubber, which might cause the snorkel to come loose underwater.

    • 2

      Place mask over your head and secure it rather snugly. Place the mouthpiece of the snorkel into your mouth and breathe to make sure it's working properly. Feel to make sure the snorkel tube is angled directly behind your head, so it won't get filled with water when you're swimming on the surface. Scuba divers should test their regulators and make sure their snorkels aren't interfering with the air tube. The snorkels should remain fastened to their masks.

    • 3

      Get in the water. Scuba divers should have their regulators in their mouth. Snorkelers should clear out any water which might have gotten into the snorkel when entering the water. To expel the water, tilt your head back and give a powerful exhale.

    • 4

      Scuba divers breathe through their regulators, while keeping the snorkel attached to their masks. Dive and swim. Only at the surface should they insert the mouthpiece of the snorkel into their mouths. Expel any water with a hard exhale. Snorkelers breathe through the snorkel while surface-swimming, making sure the tube is vertical. When ready to dive, take a few deep breathes, inhaling on the final breath. Dive, but do not breathe through the snorkel. Keep holding your breath until you reach the surface. Tilt your head back and exhale to expel any water in the snorkel.