How to Breathe Through a Snorkel

A snorkel is a plastic tube that allows a swimmer to breathe air while his head is below the surface of the water. Snorkels are often used by swimmers to view underwater sea life, such as colorful marine fish and sea turtles. Snorkels are used by scuba divers when they are near the surface and do not wish to use any of their oxygen tank. Learning how to breathe through a snorkel is relatively easy, and you should be able to start using it after just a few moments of practice.

Instructions

    • 1

      Walk into waist-deep water. Rub some saliva on the inside part of your diving mask to prevent it from fogging.

    • 2

      Slide the snorkel into the snorkel strap located on the side of the diving mask. Adjust the snorkel so that it is not too high or too low for your comfort.

    • 3

      Place the mouthpiece of the snorkel all the way into your mouth. Do not bite down hard on the mouthpiece, just let your teeth rest in place against the rubber. Biting down hard on the mouthpiece can give you a sore jaw after just a few minutes.

    • 4

      Breathe through the snorkel several times with your head still above water.

    • 5

      Lower yourself slowly into the water until you are floating horizontally, facedown. Breathe slowly through the snorkel as you did above water.

    • 6

      Clear a flooded snorkel (especially if you dive completely beneath the surface) by exhaling a burst of air from your lungs. Shouting the word "two" while you exhale should give you enough force to clear all the water from the snorkel. Take a shallow breath after clearing the snorkel to make sure the water is completely gone, then continue breathing normally.