The following are detailed precautions for the use of a snorkel while diving:
Inspection of diving mask
Appearance check: carefully check whether the lenses have scratches, cracks or wear, if the lenses are broken, they may fall off underwater, affecting vision and jeopardizing safety, and need to be replaced in time. Check whether the anti-fog coating of the lenses is intact, if damaged it may affect the clarity of vision.
Air tightness check: fill the diving mask with water and then invert them to see if there is any water overflow, if the water surface has a tendency to fall or air leakage phenomenon, it means that the sealing performance of the diving mask is not good, which may be due to the aging of the mask, damaged or incorrectly installed, and need to be repaired or replaced before use.
Component check: Check whether the nose clip, earplugs and other accessories of the diving mask are firm, and whether there is any damage or loss. Pull the headband to check whether its elasticity is good and whether it can be adjusted freely.
Fit check: put the uninflated mask on your face, hold your breath and release your hands, if the mask can fit your face tightly without air leakage, it means the fit is good, on the contrary, it needs to be adjusted or replaced.
Wearing of diving mask
Adjust the headband: Adjust the headband of the mask to the right length, in order to be able to just fix the mask on the face and do not produce a sense of pressure is appropriate, too tight will lead to discomfort in the face, and even lead to headaches, too loose may make the mask in the process of diving off or into the water.
Nosepiece Adjustment: Adjust the position and angle of the nosepiece according to the shape of your face, so that the nosepiece fits closely to your nose, preventing water from seeping in around the nose, and also improving the comfort of wearing the mask.
Proper Wearing: Brush your hair back first to avoid water ingress due to hair getting caught between the mask and your face. Pull the mask's headband behind your head, and with both hands, slip the lower edge of the mask over your head from the chin upwards, taking care not to get hair or clothing caught between the mask and your face, which could affect the seal.
Diving Depth
Follow the depth limits: for the average recreational diver, it is usually recommended to dive no deeper than 30 meters and never deeper than 39 meters. As the depth increases, so does the water pressure and the risk of diving rises, e.g. the probability of diving diseases such as nitrogen intoxication and decompression sickness increases.
Pay attention to the effect of depth changes on the mask: During the dive and during the ascent, pay special attention to the pressure changes that the mask may be subjected to. Although professional scuba diving goggle lenses are made of pressure-resistant tempered glass, care still needs to be taken in deep water to avoid violent impacts or improper use that may cause the lenses to break.
Tools to use in conjunction
Snorkel: When snorkeling at the surface, a snorkel is an essential tool that allows the diver to breathe normally without having to lift his head out of the water, saving energy and making it easier to observe the underwater world. The top of the snorkel should have an anti-wave device to prevent seawater from entering the tube, and the mouthpiece should be comfortable to avoid jaw fatigue caused by prolonged use.
FOOT FLIPPERS: The flippers can provide strong propulsion for divers, making swimming easier and more comfortable, saving energy, as well as increasing the speed of the dive and facilitating the exploration of a wider underwater area. When wearing them, make sure the flippers are the right size, too big will affect flexibility, too small will not be able to fully utilize them.
Buoyancy compensating devices: such as life jackets and buoyancy undershirts can help divers maintain their buoyancy balance in the water, reduce physical exertion and increase safety. In the need to stop to observe or rest, it can prevent divers from sinking, especially in the deep dive or large current area, the role of buoyancy compensation device is more important.
Diving computer watch: can real-time monitoring of diving depth, time, ascent speed and other important data, to help divers better grasp their own dive status, to avoid over-diving or rapid ascent caused by the danger. Diving through the computer table, can also plan the dive route and time, to ensure that the diving activities in the safe range.
Water Temperature
Choose the right material for your mask: When diving in colder waters, choose mask with good thermal properties, such as masks made of neoprene, which provide a certain degree of insulation, reduce heat loss and protect the skin on your face from cold irritation.
Pay attention to the fogging problem of the lens: in the case of a large temperature difference, the lens of the diving goggle is prone to fogging, affecting the line of sight. You can prevent fogging by applying a professional anti-fogging agent on the lenses before diving or using saliva to apply and rinse it off. Also, avoid taking off and putting on your mask too often during the dive to prevent the lenses from fogging up again due to the temperature difference.
Geographic location for diving
Understanding the water environment: The water environment varies greatly from one geographic location to another, so you need to be well informed before diving. If you are diving in a coral reef area, you should pay special attention to protect the coral, avoid touching and scraping the coral reef to avoid damage to the coral, and also to prevent the coral from scratching your mask or body.
Consider currents and tides: The speed and direction of currents and changes in tides can have a significant impact on dive safety and experience. Diving in areas with strong currents requires appropriate skills and experience, and the use of appropriate equipment to maintain stability and directional control to prevent being swept away by the current or swept into dangerous areas. Local currents and tides should be known well in advance of the dive and a suitable time of year should be chosen for the dive.
Pay attention to the weather and sea conditions: bad weather and sea conditions can bring great risks to diving and should be avoided when there are storms, high winds and big waves. Even if there is a sudden change in the weather during the dive, you should abort the dive in time to ensure safety.
Precautions after disembarkation
Cleaning and Maintenance: Rinse your diving mask with fresh water to remove salt, sand and other impurities, then dry them with a soft cloth or cotton paper to avoid scratches on the lenses. If anti-fogging agents or cleaners are used, make sure they are rinsed well to avoid corrosion of the lenses or rubber parts by residual substances.
Inspection and Repair: Carefully inspect the diving mask for any signs of damage or aging, such as whether the rubber pads are deformed, whether the headband has lost its elasticity, and whether the lenses are scratched. Repair or replace parts promptly for any problems found to ensure the performance and safety of the mask.
Storage: Store the diving mask in a cool, dry and ventilated place, avoiding direct sunlight and high-temperature environments, so as not to accelerate the aging of rubber parts. It is best to put it into a special protective box and place desiccant inside the box to prevent moisture and mold.
WAVE China offers a wide range of diving masks, contact us if you need.