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Do Wetsuits Keep You Dry – The Ultimate Guide

EQUIPMENT

DTS Contributor

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Do Wetsuits Keep You Dry – The Ultimate Guide

Wetsuits are very common when embarking on a water adventure. Whether it’s swimming, surfing, snorkeling, freediving, scuba diving, wetsuits are an essential piece of gear! Wetsuits are designed to keep you warm. But how does a wetsuit work, and do wetsuits keep you dry?

Let’s take a look in our Ultimate Guide to Wetsuits.

Table of contents

Do Wetsuits Keep You Dry
What is a Wetsuit?
How Does a Wetsuit Work?
1. Mens Womens 3mm Shorty Wetsuit
2. SCUBAPRO Men’s Everflex Steamer 3/2mm Wetsuit
What is a Wetsuit Made of?
Why Wear a Wetsuit?
How to Wear a Wetsuit?
How Tight should a Wetsuit be?
Do Wetsuits Stretch when Wet?
The Lowdown

Do Wetsuits Keep You Dry

The truth? Wetsuits actually get you wet and keep you wet. Whereas, a drysuit will keep you dry.

Read More: How a Drysuit Work?

Wetsuits keep the wearer warmer for longer by design, as we lose body heat about 20 times faster than on the surface.

What is a Wetsuit?

Wetsuits come in many types, full bodysuits, vests, tops, and bottom pieces. These pieces can even be layered. A wetsuit’s main feature is its ability to keep you warmer for longer.

It can also help protect from stinging organisms, exposure to harmful UV sun rays, abrasions such as rocks, coral, or artificial reefs, and also provide additional buoyancy.

Read More: Our Favorite Reef-Safe Sunscreens!

How Does a Wetsuit Work?

A wetsuit works by allowing some water into the suit. Your body heats that water with your body heat. The wetsuit, in turn, traps this water, keeping you warm. This will keep you warmer. However, the suit needs to be fairly tight to reduce the amount of water coming in and out. A wetsuit also works because of its insulating material.

Learn more in What Does a Wetsuit Do?

Mens Womens 3mm Shorty Wetsuit

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SCUBAPRO Men’s Everflex Steamer 3/2mm Wetsuit

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What is a Wetsuit Made of?

Neoprene

Neoprene is a synthetic rubber material that is flexible, stretchy and buoyant and therefore a common choice for wetsuits. It will contain small bubbles of nitrogen gas which has very limited thermal conductivity. This layer insulates the heated up water to the outside water. You can get neoprene from 0.5mm to 8mm in thickness, and the thicker the neoprene, the better it will insulate. The colder the water, the thicker the suit should be.

Thermoplastic

Also known as Thermoskin, this material is a strong, heat-reflective wetsuit material. It also blocks wind and yet breathes, so it is very useful during a surface interval and favoured by surfers and swimmers due to its wind protection properties.

Spandex or Lycra

These are very stretchy synthetic materials that are popular in the seams of wetsuits. Wetsuits made of full spandex will not retain heat as well as neoprene. They come in some crazy colors and patterns and are therefore a great add-on to your wetsuit for some individuality.

Titanium

If you can believe it, we now have titanium wetsuits on the market. Titanium works best, however, when paired with neoprene. Its slick material makes it easier to get in and out of a wetsuit. It also dries quickly so when you put on the wetsuit for the 2nd dive, you initially will feel warmer. Titanium material also seals better against your skin so it will reduce water flow in and out of your suit.

Why Wear a Wetsuit?

So if we’re wondering do wetsuits keep you dry, and we know it doesn’t, then why would we wear a wetsuit?

That’s because wetsuits can range in thickness, from 0.5mm to a thick 8mm. This makes wetsuits very versatile and they can be used in many different temperatures and conditions.

If you are in a tropical country, diving in Indonesia or diving in the Caribbean, you will probably be comfortable with a 3mm short wetsuit. These are perfect for temperatures around 25°C/77°F and above.

If you are diving in sightly cooler water temperatures, such as in Melbourne, with 17°C/62°F, then you will feel more comfortable in a thicker, full-length wetsuit of 5mm to 8mm.

Wetsuits can also be layered up, which might mean wearing a 5mm vest with a full 7mm wetsuit creating a warm and toasty, but slightly awkward 12mm.

If you are diving in even colder temperatures, such as diving in Norway, then we would recommend wearing a drysuit for your water adventures.

drysuit diver in norway — Diving in Norway definitely requires a drysuit to keep you dry from the icy waters. Photo courtesy of Thomas

How to Wear a Wetsuit?

A wetsuit can be difficult to put on and take off. This is because wetsuits need to be snug and well-fitted in order to work properly.

The general rule when figuring out how to wear a wetsuit is that you should be dry and the wetsuit is also dry when putting it on. Or, you are wet, and the wetsuit is slightly wet too.

You can also wear a skin suit or rash guard under a wetsuit. This will make it easier for the wetsuit to slide on and off.

Read More: Do Rash Guards Keep You Warm?

Another top tip for putting on a wetsuit is using a plastic bag! Horrible for the environment we know, but if you have a spare bag, rather than throwing it away, try reusing it to help you wear a wetsuit! Put the plastic bag over your foot and slide the wetsuit over your leg. Pull the plastic bag out and repeat for your other foot. The plastic allows the wetsuit to slide over your foot easily.

How Tight should a Wetsuit be?

A wetsuit should fit snug, but not too tight. It should be close-fitting around the neck and cuffs (wrists and ankles) so that the insulating warm water is retained in the suit. The wetsuit should feel similar to a ‘second-skin,’ sleek and close to the skin.

If the wetsuit is too tight, it can put too much stress on the seams and rip around the underarms and lower back. You will also struggle to move your arms and legs. A wetsuit that is too tight could also cause your blood circulation to cut off, which is very dangerous.

However, you also do not want a loose wetsuit. A wetsuit that is baggy or loose will not keep an insulating layer around you. The water will be flowing in and out of your suit, and you will not feel warm. A loose wetsuit will also cause drag underwater, and be cumbersome on the surface.

Do Wetsuits Stretch when Wet?

Wetsuits will stretch and conform to your body. Higher quality neoprene tends to be stronger and will stretch more as this makes it more comfortable to wear and for ease of movement. However, wetsuits do not stretch more when wet, but the fabric will loosen up which will give you more flexibility. Dry neoprene can stick and become rigid.

The Lowdown

So do wetsuits keep you dry? Nope, they do not. Wetsuits keep you wet. It will keep you warm by limiting the amount of water coming in and out of your suit, and the water in your wetsuit will be warm from your body heat. Because there are so many variations and thicknesses of wetsuits make sure you consider comfort, temperature, and conditions. A wetsuit is an essential piece of equipment for any water activity!

Which Ocean is the Warmest?

OCEAN

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Our oceans make up a staggering 71% of the planet’s surface. Despite how much we have learned about the oceans through exploration and advances in technology, scientists estimate that there is still up to 95% that is unexplored; we seem to know more about deep space than the deep sea. In this article, we explore which ocean is the warmest, what affects the ocean’s temperature, and why it has such an appeal to us divers!

Which Ocean is the Warmest?

If you take a look at a world map and trace your finger along the equator, it will come as no surprise that the warmest ocean is the Indian Ocean.

The majority of its waters lie within the tropics, and surface temperatures rarely fall below a balmy 22℃! Thanks to its temperate ocean climate, the Indian Ocean is home to some of the most spectacular and serene underwater scenes. Giant, colorful coral reefs provide shelter and sustenance to myriads of fish, anemones, crustaceans, and sharks; while migratory whales seek the warm ocean currents to breed and nurse their young.

The Indian Ocean is littered with thousands of islands, and this abundance of ocean life has sustained its inhabitants for thousands of years.

Find out why most people choose a rash guard when swimming in warm and tropical temperatures.

What is interesting though, is that since the Indian Ocean is the warmest, there is limited marine life in this region due to the higher water temperature.

How Does the Ocean Warm Up?

All of the oceans are warmed by the sun’s radiation. Water has a higher heat capacity than air, meaning that it takes longer to heat up but retains heat for much longer than air does.

The surface layers of the ocean capture the sun’s energy and store it. Due to the angle of the sun at the equator versus the poles, the oceans along the equator will receive much more of the sun’s energy than the Arctic or Southern oceans, making them warmer overall.

This temperature difference varies as the seasons do and is even more exaggerated in the winter – with each pole receiving even less of the sun’s energy in the cold, dark months.

Only the first few feet of the ocean’s surface absorb the sun’s energy. This gives rise to a temperature gradient as depth and pressure increase. But it is not only depth which defines ocean temperatures; currents also play a huge role in temperature variations and are largely responsible for sculpting our oceans’ ecosystems as they exist today.

How do Currents Affect Ocean Temperature?

There are many currents which transport warm and cold water alike, and many factors which determine these currents: the earth’s rotation, the moon’s gravity, wind, salinity, depth contours and coastlines to name a few. One of the most well-known and widely studied ocean currents is the Gulf Stream.

It begins in the warm Caribbean Sea and flows all the way past North America, across the North Atlantic Ocean to western Europe, terminating in the Arctic Ocean. The warm water current forces the colder, denser water at its destination to sink, and flow southwards – completing the giant loop of flowing warm and cold water in the North Atlantic. This is just one example of five gigantic ocean “gyres”.

The remaining four are located in the Indian Ocean, North and South Pacific Oceans and the South Atlantic Ocean. Each gyre is a powerful, circular flow which spans thousands of miles, pushing great volumes of water clockwise (northern hemisphere) or counter-clockwise (southern hemisphere). These essential currents keep our ecosystems in balance and are vital for all life on earth as we know it.

Wetsuits are perfect when the ocean temperature drops. Find out how they keep you warm even in a cold current!

What are Ocean Thermoclines?

A more local manifestation of currents is known as a thermocline. If you have ever been on a dive and noticed an immediate change of temperature below a certain depth, it is likely that you have experienced one. Thermoclines in the ocean are generally caused by an upwelling of colder water as it meets a warmer surface layer. The resulting temperature change can be quite drastic – a few degrees Celsius – and can often look like a wall of shimmering glass, as light is refracted differently at the boundary between the two contrasting currents.

Use this handy wetsuit temperature guide before you get into the ocean.

Which Ocean is the Coldest?

Contrary to what you might think, the Arctic Ocean is actually the coldest ocean; even though the Southern Ocean surrounds the frozen continent of Antarctica. The average surface temperature in the Arctic is an astonishing -1.8C (28.6F) – just above the freezing temperature for saltwater. Despite their uninviting temperatures, cold water environments are far from barren and desolate. Many whales, seals and fish thrive here – even cold water corals, too. Each is specially adapted to survive in extreme cold, just as warm water species are adapted for their climate.

The different between ‘Ocean’ and ‘Sea’

“Ocean” and “sea” are often used interchangeably. Perhaps this is due to historic tales of intrepid explorers, roaming the “Seven Seas” in search of new lands and fabled riches. Today, however, there is an accepted distinction between the two.

Our one world Ocean is divided into five regional oceans: The Antarctic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic and Southern. Each one lies between at least two continents; each with its own distinct characteristics.

“Seas” are smaller bodies of water which lie within an ocean, bordering a land mass. For instance, the Bali Sea, Flores Sea and Savu Sea all lie within the Indian Ocean, but are separated by the various island coastlines of Indonesia. More SCUBA diving takes place in seas as opposed to the open ocean. Dive sites are more accessible, and their waters are better protected against storms and large swells; but still benefit from a huge diversity of marine life and underwater landscapes to explore.

There is an unending bounty of life and landscapes in our oceans. As we learn more of the wonders that lie beneath the surface, we learn more of the fragility and intricacy of our world’s ecosystems. Divers play a huge role in this unfolding discovery as citizen scientists, photographers and storytellers who inspire others about our oceans and all that they hold. Whether a faithful warm or cold water diver – or a mixture of the two – there is no doubt that you have an endless ocean of wonders to explore.

The Lure of the Ocean

Personally, I prefer knowing which ocean is the warmest to choose a more comfortable dive temperature. And while every portion of the ocean is different, each part attracts intrepid divers to take the plunge and discover what lies beneath. Whether warm water, cold water, coral reef, or shipwreck; there is a whole world of beauty under the ocean’s surface which we have only just begun to understand.

Maximum Age for Scuba Diving

DIVE

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In recent years scuba diving has become more and more popular with younger and older divers, due to its accessibility and interest. According to the Diver’s Alert Network (DAN), older divers are defined as those who are over the age of 50. There is no maximum age for scuba diving, but whether the person is physically able and confident to dive. This question would also apply to someone in their 20s! I personally work with a Dive Master who is in his mid-50s who works full-time, and I’ve had many Open Water diving students who were over 50 years of age.

Maximum Age for Scuba Diving

There is no maximum age for scuba diving or an upper age limit for scuba diving. But there are things to consider when you are an older diver. Let’s have a look at some of the factors that will affect older divers.

Experienced Older Divers

There are many certified divers who are now considered ‘older divers’. This is because scuba diving became very popular 30 to 40 years ago, which means those who started diving then are most likely still diving now. We also know that the growing older population are typically wealthier and more active in their travels and hobbies.

In the past, scuba diving was not as regulated, with fewer rules, and riskier diving. Older divers who are already certified often are more experienced divers too. They have probably dived in different countries, in various conditions over the years. They’ve usually seen it all. However, they may have picked up bad diving habits, or have never used scuba diving equipment that we currently use.

As safety regulations have increased over the years, we have had to deal with divers who might have no previous regard for rules or safety. For example, in my workplace, an older fun diver who was only certified to 30 meters, claimed that they had been down to 60 meters on one tank of air, with no additional safety equipment and wanted us to offer them the same experience! Or divers who want to go inside the shipwreck without holding a wreck certification. Many times these are the divers who will argue with us just because they are not used to being told to dive within their dive limits!

Check out some of the things ALL divers should do for their own safety.

Am I Too Old to Scuba Dive?

As a scuba instructor, I have taught scuba diving to quite a few people in their 50s, 60s, and one, in her 70s! We never discriminate on age, in fact, we encourage it. I personally think it is very cool for people to learn something so new and different at a later age. However, there is a belief that an older diver is generally harder to teach than a younger diver – though there are definitely exceptions to this! This is because it has been reported that it is harder to learn new skills and retain new information in older brains. Seriously, even teaching children compared to 20-year-olds is easy, as the children’s brains are like sponges, ready to take in new information and master new skills!

This is not to say that all older people are difficult to teach new skills. It’s just that it may take longer. For example, you may need to repeat a skill several times before the older diver feels comfortable with it. I’ve also found that older people will have more fear. And this fear can immobilise people underwater, which means you need to coax them out of it. They may tend to overthink and consider the rare but worst possibilities. 20 year olds backpacking on their first solo trip don’t have that fear compared to people in their 50s.

The only thing you would need to really ask when considering if there is a maximum age for scuba diving or if you are too old to scuba dive is your medical history and physical fitness.

Medical

Working at dive centers or being an independent dive instructor, we will always ask new students to fill out the appropriate scuba diving medical form. This is regardless of age, weight, physical capabilities, nationality, etc. EVERYONE must fill out a medical form.

In this form, we ask about your previous medical history; lung diseases, asthma, any sinus surgeries, sea-sickness, etc. This is so we have the right information and know that you are healthy enough to scuba dive. There is a small section dedicated to people who are over 45 years old with questions about smoking, any family history with heart attacks etc. and this is because older divers do have a higher risk of heart and lung issues, regardless of being underwater or not.

If you answer a YES to any of the questions in the medical, we will need a dive doctor to sign this off before allowing you to scuba dive. The doctor may sign you off if they determine something is of minimal risk, for example, if you have mild seasickness. Or refer you to a specialist who can conduct tests on you for more serious issues such as lung disease or current asthma which can seriously deter your ability to breathe compressed air.

The dive medical is not scary at all and is needed before you proceed with scuba diving. This is to ensure your diving insurance is valid (you should always carry dive insurance!) and that the dive center is aware of any prior medical history that could impact your diving.

Another factor to consider when going scuba diving – again, regardless of your age is your physical ability.

Physical

Physical ability does not mean that you have to be physically capable. We have had a few divers who use prosthetic legs on-land and divers who were in wheelchairs. These divers had to adapt using different techniques in order to dive, and we as instructors, have had to teach a bit differently. But it is doable.

When we assess if someone can physically dive, we are looking at their health (one of the questions in the PADI dive medical form is whether you have the “Inability to perform moderate exercise (example: walk 1.6 km/one mile within 12 mins.)?” This is because scuba diving does require some physical exercise.

The scuba tank is heavy and cumbersome on-land and on the surface. This can cause difficulty for people who cannot perform moderate exercise. We also need to make sure that a diver can perform the skills that are required in a scuba diving course; eg. Being able to remove and replace a regulator back into your mouth, being able to clear a scuba mask of water, remove a weight-belt etc.

In your Open Water certification, there is also a swim test. This is not timed, but you will need to swim continuously for a certain length. This requires physical stamina and a strong heart and lungs; essential factors to consider when scuba diving.

Notable Older Divers Diving After 50

As there is no maximum age for scuba diving, let’s have a look at some notable divers who were older.

The founder of modern diving, Jacques Cousteau was still diving into his 80s.
My personal hero, Sylvia Earle, a marine biologist and explorer in her 80s, who is featured in the documentary “Mission Blue.”
Jill Heinerth, a Canadian cave diver who was the first person to dive the ice caves of Antarctica who is now in her 50s and still diving.

What Age to Stop Diving?

We know there is no maximum age for scuba diving, and there is no particular age when you should stop diving. However, there are some considerations you need to know as an older diver. These things to consider will be dependent on your health and mind, rather than your physical age.

Eyesight

Your eyesight may deteriorate as you age. This can affect your diving as you may not be able to read your depth gauge, air gauge, or dive computer.

Solution: Use large faced gauges or consoles which are easier to read. You can get a dive computer with large and bright screens. If you are struggling to see your consoles, then mention this to your buddy or dive guide in the briefing and they can check these for you during the dive.

Standard Scuba Tank Submersible Pressure Gauge — Get a large-faced SPG so it is easier to read underwater.

Physical

As you get older there may be physical things that can get harder or are more difficult to do. You may struggle lifting your tank, or can’t bend over to grab your weights.

Solution: Buddies and dive guides are always here to help you. If you are struggling with something, there will be someone to assist you. Just ask!

New Concepts

New equipment, new safety regulations, and new diving theory that you need to learn. All of these things can be confusing and slightly overwhelming if you are older (or younger!).

Solution: Find a patient instructor or dive buddy who can go at your pace. You do not need to rush anything or try to keep up with other people in your group.

Getting Older

We are all aging, but as we get older, we need to understand that some things will change and the abilities we once had, may change and impact our everyday lives. Your hips and joints will be stiffer. Your rheumatoid arthritis may flare up increasing your risk of arterial gas embolism, or more.

Solution: Reassess your own capabilities before every dive. If you have had a major medical or physical change then you should visit a Dive Medic/Doctor to be reassessed before you scuba dive. DAN recommends “divers over 45 years of age should get a medical examination once a year – at a minimum.”

The Takeaway

So there is no maximum age for scuba diving but there will be some considerations to follow if you are an older diver. Do not feel the need to rush or try to keep up with younger divers. On the other hand, try to learn from other divers (young or old) and realize that even if you have been diving for decades, that there are new habits and concepts to learn. After all, diving should be fun and most importantly, safe for everyone!

The Difference between Snorkeling and Scuba Diving

DTS Contributor

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71% of Earth is covered by water, which means there is a lot to explore! So if you ready to take the plunge into the water world, let’s look at the difference between snorkeling and scuba diving, and why you might choose one over the other, or why you should do both!

Difference between Snorkeling and Scuba Diving

Equipment Differences

Equipment for Snorkeling

You will use a snorkeling mask to see underwater. This will include a nose pocket, which makes it different from swimming goggles. The nose pocket allows you to equalize if you decide to ‘duck dive’ down underwater.
You will also use a snorkel, which is a tube with a mouthpiece on it. The mouthpiece goes into your mouth, allowing you to breathe the air from the other end of the tube. You will need to make sure the end of the tube is sticking out of the water so you can get air!
You may also use fins (flippers) on your feet. This allows you to swim more efficiently which means you use less energy, allowing you to snorkel and swim for longer!

Equipment for Scuba Diving

We won’t go too much in-depth about the equipment for scuba diving. But you will use the following:

A diving mask – This should be able to withstand the pressure of the water. The mask will also have a nose pocket so you can equalize as you descend.
BCD (A buoyancy control device) – This will look like a jacket or a ‘wing’ that can inflate and hold air.
A regulator – This will have several hoses, which will have mouthpieces to deliver air from your tank, a gauge to see how much air is left in your tank, and a depth gauge.
A scuba tank or cylinder – This contains your air.
Fins – This will allow you to swim efficiently underwater!

Breathing Differences

When you are snorkeling you will be floating on top of the water, looking down. You can keep your face submerged without lifting it up as you will be using the snorkel tube to continue breathing.

When you are scuba diving, you will fully submerge your whole body. This means you will be using the air tank/cylinder to breath. You will need to keep an eye on your gauge to make sure you return back to the surface before running out of air!

Depth Differences

Snorkeling is mostly on the surface of the water but you might want to check something out underwater and swim down. Most people can comfortably swim down to around 2 meters / 6.5 feet before coming back up.

Scuba diving allows you to explore much greater depths. The Discover Scuba Dive depth limit is 12 meters / 40 feet, and the certification depth limits can go down to a recreational limit of 40 meters / 130 feet!

Time Differences

If you are comfortable with snorkeling, you may want to try a ‘duck dive’ which means swimming down under the surface. For this, you will need to hold your breath as the snorkel tube will also be underwater. Most people can hold their breath for an average of 1 minute. This means you will need to swim back up to the surface to clear your snorkel and take a breath of air.

When you are scuba diving, your supply of air is on your back, attached to a hose with a mouthpiece. This means you can continuously breathe, as you should never hold your breath when scuba diving. Depending on how fast you breathe and your lung’s capacity, you could potentially have an hour-long dive.

Experience Differences

Snorkeling is highly accessible for anyone who is comfortable with the water. Check out if you need to know how to swim to snorkel. This means you do not need a guide or much experience to start snorkeling.

Scuba diving, on the other hand, requires you to go with a scuba diving instructor for your first few dives. This can be an introduction dive, or getting your certification. Whatever the dive, you will need to go with a professional who will teach you about the equipment, the basic skills required for scuba diving, and the safety procedures.

Safety and Risk Differences

With any water activity, there are the usual risks such as; boat traffic, getting drifted out to sea by a current or riptide, drowning, jellyfish and marine life stings, bites, etc. Snorkeling will have similar risks to swimming however, scuba diving will carry more risks

When you are breathing compressed air while scuba diving, there are more risks involved. These include;

Decompression Sickness from nitrogen forming bubbles in your body
Oxygen Toxicity when the oxygen’s partial pressure is too high
Gas Narcosis which may cause you to act overly confident
Lung Over Expansion injuries which is caused by ascending and holding your breath

The Takeaway

Snorkeling and scuba diving are very fun activities that both take place in the water. However, there is a difference between snorkeling and scuba diving as we can see. As a scuba diver, I much prefer scuba diving and immersing myself completely in the underwater world. However, I can see the benefits of snorkeling, especially if you are new to the water world. Snorkeling and scuba diving go hand-in-hand, and snorkeling can be a wonderful introduction to scuba diving. Just take the plunge and give them a go!

Learn How to Snorkel Underwater

SNORKEL + FREEDIVE

Lionel Kobi - PADI MSDT

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Article Updated 21 Aug 2022

One of my friends always refers to snorkeling, particularly duck diving as the “graceful entry into the underwater world”. I think this accurately describes snorkeling.

To explore the ocean, let’s see them as phases or steps. Snorkeling on the surface of the water is Phase One. Once you learn how to snorkel underwater or how to duck dive underwater, this is Phase Two. Phase Three is freediving or even scuba diving. Some people might be worried that it is too hard to learn how to scuba dive and begin with snorkeling.

Learn about the main differences between snorkeling and scuba diving.

How to Snorkel Underwater

First you need to master snorkeling on the surface and feel very comfortable in water too deep to stand up in. You can still use a floatation device or a BCD (Buoyancy Control Device) or life jacket, however should not be dependent on these devices.

Second you need to have good airway control skills. Snorkels are known to leak water through the ill-fitted mouthpieces, peculiar angles or even waves that splash into the top of the tube. Being able to passively manage your airway and not swallow water is key to becoming comfortable while snorkeling.

SwimStar Snorkel Set

100% dry snorkel. This safety feature is great for swimming in choppy waters or for inexperienced snorkelers. A large purge valve also makes clearing this snorkel easy.

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Airway Control

As mentioned above, snorkels do tend to constantly have residual water in the mouthpiece. Even semi-dry and dry snorkels can leak via the mouthpiece itself. Knowing how to snorkel without swallowing water is important when first learning how to snorkel. When snorkeling you should always try to control each breath.

Airway Control Tips

Try to find a nice slow rhythm of breathing.
Whenever you breathe in, do so cautiously, expecting there to be some water to breathe past.
Always keep enough air to be able to clear the snorkel.
Use your tongue as a splash guard. This way if you breathe some water in, your tongue prevents it from reaching your throat.
Be aware that your tube remains above water. Keeping your mask just underwater and letting waves move you up and down.

Breath-hold Dive

Snorkels do not work underwater! Yes, believe it or not. In order to snorkel underwater, you need to take a breath on the surface and hold that breath. Then you are able to dive down and snorkel underwater.

Read More: How does a Snorkel work?

It is easier to sink down if you exhale. The air in your lungs gives you quite a lot of buoyancy, making it hard to sink. However, learning how to snorkel underwater properly, requires you to learn how to duck dive while holding your breath.

Do not hyperventilate before diving down! What you can do is take a few nice and deep breaths in and out. Then make sure you take a really deep breath in. The best way to describe this is to start filling your body with air from your stomach up. Imagine you are inhaling into your belly, up your spine, into your lungs, up your trachea even your mouth all the way up. Now you are ready to dive.

How to Duck Dive Snorkeling

Now your lungs are full of air. It is time to relax your body. Less motion equals less energy and therefore a longer underwater exploration. On the surface, you should first angle your body at the hips, reaching down with your arms. Similar to an ‘L’ shape. You can then do one strong breaststroke with your arms, pulling yourself down which should then pull your legs underwater. Once fully submerged, you can now you can use your legs to kick and go further down. A frog kick works better without fins and a flutter kick works better with fins.

Remember to only move when you have to. Try to relax and look around, focusing on what you see. When you start to feel short on breath, look up, and ascend. The air in your lungs can help pull you back up to the surface, not too much swimming is required here.

Pro Tip: Never duck dive or even snorkel on your own. You should always have a buddy. One of you stays on the surface, one of you can dive down.

Below is the trailer for Jago: A Life Underwater, an incredible film about life underwater.

Equalizing

Whenever we descend underwater, static water pressure pushes against our eardrums. Interestingly this pressure changes more rapidly in shallow water, meaning it is felt more intensely at shallow depths. If you plan on conducting multiple duck dives during your snorkeling session, you need to make sure you properly equalize your ears.

You will use some of your available air for the dive to equalize your ears, sinuses, and mask. There are several ways to equalize your ears. The easiest way is the Valsalva maneuver, blowing gently against pinched nostrils. This equalizes the pressure, preventing pain in your ears and sinuses. You need to exhale through your nose in order to equalize your mask.

However, the Toynbee Maneuver is said to be safer when equalizing underwater. This method involves pinching your nose and swallowing which opens up your Eustachian tubes.

Clearing a Snorkel on the Surface

Fully submerging a snorkel fills it with water. This water needs to be cleared from the tube before breathing through your snorkel can be resumed. This means that you need to keep enough air in your lungs in order to forcefully exhale once your snorkel breaches the surface. You need to leave enough time to do this before you can breathe in again.

Tips for Clearing a Snorkel

Forcefully exhale as if saying the number “TWO” really loudly.
Press your lips firmly on the mouthpiece and use your tongue to block the opening before releasing all the air in one strong exhale.
Make sure the tube has in fact breached the surface

This is the easiest method and the one to master first. Another method to clear a snorkel is the expansion method. This method uses Boyle’s law to clear a snorkel more effectively. It is, however, more difficult to master.

Clearing a Snorkel with the Expansion Method

During your ascent, position the snorkel so it is parallel to the surface (you may need to hold it in this position)
When approaching the last 1.5 m before the surface, exhale very small bubbles into the tube.
Air volume will expand as you continue to ascend.
When your face reaches the surface, flick your head forward and exhale forcefully.

Once you master the expansion technique, your snorkel is virtually empty once you reach the surface. This method requires a decent sense of awareness in body position during the ascent, airway control as well as depth perception.

Coming up for Air

Snorkeling is far more enjoyable once you master how to snorkel underwater. This allows you to get a little closer to marine life and corals. Most importantly you experience the serenity that comes from being submerged in the ocean. No artificial sounds, just the gentle crackling of parrotfish and rabbitfish eating algae off the corals below. It truly places you in the present as it is a moment that only lasts one breath.