Diving/Snorkeling Experiences. Anyone done it?

[Bad Touch Yakushi]

Basically before I die I want to take up diving/snorkeling as a hobby. Something that has always interested me is the sea. Sealife is basically the most interesting thing Earth has to offer and the mix of some of the most beautiful but also some of the most deadly creatures and sights ever is a very enticing thought to me. I know it requires a lot of training and is basically just as scary and risky as outer space- especially the way you become so reliant on air and the mere pressure alone of some places could kill you.

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My parents both used to be professional divers and that's how they met, so it'd seem odd for me to never give it a go. The problem is i've only snorkeled once and that was on an American holiday and foreign beaches- nothing really note-worthy. Considering i'm an absolute rookie whose only real fear in the ocean is poisonous creatures- what are the differences between the 2 activities and which would you recommend for me?

Are there any people on the Base who have dived or snorkeled before? Could I even have a strong enough body as a healthy 17 year old to go diving? Is there any general knowledge or precautions I should be wary of? How would I even go about this?

 

[Sir Blades]

Make sure your parents give you some pointers. Don't wander off too much, i usually get to in to the notion of exploration that sometimes i go too far. Take some preventive measures.

 

[Bad Touch Yakushi]

Make sure your parents give you some pointers. Don't wander off too much, i usually get to in to the notion of exploration that sometimes i go too far. Take some preventive measures.

You actually dive? That's awesome

How does someone actually get into the hobby? Where would you even go for lessons haha, also would you recommend snorkeling or diving and what's the difference between the 2?

 

[Kurome]

I only snorkeled when i was 13 in Egypt, at Sharm el Sheikh reef. That was paradise i want to try again and sometime, dive for real :ls:

You should really try, moreover because your parents are divers

 

[Naijakid]

I suggest you dive....

 

[Sir Blades]

You actually dive? That's awesome

How does someone actually get into the hobby? Where would you even go for lessons haha, also would you recommend snorkeling or diving and what's the difference between the 2?

If you live close to the shores, you could go online and search areas where they give lessons. It wouldn't be that hard to find. Snorkeling is just being in the surface of the water and looking at the marine life from a top down view. Diving is more demanding, you have to completely submerge yourself underwater and with experience explore underwater caves, or just explore coral reefs, you will obviously be with a guide if you are not experienced enough.Did i help? =D

 

[Sir Blades]

I only snorkeled when i was 13 in Egypt, at Sharm el Sheikh reef. That was paradise i want to try again and sometime, dive for real :ls:

You should really try, moreover because your parents are divers

They are very beautiful. But the shores of Australia are magnificent.

 

[Kurome]

They are very beautiful. But the shores of Australia are magnificent.

Is it so? Then i know where my next snorkeling/diving trips will be

 

[Bad Touch Yakushi]

If you live close to the shores, you could go online and search areas where they give lessons. It wouldn't be that hard to find. Snorkeling is just being in the surface of the water and looking at the marine life from a top down view. Diving is more demanding, you have to completely submerge yourself underwater and with experience explore underwater caves, or just explore coral reefs, you will obviously be with a guide if you are not experienced enough.Did i help? =D

Oh yeah because Snorkeling literally is just staying at the surface isn't it, I guess if you lengthen the funnel it's basically diving. Yeah i'd need to look into diving after doing a bit of leisurely snorkeling I think.

And that's the problem- I live in the UK...hardly known for it's beaches and oceans aha :') thanks you're a big help

 

[Gyakusetsu]

Snorkeling is not just staying on the surface unless that is your desire. Most snorkels today come equipped with a water purge and will seal upon descent. Just take it easy and know your limitations for how far down you can go and still have enough air to make it back up safely.

 

[Bad Touch Yakushi]

Snorkeling is not just staying on the surface unless that is your desire. Most snorkels today come equipped with a water purge and will seal upon descent. Just take it easy and know your limitations for how far down you can go and still have enough air to make it back up safely.

Hm, how interesting

I really have to ask around and see if I can set some lessons up in the UK as soon as possible.

 

[cptenn94]

Oh yeah because Snorkeling literally is just staying at the surface isn't it, I guess if you lengthen the funnel it's basically diving. Yeah i'd need to look into diving after doing a bit of leisurely snorkeling I think.

And that's the problem- I live in the UK...hardly known for it's beaches and oceans aha :') thanks you're a big help

Snorkeling isnt just sitting on the surface looking down. It also involves going down and diveing, to go look at stuff. When I last went snorkeling, i went and dove down 20 yards or so, to go and view some cannons from a shipwreck. Whenever we went to reefs, I would be underwater more than above water.

However since i did not have training, and the lung capacity, i could not do free diveing(basically scuuba diveing useing your lungs and holding your breath.


I havent scuba dived, but i know a tad bit about it.

So. If you are very inexperianced, and know nothing, then snorkeling is for you. If you train yourself, and learn how to do it, then you can go scuuba diveing or free diveing.

Things you need to know about diveing in general.
1. You need to learn to change your internal ear pressure. If you dont if you dive more than 10 yards(or 10 meters) your ears will hurt. The further down you go, the worse it will be. However, if you learn to change your ear pressure manually(its not hard), then you can withstand diveing down to signifigant depths.(

Have you ever gone on a plane(or a mountain) and as you go up, your ears feel a bit odd, and then you yawn, or chew gum, and they pop to normal? That is changeing your ear pressure. If you want to know more message me and i can give you links and tips on this. But you can just look it up as well.

2. You need to learn to ascend and descend properly. Basically, your body cannot withstand extreme pressure changes. If you ascend or descend to quickly you can get a diver sickness called "the bends". I have not experianced it, but it is no fun. A dive teacher, or the internet, can guide you to a proper rate to go up or down.

3. ALWAYS have a dive buddy or buddies. Never dive alone. The larger the group the better. Stick with the group. If you dont you could get caught in a current without people knowing, and be taken quite a ways away.

4. Learn how to get out of underwater currents.

5. Dont be afraid of poisonous underwater creatures. Just dont touch them, and you should be just fine. Typically sea creatures are non aggressive towards humans, unless startled or touched.


Im sure your parents can give lots of help. They are probably a valuable resource to use to learn about diveing. They might even have dive gear that fits you, so you dont have to buy stuff.

My experiance with snorkeling, is that it is worth it and fun to do. You can see some really cool stuff.
I must disagree with whoever said the reefs are the most beautiful things to see(on earth). I think it is up to a persons preference, on what is more beautiful. Some people like sunsets more etc.

But reefs are really gorgeous. They are worth seeing.(and ive just seen atlantic reefs....not even the much brighter and prettier pacific reefs(idk about other ocean reefs)

I hope I have been able to help you in someway. Have fun, and have a great day.