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Guide to Purchasing Snorkel Equipment
for Children and Adults
Tips:
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DO NOT settle for an ill-fitting equipment, fit is crucial to
performance and comfort. i.e. Avoid the "They'll Grow into
it" thought process.
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Touch and feel the quality of the silicon skirt. You can
feel the difference, and yes, you DO get what you pay for.
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Avoid
PVC masks, Silicon fits better and lasts longer.
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Avoid
Plastic Lens. Insist on Tempered Glass Lenses
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Look for a double feathered skirt edge which makes for a better
seal.
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Single frame: Better view, fogs easier
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Dual Frame: or dual lenses are less apt to fog up quickly and
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Side-View: adds to your field of vision
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Tempered Glass: DO NOT buy anything with a plastic lens. Plastic
lens Fog and Scratch easier
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Profile: Today’s masks are significantly lower profile than
those made even a decade ago.. Low profile means less drag under water and means
the mask will stay comfortably on your face when moving quickly under water and
when dealing with waves, and current. Profile should be considered but comfort
and fit trump profile.
·
Defog: Many quality anti-fogging agents are available in spray,
drops, and a rub on lotion form. You’ll want one for your dive bag. Prices
range from $5-$10 for a bottle that would last for roughly 100 Dives
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Prescription Options
1) Tack on Gauge-Readers @$35 2)
Pop-in Generic power lens @$100
3)
Full prescription @$200
When it comes to your vision, only your eye doctor and you know what's best for
you.
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The Mask
Buy a proper fitting mask. It is an important piece of equipment for
diving; it is your window to the underwater world. A correctly fitted mask
will keep water out. A common reason a mask leaks is that hair is trapped under
the skirt. Brush away any stray hair before trying on a mask.
- Fold the strap over the front of the mask so that
it is out of the way.
- Hold the mask against your face.
- Make sure it fits comfortably around your eyes
and nose. Making sure bangs and hair stay away from the seal.
- Look up and down while keeping your head still,
is your vision obstructed due to frame size?? If so you should consider a larger mask.
- While the mask is against your face, inhale
through your nose.
- The vacuum created in the mask should hold it
against your face when you take your hand away.
- If you can’t create a vacuum, keep trying
different masks until you do.
- Don’t let style or colors influence your
choice. Fit is KEY.
- Typically, a mask will be leak around the sides
around eye level. Finding a mask that doesn’t is crucial. Look for a mask
that is not to wide, yet not to narrow for your face.
- Purge Masks: Did you hold your nose whenever you jumped into
the pool??... if you said "YES" then a purge mask is for you.
A purge mask has a valve for expelling water
below your nose. By simply exhaling you’ll be able to get rid of most
water. A purge mask won’t guarantee that no water will get or stay in your
mask, or in your nose, but it will help get rid of roughly 90%.
- Only about 15% of the models of masks on the
market come with purges, and yes, you’ll probably pay more. Adding a purge
to a mask is possible, but finding the model you like manufactured with a
purge is best.
- Facial Hair will guarantee you will NOT get a
good seal.. if so, you have only few options. Shave, or Deal with it (water
in your mask). Some men will put a bit of Chapstick in the top of their
Mustache just under their nose, rumor has it, that this helps a little.
Shaving under you nose will also help.
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The Snorkel
Your snorkel allows you to breathe through your mouth while floating face
down in the water. Using the snorkel efficiently and comfortably requires
practice. After all, humans are used to breathing through their noses.
Insist on only Snorkels with a Purge Valve at the bottom!
This Snorkel has a Purge Valve (circled) at the lowest point to expel
water |
This Childs Snorkel has no purge valve.
AVOID Snorkels Like this ESPECIALLY
for CHILDREN !! |
Replaceable mouth piece
Purge. Lower
Wave cap
Purge upper
Bendable barrel
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The Fins
Snorkel fins should be flexible and lightweight. There are two basic
styles: full foot and adjustable strap.
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Full foot fins are typically lighter, but are on-size onlywhich means no
room for growth with Children.
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Adjustable strap fins allow you to protect your feet by wearing
Booties or Watershoes.
Neoprene booties guard your feet from cold temperatures, jagged coral, and any sharp objects on the
bottom or in the sand. Many Adjustable Snorkel Fins have soft Neoprene
heel pads, these help avoid calluses when a diver does go barefoot in their
fins.
Brief Maintenance Guide
Rinse Your Gear
The number one cause of equipment damage is neglecting to soak it in fresh
water. Start your maintenance with a thorough soaking in fresh water after every
dive trip. If you don't, salt crystals will dry and harden causing metal parts
to weaken and rust; straps and fabrics will stiffen and crack. The crystals,
along with sand, act like an abrasive causing scratches and holes in equipment.
Inspect Check all straps by stretching them and looking for cracks
and tears. On the mask, look for cracks in the skirt or lense. Inspect purge
valves for bits of sand or salt that may have survived the washing and also look
for cracks.
Repair
A broken strap can be replaced by a new one or use a good strap from a
spare mask. Maask and fins straps average @$5 to replace
Storage
Protect your equipment from light, heat and fumes. Do not pile heavy
weights on top of them. To avoid bent fins, they should lie flat, not on their
tips. Don't let silicone rest against neoprene; the silicone will become
discolored.
Transporting
Pack the fins so that they lie flat, either at the bottom of the gear bag
or the side. Put the mask in its protective case and pack the snorkel
separately. Several manufacturers now make a Travel Fin designed
specifically to fit into tight luggage
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