Snorkeling is a beautiful way to see the sights of underwater ecosystems around our world but can be surprisingly complicated for beginners. If you have found yourself in a situation where you have swallowed water, how do you fix it, and how do you continue your experience without having to stop it too early?
Knowing the basics of how to snorkel is key before you even get into the water, so read on to make sure you know what to do to prevent water from getting into your snorkel and what to do if it happens to you.
1. Get equipment that fits properly.
Two items you need before snorkeling are your mask and snorkel.
To make sure your mask fits, you should press it against your face and inhale slowly and gently through your nose; if it suctions onto you without being too tight, the mask is a good size for you. Also, check your mask strap—wrap it around your head at its largest point, and after adjustments, it should feel snug but not too tight.
If you struggle with breathing even after you start learning how to snorkel, consider a full-face mask. While it covers the entire face, it can help in terms of making sure that you have a more comfortable experience. Since carbon dioxide buildup can be a concern, make sure you find a full-face mask that fits you properly. Because of how the sizing works, if you are trying to rent or borrow a full-face mask, it will be unlikely to fit correctly. These masks require you to measure your face for full comfort and a perfect fit.
When it comes to your snorkel, the height of it should allow you to fit the mouthpiece comfortably in your mouth without any sort of tension against the tube.
There are three different types of snorkels that you can choose from such as semi-dry, which has a splash guard at the top and a valve at the bottom so you can release any water; dry, which is similar to the semi-dry but simply has a float valve so if you go underwater, the tube is sealed; and the wet snorkel, which is a simple tube and doesn’t have any additional features.
While the dry and semi-dry snorkels are best for beginners, as they do not let water into the tube, there is still a possibility that the float valve on the dry snorkel closes while you are trying to breathe. If this happens, simply take out the snorkel from your mouth and fix the valve with your fingers.
Before you even head out to snorkel, clean your equipment. It will help prevent it from fogging up so you can see as you swim.
2. Position your snorkel correctly.
The tube should also be placed at around a 45-degree angle between the top of your head and the back of your head; with that placement, it will stick far enough out of the water so it doesn’t come in.
It should also be placed properly on the strap—if the snorkel is too low, you will not be able to use the entirety of the tube length.
3. Control your breathing and always breathe through your mouth.
Staying calm and making sure you breathe slowly when you are snorkeling can help you avoid water coming into your snorkel in the first place. Because of the snorkel’s construction, you may get dizzy from too much carbon dioxide, so it’s important to breathe deeply as you snorkel so you do not suffer any sort of negative effect from the carbon dioxide in the tube.
Breathing through your mouth is imperative when you’re underwater because if you try to inhale or exhale with your nose, it could change how your mask fits and potentially cause a leak. If you struggle with this, a nose clip may help you not breathe through your nose.
How to Snorkel Underwater (Beginners’ Guide)
4. Know how to position your body to prevent water from coming into your snorkel.
As waves—made by nature or made by you—can force water into your snorkel, it’s important to control your own body to make sure that doesn’t happen. The easiest way to make sure your body doesn’t cause any sort of water to enter your snorkel is by learning how to float on the surface and pitch slightly forward. It will keep your snorkel above the surface.
If you are using fins, focus your movement on just using them. If you use your arms, it could cause water to shift into your snorkel, so it is best to just keep your arms at your sides.
Also make sure your hair does not get stuck within your mask, as it will make your mask leak.
5. Practice and stay calm.
It’s important to know what you’re doing before you get out into deeper waters, so make sure you practice ahead of time, whether it’s in a body of water without too many waves or people or even a 
swimming pool. Knowing how to use your equipment and knowing how to move your body in a way to prevent water from coming into your snorkel is key in making sure your experience when you’re in open water is the best and safest it can be.
In the same vein, it’s also important to know how to swim. While you don’t have to become an Olympic swimmer to learn how to snorkel, knowing the basics and understanding how your body works in the water is imperative to make sure you stay calm and know what you’re doing in a situation where you may have water come into your snorkel. If you are unsure about your own swimming skill, consider using some sort of flotation device such as a vest or a belt to keep yourself afloat.
Because panic can cause you to breathe faster and shallower, it can cause a carbon dioxide build-up, which only makes your panic worse. Knowing what you’re doing before you go out into open water will help prevent this from happening.
6. Use your tongue as a guard when water comes in.
Even with the proper equipment and training, water can still come into your snorkel when you least expect it. One way to prevent you from swallowing water is by using your tongue as a splash guard—before you breathe in, put the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth to make sure water doesn’t get into your throat. When you exhale, make sure to exhale hard to expel any remaining water.
7. Expel the water from your snorkel by dumping it or blowing it out.
There are two different ways that you can expel the water from your snorkel if it gets in—by blowing it out or by dumping it out.
Blowing it out means you simply exhale heavily and force the air out through the tube, while if you dump it out, simply resurface, take the snorkel from your mouth, and dump it.
While getting water into your snorkel may be unavoidable at times, if you follow the steps above, you can prevent yourself from swallowing seawater most of the time. The main takeaway is knowing your equipment and knowing yourself—as long as you have a properly fit snorkel and mask and know the tricks of how to keep water from even entering your snorkel, you can avoid swallowing water altogether.
Please note: This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Please consult a legal expert or medical professional to address your specific needs.