Snorkeling is not only a fun and fascinating water sport , it also brings many benefits to the health of the mind and body. Those who decide to start this magical underwater adventure, however, must have all the useful snorkeling equipment available and also know the possible risks of this sport. Diving involves a number of potential dangers that a diver must be able to deal with.
First of all, therefore, let’s make an overview of the essential equipment for safe and fun diving . Then, let’s find out what are the benefits of diving and give you some advice to start this sport so suggestive and exciting in the best possible way and without risk.
What do you need for diving?
The first good rule is to buy only good quality products , made with excellent materials and preferably from well-known and specific brands in the sector. This way, not only will your equipment last longer but you will also be sure that you can count on durable and well-designed equipment.
Here is the essential equipment to dive safely.
- Mask. It is certainly the most important article because it allows you to see underwater. Make sure you choose a model that has a good field of view and can be adjusted to suit your face shape. The best are masks that have a tempered glass visor because they allow a much sharper view.
- Snorkel. In Italian we can translate it as a snorkel and it is that rubber tube that, attached to the mask, allows you to breathe when you approach the surface of the water. Although they all look the same, they come in different sizes so check the size before buying one.
- Mute. For more demanding dives and those in colder waters, you will also need a protective suit. Usually made of neoprene, they adhere perfectly to the body. The wetsuits can be long -sleeved or short- sleeved and depending on the thickness they guarantee greater or lesser thermal insulation and therefore are suitable for different seas.
- Pedagno. This is the mandatory signaling buoy for anyone who dives: it serves to signal the presence of the diver, thus avoiding the risk of accidents with rowing or motor boats. Usually the footboard consists of a lead and a floating part (usually a buoy) that floats on the surface.
- Fins. Another fundamental element of any scuba diving, the fins allow you to swim faster and with less effort. They can have the shoe closed or open , they are adjustable and must first of all be comfortable, otherwise the movements in the water will become tiring.
While this is the must-have equipment for any scuba diving, there are however other accessories that can also come in handy.
- Smartwatch. Having a diving watch on your wrist that records movements, depth and other vital signs such as heart rate can be of great help during a dive. For those who do divers at advanced levels, it also allows you to plan decompression stops useful for the ascent.
- Underwater camera. Those who dive certainly know the wonders that can be found underwater and part of the fun is also taking spectacular photos and videos, to be kept as a souvenir of the experience and to share with friends and relatives. If you are planning a dive in a place particularly rich in marine fauna and flora, bring an underwater camera with you .
Why go scuba diving?
Diving is a very fun sport and offers numerous benefits to both body and mind.
- Tone your muscles. Like all sports, diving also has a toning and strengthening effect on the muscles. By moving against the resistance of the water, the muscle fibers work even more.
- Improve your breathing. Those who dive are prone to develop slow and deep breathing because in this way they optimize air consumption.
- Lower your blood pressure. Those with high blood pressure will certainly benefit from diving because diving helps keep levels low. Regular diving is therefore less likely to have strokes and heart attacks.
- Improve circulation. Like all water sports, diving also improves circulation because muscles need oxygen to work underwater. Plus, it’s a complete cardiovascular workout.
- It reduces stress. Several studies show that all activities that involve slow and deep breathing allow you to reach a state of relaxation and calm. The diver in fact focuses on the surrounding environment and its breathing, bringing the nervous system into balance and calming the mind.
What to know before snorkeling
Diving is therefore recommended for many reasons: moreover, like all water sports , it does not damage the joints because there are no direct stresses, so it is suitable for all ages.
However, it is good to know that it is essential to be in good physical condition and to have confidence in the water: you need to know how to swim well to be able to dive safely. If you can swim for at least 200 meters, stay afloat for at least 10 minutes and stay underwater with your eyes open for at least a minute, you shouldn’t have any problems diving! Avoid alcohol the day before the dive, eat healthily and not too heavily and obviously only dive if you are healthy, that is, if you do not have a fever or other illnesses.
Finally, for the first dives it is advisable to rely on a center or a guide , who will give you all the necessary information and will guide you to avoid any type of risk
