Swimming is definitely pleasurable, challenging, and addictive. But with the use of equipment, it transforms the experience into a more joyful activity considering the benefits it provides and the convenience it delivers to our leisure. There are so many exciting things we can do in the water either for fun, competition, or discovery. With the invention of the swimming mask and tube like the snorkeling mask, our swimming and diving experience gets more easy and convenient.
Snorkeling is a practice of breathing underwater with the help of a device called “snorkel”, a tube with a shorter length enough for a person to swim and be able to breathe while seeing the things under the water. The snorkeling mask is a mask that enables a person to have vision underwater by protecting the eyes from the effects of water like the salt water which can make the eyes red and prickling upon longer exposure. Both the snorkeling mask and the tube attached together allow the swimmer to breathe and see underwater.
Table of Contents
What is the use of a Snorkel?
The snorkel plays a vital role in swimming and diving. In surface swimming, it is a short tube attached to the diving mask. It allows the wearer to submerge both the eyes and the mouth and will be able to breath fresh air. It is the main tool in many activities such as underwater activities like spearfishing and other sports.
What is a Diving Mask?
A diving mask is a tool commonly used by Scuba divers and usually made of a front glass namely “faceplate”. It is attached with a rubber that is formed according to the specifications of the face that becomes the shape of the mask enclosing the nose, eyes and upper area of the face. However, there are many designs and shapes for the diving mask promoted by many experts and companies. The real purpose remains to make the wearer comfortable by giving the advantage of an open area in the face that enables divers to see underwater. Normally such designs include a round oval shape, some are made to fit for the nose and the eyes portion of the face. And some are bulky with huge glasses.
What is a Snorkeling Mask?
A snorkeling mask is a tool combined by a diving mask and a snorkel. There are many classifications of a snorkeling mask depending on the number of purposes. These are the types of snorkeling mask below:
Plain Snorkel – This is the type of snorkel mask that is usually used for fun and leisure activities. It has a hardened tube with an open hole on the top to stay above the water surface. It allows the wearer to breathe while their face is being submerged in the water. Its tube has a mouthpiece on the end or bottom of the tool. It is the mechanism from which the wearer breathes and dive in shallow water surface enough for the tube to stay above the water and not to be filled with water to continue breathing. The tube is normally “L shape” or J shape” to give comfortability while diving or swimming.
Full-face Snorkel Mask – This type of snorkeling mask is an integrated type and a modern design of the old plain snorkel mask. It has an oval shape that protects the entire face of the wearer and the snorkel tube is attached on the top for easy breathing and absolute convenience. The design of this snorkeling mask is made to cover the entire face compared to the plain snorkeling mask that covers only the eyes and the nose, which means the full-face snorkel mask gives advantage for allowing both oral and nasal breathing.
What are the activities when snorkeling mask are normally used?
The invention of a snorkel and a diving mask created the availability of many activities such as sports and leisure. Nowadays, the snorkeling mask plays an important role in our capabilities of underwater activities. There is so much we can do with the use of it.
In sports there are numerous activities that involves the snorkeling mask, both the plain and the full-face types such as:
- Spearfishing
- Underwater rugby and hockey
- Freediving and swimming
In leisure the snorkeling mask is normally use to enjoy the natural wonders of the underwater environment such as:
- Coral reefs
- Fish
- Sea water plants
Furthermore, snorkeling also plays a significant role in discovery. It is used by many divers and marine biologists to study marine ecosystems. Such a tool really provides a great impact in many activities and discoveries.
Conclusion
The snorkeling mask changes our capabilities even when we are submerged in the water. It gives us a great advantage of breathing and vision without sacrificing our body from the effects of sea and fresh water. This only concludes that we can do more than just being a natural creature living on the surface.