Snorkeling Mask

The snorkeling mask is your eye protector under the sea. It must be a combination of right fit and comfort for you, the user. What might be right for your friend might not be the thing for you. You have to try it on and see for yourself if it fits good.

To test if the mask is a good fit: Put the mask on your face without strapping it. Inhale and see if the mask creates a suction every time you breathe in. If it does, then, you have a good mask. If it does not, toss it and find a different one.

There are two types of materials used for masks and these are neoprene (black rubber) and silicone (translucent). For a beginner, neoprene is recommended. You must also ask about tempered glass lenses (to avoid shattering of glass into small pieces in your eyes), nose pockets, wide vision, low internal volume and adjustable straps. These characteristics make a good snorkeling mask and the one to buy.

Snorkel

The snorkel is your way to breathe underwater. To test: Place the mouthpiece inside your mouth. It must feel comfy inside your mouth and not irritating the gums. Blow onto the mouthpiece and if you can freely do it, then, the snorkel is good for you.

Other things to consider when choosing your snorkel is that it must be curvy. It just be J-shaped. Stay away from angled snorkels. It must be easy for you to breathe through your mouth too. If you try on a snorkel that obstructs you from breathing freely, toss it. Lastly, a good snorkel measures about 420 mm and no more than that

Snorkeling Fins

The fins are integral for a diving beginner like you. It gives you the freedom to move easily under the sea while swimming. You will be able to maneuver the sea with less effort and of course, you will be less tired.

Every year, better and more modern snorkeling fins are released in the market for use of the aficionados. That being said, there are three things to watch out for when buying your beginner flippers (another term for fins): fin ribs, fin vents and fin channels.

Fin ribs takes care of the thrust. Fin vents lessens water resistance while in movement. Fin channels guide the seawater smoothly.

Snorkeling Vest

The vest keeps you afloat while on the water. It is an integral piece in your snorkeling equipment list because it will act as your safety belt. It will also protect you from UV rays.

Do you have to wear one? Some do not see the need for it if they go really deep and this is true. But others believe that a vest is important if the diver is a beginner or if the diver is not a  very experienced swimmer.

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So, for your knowledge, here are reasons why buying online is preferred than buying from your retail store.

1. Wide Selection includes Unique Items, Affordable Finds and Specific Equipment to your Liking

If you are looking for a particular snorkeling and diving equipment, you are most likely going to find that specific type in its specific brand in an online store. It will be lucky for you if your retail store has that hard-to-find equipment you want because retail stores usually have on hand the common equipment only.

Also, if there are 5 items in one category in your retail store, say diving masks, there are 500% more of that in an online store. Variety and a wide selection is one of the great advantages when shopping online. Let us go back to our example which is the diving mask. Online store offer diving masks in different colors, sizes, styles, designs and brands. The prices vary too and you can choose depending upon your budget. In a retail store, you are stuck with what they have and you are forced to buy something that you may not really like just because you need it immediately.

2. Convenience in Online/Mobile Shopping

No need to take a bath, wear nice clothes, drive yourself to the store and fall in line - shopping online is very convenient. If you have the application on your smartphone or Android, you can buy equipment for your snorkeling or diving adventure anywhere and anytime you please. It is easy, fun and possible.

If you buy from a retail store, you need to freshen up, put gas on your car, drive and wait until your number is called before the attendant can process your purchase. It is daunting. It is time-consuming and tiring.

3.  30-Day Money Back Guarantee and Free Size Changes

Some online stores will accept returns until 30 days from date of purchase. They will not ask you why, how come and where. All you have to do is follow the return instructions and your card will be refunded of the purchase. This is often true when you purchase from Amazon!

Some also approve of size changing and even shoulder the shipping expenses. Can you get these benefits from your retail store? If your size is not available, you will have to wait for 2-3 weeks. Online stores ships the item and the most time you will wait is 1 week.

4.  Zero Percent Financing for Large Order or Wholesale

There are online stores, after verification, who allows their clients to finance their purchase for no interest. For example, you are willing to buy $500 worth of equipment. You only need to pay 10% of that amount and a very minimal processing fee. After that, the balance is divided in 3, 6, 9 or 12 months. You can use card or check. (Note: remember some online stores offer this benefit. Some do not.) It is very unlikely to encounter a retail store who offers this service.

Speaking of wholesale, volume orders are attainable when you are dealing with online stores. Retail stores have limited stocks. Therefore, wholesale purchase is not advisable.

5.  Membership Status

Online stores are proud to take in loyal members who purchase their snorkeling and diving equipment. They give out freebies, loyalty points and gifts. This makes the members happy. You are not asked to be a member in retail stores, right?

There is only one thing an online store cannot possibly do for its clients and that is send out the equipment right then and there. If you buy from a retail store, of course, you get it outright. In an online store, you will have to wait for at least 24 hours. But that is the one and only disadvantage of it.

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This article is not in any way a review to tamper on cheap equipment. But its only purpose is to educate beginners on what they have to purchase for their diving adventure. Blurry masks and leaking snorkels are just two of the effects of budget equipment. The sea is not tolerable to inexpensive diving tools. This can pose a danger to your life.

Dive Mask

This is a very crucial piece of equipment for diving. It used to be a simple model with a plastic pane across the face. This mask design was easy to flood and left the nose unprotected. Until now, designs like these are sold in the market at a really cheap rate. Most beginners feel that this is a good deal because of the price.

But quite frankly, if the mask is blurring your vision under water, it is NEVER  a good deal. You are risking your life if you buy a dive mask which accumulates water. You cannot see well while swimming under the sea and you might end up inhaling water which can drown you. Now, do you see why a cheap dive mask is very risky to use?

Dive Flippers

Experienced divers always tell beginners that it is a must to use flippers when diving. Some of those who do not know the security measures when diving under water will say that there is no need to buy flippers or use the expensive ones. They will say that flippers are an added expense. But they are wrong.

Diving flippers, if worn properly and are a right fit for the user, will improve your movement. It will be your guide through tight spaces and it is one of the tools for balancing under water. If you move with so much effort because you cannot navigate properly (cheap flippers are difficult to navigate), your air tank is easily used up. It lessens your diving time and you have to cut your trip short. Cheap flippers can also hurt your feet. Too much paddling can stress your leg muscles and cause pain. Instead of feeling serene and calm while diving, you get agitated and annoyed. That is not a good diving experience, right?

Dive Suits

The ocean is super cold. If you buy those so-called diving suits from discount stores, in the end, you are just fooling yourself. The cold will envelope your body and make you sick afterwards.

Now, you have to invest in a good suit. This is imperative. If you are diving below ten degrees celsius, you need a dry suit. If you are diving above ten degrees celsius, you have to use a wet suit. Do not use a cheap suit unless you want to get hypothermia.

Cheap equipments means you do not value your life. But if you do, buy pricey and effective diving equipment. It will keep you warm under water and give you the best diving experience. Diving is not a cheap hobby. It is a costly sport because protecting your life is invaluable as well. You need the appropriate equipment and nothing less. If you need to get yourself a good snorkel or diving equipment, read up our best list here!

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Avoiding panic is the number one rule for every diver. Panicking has never done any good for any person underwater. While panic on the surface may get you away from someone chasing you, or keep you highly alert when a close call happens, underwater it simply makes you dangerous. Small problems grow into big problems quickly when someone panics. Staying calm is one of the most important things you can do. This is not only true for when there is a moment to panic. Even when there is nothing going on, if you feel yourself being edgy, take a moment to talk yourself. Panic is the foundation of many larger problems. Avoiding the sensation of panic can help you avoid many other problems.

Keep in mind all that can go wrong likely will go wrong underwater. This mentality is not meant to scare one’s self into a panic. Instead, it is to simply make a proper checklist of all the things that might go wrong during a dive. Think of Murphy’s law: Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. When you think in that manner before a dive, you will be prepared. By being prepared, you avoid the problem.

Practice being safe and avoid skipping over minor details. The minor details are what create little problems. As mentioned above, the little problems can become larger one’s quickly underwater. Always practicing safety measure before a dive, and having that confidence of preparedness helps. When you feel confident and prepared, you are less likely to make errors to begin with. Better than solving any problem underwater is never having it in the first place.

Finally, one must take responsibility for his or her own safety. That means buying all the proper gear, not over-weighting one’s self, and knowing exactly what it will take to be safe. Be prepared to deal with your own problems as they arise and have a strategy for any problem that is likely to occur. By being self-reliant, you give all the other divers an opportunity to focus on his/her own safety. This makes the group a safer group as a whole.

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Whether you are new to the experience of snorkeling, or have a long history with the activity, it can be an eye-opening experience every time you go into the ocean. Underneath the waves is another world which are not seen by many human eyes. No matter how often one enters the ocean, he or she will find new amazing experiences. Nevertheless, any great snorkeling or free-diving experience can be rendered uninspiring with faulty or subpar equipment. That is why the importance of snorkeling equipment is so key to every under-water hobbyists experience. With that in mind, each and every individual should examine the Oceanic V-Flex Fins Snorkeling Scuba Diving Mask Dry Snorkel Set.

The snorkeling-gear package in discussion here comprises of Oceanic V-Flex Fins, Promate Sea Viewer Mask and Promate Whistle Dry Snorkel, along with an Oceanic Mesh Bag. In order to get a clear idea about the different gears that you require for snorkeling one should know each aspect of the equipment itself.

Snorkeling Fins

Your aid in moving under water is the snorkeling fins or flippers. They provide maximum speed and maneuverability with minimum kicking in the water. There are a variety of snorkeling fins like full foot fins, open foot fins, split fins, paddle fins, strap fins, etc. There are fins which can be worn with boots or barefooted. For most open-heel fins the adjustable straps hold them in place. The fin straps are mostly padded on the heels and some snorkeling fins offer an ankle leash. It is vital for you to choose a snorkeling fin that is not too tight or too loose but fits you comfortably. They should be easy to wear and take off and offer a secured fit.

The Oceanic V-Flex Snorkeling Fins requires no boots and is to be worn barefooted for warm water snorkeling. Its foot pockets are soft and comfortable on bare foot. The Oceanic V-Flex Fins feature a pre-bent design that assures a natural kick below and above water. Its sturdy side rails can channel the water towards the center for consistent control while kicking. Its easy-to-adjust strap help in quick release for easy doffing. The strap style fins can accommodate or fit in a wide range of foot sizes. Its available sizes are: XS/MD – Men’s 6-9 & Ladies 7-9.5 or MD/XL – Men’s 9-11 & Ladies 9.5-12.

Snorkeling Masks

The window to the underwater world is the snorkeling mask. It is an important diving device that allows the diver to see clearly. It was extremely important for me to choose a mask that does not fog and blur the vision especially when oneis enjoying a panoramic view and taking in the underwater world. A snorkeling mask is usually made of tempered glass lenses and high quality hypoallergenic silicone skirt and strap. There is a variety of snorkeling masks to choose from like optical lenses, purge valves, ones with side-windows, etc. A good quality mask can withstand underwater pressure and is not brittle.

My Promate Sea Viewer Mask (Rx-Able) that comes with the package is ideal for medium faces like mine. It has a double-edge comfort seal, swivel, and adjustable buckles for a comfortable fit. It is low in volume and offers a broad peripheral view, again ideal for a passionate photographer like me. Like most good quality masks, the Promate Sea Viewer is made of crystal, silicon injected skirt and strap and tempered glasses. Its optical lenses, both near and far-sighted, are available.

Snorkels

An important piece of snorkeling gear, besides the mask and the fins is the snorkel. This piece of safety gear is a snorkeling ventilator that allows you to breathe underwater. While your face is submerged under water, you can still breathe from the surface with the help of a snorkel. There are a variety of snorkels for you to choose from like the basic one. There isthe semi-dry or totally dry types. There are also snorkles with a silicon mouthpiece or a PVC mouthpiece. You can choose between a replaceable mouthpiece or a non-replaceable one.Andthere are even snorkles with a purge valve or without a purge valve. A snorkel mouthpiece must be comfortable with soft flexible edges for easy breathing. It is important to choose a snorkel that is technologically advanced and can prevent water from entering it.

To experience unobstructed breathing the package provides a Promate Cobra 100% Dry Whistle Snorkel. It offers a unique patented upper valve that can prevent water from entering the snorkel. That is due to its patented hinged seal can react underwater and seal it. On the other hand, when you have surfaced from water, this seal opens up allowing fresh air to enter again. This feature makes the snorkel 100% dry. Its silicone purge valve can help in easy-draining and pre-curved silicone mouthpiece can prevent jaw fatigue. The lower section of the snorkel is made of pre-curved corrugated silicone for flexibility and its especially designed cover guards can prevent water-splashing. Its built-in whistle is an added advantage under water.

Snorkel Bags

The snorkel bag is one of the most neglected accessories of snorkel gear. It helps you to keep all the important snorkel gears together and carry them safely to the beach or pool. This accessory is essential to store your snorkel gear in between adventures and outings.

If you tend to get forgetful with your belongings, you can keep your gear inside the Oceanic Mesh Bag (with dimensions 33inches by 14inches) that comes with the package. This snorkel bag is made of heavy-duty dipped mesh that is ideal to carry medium-sized fins, mask, snorkel and towel.

How Much Should You Pay For the Snorkeling Gear Package?

The Oceanic V-Flex Fins Snorkeling Scuba Diving Mask Dry Snorkel Set costs $199.99 anywhere you shop for. However, you can avail of a 41% discount online at Amazon.com, which is quite a reasonable bargain. At Amazon, the product will cost you $69.95 which a great price when most snorkeling gears cost around $75 to $80.

What Others Are Saying About The Product?

The Oceanic V-Flex Fins Snorkeling Scuba Diving Mask Dry Snorkel Set has received rave reviews from a wide customer base online. At Amazon, it has been reviewed by 14 users so far out of which nine of them have bestowed a 5 or 4-star rating to it for its high quality and utility. The average star rating of the product is 3.9-of-5.

Most of the reviewers have found the fins impressively powerful, comfortable and snug. The mask was comfortable, too and did not leak. A customer also appreciated the net bag that comes with the set, which was easy to rinse and hang for drying. Most reviewers have highly recommended the product for snorkeling and added comments like:

Are There Any Complaints?

One reviewer found the fins a little stiff, while a few online reviewers suggested that the gear is suitable for only amateur snorkeling and not serious diving. The Oceanic V-Flex Fins Snorkeling Scuba Diving Mask Dry Snorkel Set is surely a snorkeling gear, but can be used for scuba diving, too, as suggested by some users themselves.

Where Can You Read Real Reviews About The Product?

If you want to read first-hand reviews of the product, it is best to visit Amazon and take your decision by reading customers who are actually using the product.

Recent studies show that women who are pregnant are prone to DCS (decompression sickness). DCS is a term used for the bubbles that form from solution inside one’s body. When this occurs, there are a myriad of symptoms that can occur such as nausea, pain, rashes, and paralysis. Another worry is that the bubbles in a fetus are possible. For those women who are in their second or third trimester, this is especially worrisome. Within a fetus, these bubbles can become extremely dangerous as they can migrate to vital organs. Damage to the fetus’s brain or organs can cause birth defects or even incite a miscarriage.

Studies have not been wholly conclusive when it comes to humans because in-depth testing cannot be done. No woman wants to chance her potential child to a series of test that could involve death. Because of this, only animal studies have been done in hyperbaric. The studies have shown some adverse effects, but it is not easy to tell if they would translate to human impact. Few studies have been done on women who were pregnant after deep diving. These studies came back inconclusive. While some showed an increased risk of birth defects, another showed no raised likelihood. Until there are particular tests done directly on pregnant females, there is no definitive answer.

There is no real necessity to diving. Even if one dives for work, maternity leave or temporary job migration is standard. This is directly because the possible effects on the pregnant woman’s body. More importantly, since there is no necessity to dive, there is no reason to put a fetus or woman at risk. Why risk your body or your potential child’s when you can simply wait out the terms and return to diving? If diving is simply a hobby you cannot live without, try open-ocean snorkeling. While it certainly will not give you every advantage of deep-water diving, you will still be able to partake in your general hobby. And what is nine months of waiting when afterwards you can teach and share the fun of diving with your child. Again, the risk and reward is simply not worth it. A healthy pregnancy is a responsibility. The fun of diving will still be around when you are done with that responsibility.

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