Is Going Snorkeling On A Big Wave Day Advisable? Should I Pay Attention to the surfers standing around afraid to go out? Is it a bad sign that a helicopter is airlifting a surfer out of the lineup?

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ocean-waves

Recognizing danger signs at your local beach prior to snorkeling is advisable. Also, you should learn to count waves in the sets prior to entering water.
Now that you’ve found that great online discount gear snorkel equipment dealer, you’ve chosen a great rash guard from a selection of  rash guards, fins, snorkels and wetsuits.

You’ve driven to the closest beach where you’ve been told there’s some great snorkeling, and you think you’re good to go. A short walk in and boom – you’re snorkeling.

However, there is a problem. The surf is running a good six to ten feet on the faces, with a pounding shore break. Even the experienced local surfers and body boarders, a notorious group that will go out in anything, seem intimidated. Perhaps you should be, too.  Not a good sign there is a surfer being emergency airlifted to the hospital.

But if you are determined to go out this first day of snorkeling, and want to make sure it’s not your last, here’s some handy tips.

If you see big close-out waves pounding the beach, and the usual group of local surfers standing around talking and pointing, instead of grabbing boards and running into the surf, this is a sure-fire sign you, too, should probably be standing around, pointing and talking. Don’t put on your rash guard and run into the surf, willy nilly.  In fact forget willy and nily.  Here’s why: trying to dive or snorkel on a day like this will probably mean the lifeguard is going to probably be running out with willy nilly to save you, or worse, trying to figure out which car your body belongs to when it washes up lifeless on the beach.

If you are bound and determined to snorkel and dive on a day like this, here’s another tip: waves arrive at the beach in sets. Depending on which direction the sets are coming, the sets could number anywhere from five to nine or ten waves per set. Then there’s a lull; then the waves start pounding in. Count the waves. Time the lull. Obviously, swim out during the lull. Time your entry to be between sets, and, conversely swim back during the lull, as well.

However, it cannot be emphasized enough that snorkeling and diving on a day like this is not recommended, no matter how experienced you are.

You May Have Questions About What Dry Suit or Wetsuit to Buy. Is A Dry Suit, As good as a 6.5mm Farmer John Wetsuit? Is Second Hand Dive Equipment Safe?

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THICK-WETSUIT

When you consider how much a diving dry suit costs, a minimum of $1000, you will want to seriously consider buying a thick wetsuit or even a two-piece Farmer John Style Wetsuit.
Many online dive sites do not even carry dry suits because a good wetsuit or even 6mm two piece farmer john wetsuit is just as good.. Most people buying dive equipment online are looking for deals, and for the least expensive equipment possible, and dry suits are very expensive. A decent dry suit is going to set you back at least $1000.

We found a great online dive store that sold semi dry wetsuits, and lots of thicker, budget-conscious wetsuits like the two-piece farmer john. A full dry suit insulates using a layer of air, as opposed to wetsuits which trap a layer of water against the skin. Air is a better insulator than water, so using a dry suit means you will not get chilled as fast as you would with a wetsuit in the same water temperature. You may still get a chill though unless you have some way of heating the dry suit. Some divers use hot air to heat the dry suit.

A semi dry suit may be the best solution if you want the benefits of a dry suit, but are unwilling to pay the steep price. The difference between a semi-dry and a full dry suit is unlike a full dry suit, you can’t inflate or deflate a semi-dry suit.

Buying second hand dive gear is one of the worst ideas. Who knows what the gear has been through? It’s not like you can go to something like DiveFax and find out its history. Buying new from a reputable online supplier means all your gear will work like it’s supposed to from the start.

Most divers decide early-on what kind of diving they like: Night diving, cliff diving, spearfishing etc. What would make a diver decide to cave or free dive when having a great dive means one you come back alive from?

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cave diving

Here is why divers make a choice as to what kind of diving to do, why some choose cave diving.  Also, just exactly what is extreme cave diving?
Divers seem to decide between various types of diving, and make that endeavor their passion, but they need to choose the appropriate scuba equipment to participate in their dive of choice.  The kinds of different diving are about as varied as the divers who like them.
Divers might prefer night diving. Certain types of fish come out at night, and divers get to see them at this particular time using the right dive torch. Lobster hunting is particularly good at night.  Some divers prefer cliff diving, (which is not jumping off a cliff in full scuba gear) . It’s diving alongside a cliff, and being carried by the currents to see various reef formations and types of fish.

Other divers really love snorkeling, spearfishing or cave diving. Of all those types of diving, cave diving most closely matches the diving I like for pure thrills and excitement. The difference between most recreational dives and cave dives is that cave divers are thankful to have returned safely and alive from their dive. Most divers do not face the prospect of boulders the size of houses falling on them.  In fact, the only type of diving that might match cave diving for danger is “free diving.”  Free diving is not “free.”  It’s holding  your breath as long as you can and going as deep as you can without anything more than fins.  Again, come back from a free dive alive:  successful free dive.  Come back dead:  unsuccessful free dive.  The “free” refers to the lack of equipment (or common  sense, one  might argue).

Most extreme cave divers consider a successful dive one that they have actually returned from. Extreme cave divers are a completely different animal than recreational divers. Maybe the key word is ‘animal.’  Extreme cave divers are crazy. Free divers, even crazier.  Recreational divers are not. Among the many dangers extreme cave divers face are hydrogen sulfide poisonous water that they can’t protect themselves from.  Narcolepsy is another.  Other dangers also include the risk of really jagged edges, a hazard that can be prevented with the right gloves, and losing your sense of direction.  If all that sounds like fun, try free or cave diving.