Snorkeling

Safety is safety — going for the recreational snorkeling, we always skim the safety aspect.

Knowing the swim may (or may not required) and should not be considered as a core safety aspect.

Well, that sounds kinda stupid to state such a statement, but believe us, this is!

What if you just head far in the sea and then turn exhausted on the way back; so, that is a failed safety practice because you cannot bear swimming back to shore with drained energy.

Then comes the need of life jacket.

Can you wear a life jacket when snorkeling? That indeed is the valid question because you have to go underwater for the sake of snorkeling.

Can You Wear a Life Jacket When Snorkeling?

Yes, what is wrong in it wearing the life jacket when snorkeling?

Of course, this is part of the safety protocol.

Or better say, it can save your life in many emergency situations.

Most of the snorkelers would disagree to this sole question of do you wear a life jacket when snorkeling.

And if you ask them the reason, they would not be able to state a solid answer.

Over and above, the life jacket is simply the life-saving jacket. If you want to wear it, you must.

How to Snorkel with Life Jacket On!

This whole process detailing out how to snorkel with life jacket on. And when you are reading this, we believe you care about your life at the ocean.

So, stick with us.

The natural buoyancy is the practical part of staying afloat. This is the practice most skilled swimmers employ.

But the lift-jacket is the helpful invention for anyone regardless of being a swimmer or non-swimmer.

The life jacket converses you the years of practice of learning how to swim.

So, you got to stay afloat and you cannot swim down the water with life jacket on. But life jacket has several benefits and the one is the non-swimmers could swim well without proper guidance.

Now, drop the free-dive part and do not complain about it. The good thing is, it takes you to freely move around the ocean, float and enjoy the over-surface snorkeling.

On to the process now;

What to Do before Going Snorkeling with Life Jacket on?

Going for snorkeling without a life jacket requires not much of the details to check on.

But when you have the need to wear a life jacket for snorkeling, there are many aspects you should made aware of.

Again, stick with us! 🙂

Size Matters… of a Life Jacket

Size does matter.

A worst-sized life jacket is super loose, may come off in the sea, and would keep you disturbed all along.

So, size matters.

But the life jacket contains the irregular size than the regular t-shirts we wear. And we do not know how to measure the life jackets’ size.

So, we must recommend visiting the local store to grab the life jacket that fits. And from there you can try different life jackets to find your perfect match.

Learn Wearing the Life Jacket First

It is highly-recommended to learn wearing the life jacket on your own.

And what is so complicated about wearing the life jacket all by yourself?

Just take it up, wear it like you do with a t-shirt, and snap up all the belts and straps together, and you are on!

What Remains Same for Snorkeling with Life Jacket On

The one question that still remains same if you are looking for can you go underwater with a life jacket?

No, you cannot; you would not be able to swim down the water with wearing the life jacket on.

So, the ideal situation seems to be snorkeling on a shallow water where the seabed remains just a couple of feet away from you.

Who Can Snorkel with Life Jacket On

Conclusion time!

Snorkeling is the best practice to explore the whole underwater world.

Whatever time you spend on the ocean, you cannot view the underwater world with the naked eye.

The only way possible is to go for snorkeling at least. And for the snorkeling safety protocol, we want you to wear a life jacket.

Yes, it can trigger the thought of can you wear a life jacket when snorkeling? If that is what you have been thinking, you are thinking right.

It is viable to wear a life jacket when snorkeling for the safety purpose and under various situations.

So, it is extremely safe and shows your seriousness towards the safety. GOD forbid, we want you to enjoy snorkeling without facing any troubles and mishaps.

It is just start of 2022 and COVID-19 is still lingering around. And for the folks with immense snorkeling love; buying the snorkel equipment is the safest option.

But what about renting the snorkel equipment? And, if that question of is it safe to rent snorkel equipment during COVID?

Yeah, renting the snorkeling gears to converse yourself some good bucks because you are not an avid and regular snorkeler.

With COVID around, we do not feel like advising you not to rent out the snorkel equipment at all.

Is It Really Safe to Rent Snorkel Equipment During COVID

No, we would never advise to rent snorkel gear at all.

It is COVID, its different variant going on around the world and still trying the thorough disinfection may still put us in doubts.

Why live in the delusions when you are not satisfied renting the snorkel gears.

There are plenty of reasons that can literally explain why renting the snorkel gears seem unsafe. And if you bypass any of these valid reasons, we doubt you do not take corona outbreak serious at all.

The Snorkeling Equipment Goes Right into the Snorkeler’s Mouth

We all know many of the snorkeling equipment goes into the mouth, especially the mouthpiece.

So, trusting the level of cleanup and disinfection may still leave us into the world of doubt if it was really cleaned.

That sounds so odd to have the rented mouthpiece into our mouth, but we would not try it because of COVID outbreak.

We do Not Know if the Rental Snorkel Gear is Cleaned/Disinfected

Yes, there is always the doubt of cleaning and disinfecting the rented snorkel gear.

If that is the capriciousness dwelling into your mind, you must not practice the snorkeling at all.

Or the second option is to get your own personal snorkeling gear to keep up with you all the time.

So, is Renting Snorkel Gear Safe?

No, after all these reasons sorted out; this should lead to the conclusion of renting snorkel gear is unsafe.

But still, those who take the risk to use the rental snorkel gear, we have another way around to use them without any worries.

How to Disinfect Rental Snorkeling Gear

Giving more weightage not to use the rental snorkeling gear, there is still the method that takes you through how to disinfect rental snorkeling gear.

As disinfection tends to be an extreme requirement due to COVID outbreak, we never compromise on this part to ensure the snorkeling gears are ready to serve and go on to rentals.

Get to Use Proper and High-Quality Disinfectant

Gone are the days when we used to use any other available disinfectant without looking at the

You must take these two recommendations at play:

What to Disinfect

All the snorkeling gears including;

Apply the disinfectant all around the snorkel gears, wipe, and let it air dry.

If you are using the bleach, then add 1/3 cup of it into a gallon of fresh water then place all the snorkeling gears inside the bucket for up to 15 to 30 minutes.

Once the time period is over, take all of them out, rinse it with fresh tap water, and place them in the open air to turn air dry and not under the direct sunshine.

Read: How to Snorkel with Glasses to Not Lose the Underwater Clarity

Why Disinfection is So Important

With the excessive usage and different folks using the same snorkel equipment time to time, we never put the proper disinfection.

And hence, you have to properly disinfect the gears after every use.

Not just disinfect and send the gears on the rental; you must wait for the few days before having it to relist for use.

Looking for the dedicated piece on how to clean snorkel gear, read that out in full!

Conclusion!

Now you know if is it safe to rent snorkel equipment during COVID.

Not that we have stressed upon the safety part and why you should first avid to use the rental snorkeling gears now.

But we also listed the methods to properly disinfect the rented snorkel gears to reuse.

Still if you do not believe to use the rental gears, it is alright. We do not force you to must use them, either you should purchase your own depending on the willingness.

And if you are courageous enough to take the risk, make sure the snorkeling gears are properly sanitized.

In either cases, stay safe and healthy. COVID is no joke, so do not compromise on your health.

Without further a duo, let’s get straight to this comparison of long fins vs short fins for snorkeling.

And without a doubt, we need the fins, be it either long or short, for the sake of stable movement underwater.

The bare feet thrusting is good for health but it involves too much energy which we can easily drain outta the body.

However, all the swimming processes should be relatively easier on your body, especially when snorkeling.

The snorkeling is for the immense recreation, to enjoy the world below water, and worrying about energy and uneasiness would blow all the charm.

Do not bother around — we let you to decide whichever fins are good for recreational snorkeling.

But do not just pick all by yourself or fall in the trap of the sellers. Decide for yourself.

Long Fins vs Short Fins for Snorkeling — Whichever Should I Really Pick?

And let’s head to the initiation of the long debate whether or not you pick the long fins or short ones.

We will cover them both in good details to ease out your selection backed with the facts (and figures where possible.)

The overall scenario is what you would set to experience down with this content.

Whether it is long or short fins for snorkeling, we urge to always opt for the fins to best enjoy your underwater time.

Short Fins vs Long Fins for Snorkeling — The Real Comparison Starts Right From Here!

When we talk about the fins to use for snorkeling and despite of the sizes, the need of the time is which snorkel should best fit in the ideal situations.

Picking one by your gut feelings, we would never recommend going this way because we do not know the depth about what snorkeling fins seem good and right to the need.

And when the short or long fins are available in the market, that means they both seem to be working good in particular situations but not ideal to use without knowing everything about the both types.

Seriously speaking, we will dig deep into the versus part for both snorkeling fins types for you to enlighten and help making up the decision to pick the right one for yourself.

What is Long Fins for Snorkeling?

First off, long fins are best at giving you ruddering power to catch up more of the distance without any hassle.

The long fins’ one thurst can easily get you to cover two to three meters in a splash.

For the folks just wanting to explore the underwater world with being over the sea surface, the long fins would be a perfect option.

What is Short Fins for Snorkeling?

The best choice for the recreational snorkeling, short fins perform super good underwater to keep you gliding with somewhat faster pace than bare foot kicking.

And the short fins come with the ability to fast underwater maneuvering to change your course without much effort.

PROs of Long Fins:

• Expect faster covering your distance with each and every kick
• Low resistance conversing your energy
• Bendable and flexible blades to conveniently kick through the rough currents without worrying about breaking them

CONs of Long Fins:

• Hard to maneuver
• Not a good fit for recreational/slow moving snorkeling
• Cannot go slow
• Looks weird when wearing and walking
• Accidental twisting may break it

PROs of Short Fins:

• Quick maneuver without a problem
• Legs would be feeling like stroking naturally
• Gives increased stability underwater
• Looks natural at wearing

CONs of Short Fins:

• Takes a lot of kicking at the faster tempo without covering more distance
• May drain your body out of energy after a minute or two
• Not designed for fast moving through the water

Do you Really Need Fins to Snorkel?

Well, we had already covered this whole topic of do you need fins to snorkel separately.

There you would have a chance to grab the wholesome of scenarios that may trigger the absolute need of the fins to snorkel.

What Kind of Fins are Best for Snorkeling?

And it depends — some may pick short and some would go with long fins.

As it depends on your personal preferences. So, get your personal preferences straight if you got the need of just sniffing through the water. Or if you are the slow mover wanting to explore the underwater world.

So, the first scope takes the long fins as the best choice. And the second one would be sufficient enough to go with short fins.

Standard Snorkel Fins Size Chart (as in U.S.A.)

The short fins for snorkeling are generally available in the market that goes to the maximum and below 25.0 inches.

Whereas, any fin above 25.0 inches is considered as the long snorkeling fin.

Read: When is the Best Time to Snorkel?

Are Short Fins Better than Long Fins — Who’s The Winner?

We believe short fins due to multiple reasons.

And the only and only reason seems to be the recreational snorkeling because snorkeling is all about exploring the underwater world.

And you cannot really be this fast to move past the entire reef world with few splashes of kicks.

So, go for short fins due to this one damned reason! 🙂

Conclusion!

So as decided and proved, the short fins are the best one due to multiple reasons and findings.

And that actually concludes the wholesome of long fins vs short fins for snorkeling with the clear winner being Short Fins!

To the overall scenario, it mainly covers different aspects of the both fins types and the clear pros and cons giving you an edge to decide to pick from either.

And depending on your own preferences, the obvious reasons detailed out are sufficient enough to make up your mind.

Fun snorkeling seems possible with the short fins, isn’t it?

Without a doubt, short fins all the way! 🙂

So, have ’em and stick to the underwater world to explore on your own!

Let’s get one thing straight, the snorkels are generally short.

But if you have been wanting to know the answer why are snorkels so short, then you have landed on the right place.

However, most would agree to the fact the longest snorkels are tend to grab the air from the surface by being floating close to the seabed, and submerged.

The Short Snorkels are Intentional

That is one thing, and it is the only thing you cannot do anything about.

Seriously speaking, the short snorkels are intentional.

The short sizes are here to stay — forever.

You cannot do anything about increasing the snorkels’ average short size.

And the short snorkels are intentional for one obvious reason. The core and valid health-triggering reason that justifies its short size.

No matter what you do, admit the fact the short size is there forever.

Why are Snorkels So Short instead of Being Extra Long?

When we say the short snorkels, we know we cannot really do anything about extending its size to make it a super long snorkel.

Fact is the fact — and, we are sorry about you cannot really do anything to extend its size.

The extra long snorkel is just a dream that never can come true. And if you still happen to try increasing its size by any means, you are directly and proportionally trying your level best to mend with the health issues.

Yes, that is the health issue the long snorkel tube can pose to you. A fatal health issue though.

Dead Air Spaces

The dead air spaces, this is the core reason why you should not do anything about extending the snorkel in anyway.

Even if you can do that manually, the use may pose severe problem to your health.

As we all know the human body tends to suck in oxygen and suck out carbon dioxide, the dangerous form of gas which we cannot inhale.

Upon inhaling the excess of CO2, get ready to feel obnoxious, faint, and/or headache.

While our bodies are capable enough to suck out/exhale CO2 directly from the lungs, but there are other body parts that collect the CO2 as well.

However, the CO2 suction is kinda possible that happens naturally which almost empty out the dead air spaces.

Considering this fact, if the snorkel goes somewhat extended in the size, it becomes another dead air space put right on top of the mouth that can slow down the process of exhaling the breath.

In this case, snorkel happens to act as another dead air space which placed right on the brink of where the breath releases out.

So, the short snorkels is easier to exhale out CO2 than the longer ones.

And that is the very reason the snorkels are these short due to this whole problem of acting as the dead air space.

You can easily exhale CO2 when the mouth is empty but you cannot try bursting CO2 to go past by the snorkel tube (if it is way too long than the traditional sizes.)

Read: How Long Can You Stay Underwater With A Snorkel

How Long can a Snorkel Be?

Still a valid question — how long can a snorkel be?

Despite the fact the short snorkels is always here to pick up, the exact size is still a myth to better understand for general purpose.

And we fully agree with the need of only using short snorkels for the sake of staying safe underwater, don’t we?

So, the advised and recommended average length of the snorkel should be between 430 mm to 480 mm at max. That is the maximum snorkel length that you should always opt for and do not expect to make an extendable snorkel by any means.

Anything less or beyond these specified marks may eventually lead you to face the severe health issues.

Read: How to Snorkel without Swallowing Water

Conclusion!

So, that entirely sums up why are snorkels so short, and you would not have to find its answer anymore.

Now as it clears up this confusion, take the snorkel and go explore the blue ocean! 🙂