Snorkel help...

[shewasmyshadow]

So, awhile back I told you guys my husband and I are planning a trip to Playa del Carmen. Well, we bought our snorkel gear here in the states, so we could practice and get used to it. This is something I've never done before. :doh: So, today we tried out our gear for the first time (in a pool) and I HATED IT. I did terrible. I don't like the fins that came with my snorkel set and I did not do well breathing through my snorkel, plus my mask leaked because of my hair (I have a lot of hair). I used to struggle with breathing when I was doing regular swimming-flip turns, during lap swimming strokes, etc. I have a deviated septum in my nose, so those kind of things were always hard. I thought, though, with the mask I would do fine. I think I'm experiencing what Cheval said she struggled with. It feels claustrophobic!! Like I was on the verge of panic. My husband, though, did fine. Was able to do it as if he'd done if for years.

So here's my questions...

Does it get easier? How long does it take for it to get easier? And any tips?? Thanks.

We have a membership to the YMCA and so we have excess to a pool. We are leaving for Playa next Saturday.

[WashingtonBay]

I dinked around with snorkeling a lot growing up on a lake but was never very good at it. If I stayed at the surface and never went under, I did learn to breathe through it in time, but it IS counter-intuitive to me. I never got to the point where I could go under and then "blow it out" and continue breathing. I could never get the water out.

On the mask, I think fit may be everything, and I might go see if you can go to a dive shop and try on a few others. You should be able to put it on and suction it to your face even without the strap.

What was wrong with the flippers? Also might be a fit thing.

[shewasmyshadow]

Well, I'm kind of stuck with the equipment that I have. We're only going for 4 days and 3 nights, so I can't justify getting more equipment for this trip. Maybe next time, though... We don't even know if we're going to enjoy it, since we've never done real snorkeling before.

I wondered about the mask fit, WB. It does not have good suction and my face is pretty small. The fins fit, but the design is all wrong. We used to use fins for swim lessons growing up and those made me feel like I had WINGS!! I could swim super fast and tread water easy. These felt like they were counter productive. They don't seem to help me at all and they made my ankles hurt like crazy.

Everything worked great for hubby, though, but then again he's twice my size. I guess we'll go again and try some more. I might just lay in the bathtub and practice breathing. Something super basic like that...

[cheval]

No it doesn't get easier. If you hate it now, you're only going to keep hating it. I tried and tried the whole week we were in Hawaii. Then I tried again on the cruise to the Bahamas this year! It was a bummer because it really looks fun.

I have a deviated septum too (less of one since I had surgery on my nose in 2008). But it was the claustrophobic part that got to me too much.

[shewasmyshadow]

Oh, great... :( I was afraid that is what you were going to say. Well, before I give up I'm going to do yahoo answers and see if an expert will give me some tips. I am willing to try again and see if I can't get it. I did swim laps with the mask on and I did OK. Not great, but okay. I also did some very shallow swimming with all the equipment and did fine. It's just the distance thing that I can't do. Of course, it's the distance stuff that I need for snorkeling. Well, thank you for posting cheval. I appreciate your input.

[cheval]

There may be a way to get a better fitting mask - there's tons of people out there with septum issues. But the whole having it on your face and not being able to relax enough. That may eventually work itself out for you. It just never did for me. I was really hoping when I was in Antigua I could make a go of it, but I just couldn't. I hated having it on my face. :(

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

The mask shouldn't be claustrophobic.... I wouldn't think. But then I don't have much of a claustro- sort of fear base to speak from. Seems to me that a better fitting mask, maybe one with better peripheral vision, would solve much of this. Maybe?

[shewasmyshadow]

The mask shouldn't be claustrophobic.... I wouldn't think. But then I don't have much of a claustro- sort of fear base to speak from. Seems to me that a better fitting mask, maybe one with better peripheral vision, would solve much of this. Maybe?

It's the restricted breathing that causes it to feel claustrophobic. Have you tried it? It's a very unique feeling...

[cheval]

Ragnar it very much is a claustrophobic issue and for many people. I talked to several after my experience in Hawaii and especially before I went on the cruise. They said the same thing I experienced that once you experience that feeling it is almost impossible to be able to snorkel comfortably. Some people can overcome it but most can't.

[luv2show]

I have chlostrophobia, and I had a panic attack the first time I went.
When you wear the goggles, it makes it look like you're in a crater when you're around the coral and that freaked me out. I still don't like it but when I relax and concentrate on my breathing it's MUCH more enjoyable. I guess I have to get into a mindset before I can go in... although when you see a cool fish that usually makes it better hehehe

[shewasmyshadow]

I bought a junior sized mask and it feels much more secure. :) I also chatted with my cousin-he was a diving instructor. He said put on your mask and snorkel, then lay down in the bathtub. Just do it for like 1/2 hr at a time. It will help you get more comfortable and relax. He said the trick is to relax your breathing-one thing that IS difficult when you're panicking. :rolleyes: So, that is where the bathtub comes in.

I am going to try again at the YMCA pool today. If that doesn't work, then tonight the bathtub and I have a date!