Editing Snorkeling (section)

== Practice of snorkeling ==
[[File:Sea Garden of BUNAKEN.jpg|thumb|Snorkeler with mask and snorkel]]
Snorkeling is an activity in its own right, as well as an adjunct to other activities, such as breath-hold diving, [[spearfishing]] and [[scuba diving]],<ref name="NOAA Diving Manual 1979" /> and several competitive [[underwater sports]], such as [[underwater hockey]] and [[finswimming]]. In all cases, the use of a snorkel facilitates breathing while swimming at the surface and observing what is going on under the water.

Being non-competitive, snorkeling is considered more a leisure activity than a [[sport]].<ref name="Jennings2007" /> Snorkeling requires no special training, only the very basic swimming abilities and being able to breathe through the snorkel.<ref name="Fodor's1988" /> Some organizations, such as the [[British Sub-Aqua Club]], recommend that for snorkeling safety one should not snorkel alone, but rather with a "[[buddy diving|buddy]]", a [[guide]] or a tour group.<ref name=safety /> Snorkelers may progress to [[free-diving]] or [[recreational scuba diving]], which should be preceded by at least some training from a dive instructor or experienced free-diver.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New to scuba diving? |website=British Sub-Aqua Club |url=https://www.bsac.com/training/learn-to-scuba-dive/new-to-scuba-diving-q/ |access-date=2025-01-27 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Underwater photography ===
[[File:Snorkeling - GOPR7035.jpg|thumb|Children snorkeling in [[Taiwan]]]]
[[Underwater photography]] has grown in popularity since the early 2000s as waterproof cameras became affordable to recreational users. Many snorkelers now carry a waterproof camera with them while they snorkel and may record photographs or video clips and later share them on social media platforms or post them to other websites. 

This mass of documentation has enormous scientific potential, as millions of tourists are able to cover greater areas than professional scientists whose field-study time is limited. Various [[citizen science]] programs have emerged to realize this potential. Thus underwater photographs of natural subjects become database records of geo-located and time-stamped species observations. The observed species may be identified by the contributor or by other website users or team members, depending on the platform. Various protocols for organization and self-directed study for snorkelers interested in natural science also exist. At [[Réunion island]], these approaches have resulted in many new records and even the discovery of new species.<ref name="CBM2018" />

Many underwater photographs taken by snorkelers can be seen and used by scientists via the website [[iNaturalist.org]]. There, website users identify and verify the subjects of the photographs. This creates valuable data for the use of professional scientists and environmental managers around the world.

=== Safety ===
[[File:Schnorchelweste snorkel vest.JPG|thumb|Snorkel vest]]
Some commercial snorkelling organizations require snorkelers at their venue to wear an inflatable vest, similar to a [[personal flotation device]]. They are usually bright [[Yellow (colour)|yellow]] or [[Orange (colour)|orange]] and have a device that allows users to inflate or deflate the device to adjust their buoyancy. However, these devices hinder and prevent a snorkeler from free diving to any depth. Especially in cooler water, a wetsuit of appropriate thickness and coverage may be worn; wetsuits do provide some buoyancy without as much resistance to submersion. In the tropics, snorkelers (especially those with pale skin) often wear a [[rashguard]] or a shirt and/or [[board shorts]] in order to help protect the skin of the back and upper legs against sunburn.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}}

The greatest danger to snorkelers are inshore and leisure craft such as jet skis, speed boats and the like. A snorkeler is often submerged in the water with only the tube visible above the surface. Since these craft can ply the same areas snorkelers visit, the chance for accidental collisions exists. Sailboats and sailboards are a particular hazard as their quiet propulsion systems may not alert the snorkeler of their presence. A snorkeler may surface underneath a vessel and/or be struck by it. Few locations demarcate small craft areas from snorkeling areas, unlike that done for regular beach-bathers, with areas marked by buoys. Snorkelers may therefore choose to wear bright or highly reflective colors/outfits and/or to tow [[dive flag]]s on floats to enable easy spotting by boaters and others.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}}

Snorkelers' backs, ankles, and rear of their thighs can be exposed to the sun for extended periods, and can burn badly (even if slightly submerged), without being noticed in time. Wearing appropriate covering such as a "[[rash guard]]" with SPF (in warmer waters), a T-shirt, a wetsuit, and especially "waterproof" sunblock will mitigate this risk.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}}

Dehydration is another concern. Hydrating well before entering the water is highly recommended, especially if one intends to snorkel for several hours. Proper hydration also prevents cramps. Snorkelers who hyperventilate to extend sub-surface time can experience [[hypocapnia]] if they hyperventilate prior to submerging. This can in turn lead to "[[Freediving blackout#Shallow_water_blackout|shallow water blackout]]". Snorkeling with a buddy and remaining aware of the buddy's condition at all times may help avoid these difficulties.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dive-Tech: TDI Nitrox, Helitrox, Trimix and technical diver training courses with instructor Mark Powell |url=http://www.dive-tech.co.uk/ |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=dive-tech.co.uk}}</ref>

When snorkeling on or near [[coral reef]]s, care must be exercised to avoid contact with the delicate (and sometimes sharp or stinging) coral, and its venomous inhabitants, usually by wearing protective gloves and being careful of one's environment. Coral scrapes and cuts often require specialized first aid treatment and potentially, emergency medical treatment to avoid infection. Booties and surf shoes are especially useful as they allow trekking over reefs exposed by low tide, to access drop-offs or deeper waters of the outer reef—practices which are, however, considered ecologically irresponsible.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Snorkel Etiquette|url=https://reefmask.com.au/blogs/snorkeling/snorkel-etiquette|access-date=2021-03-15|website=Reef Mask|language=en}}</ref>

Contact with coral should always be avoided, because even boulder corals are fragile. Fin contact is a well-known cause of coral reef degradation.

Another safety concern is interaction and contact with the marine life during encounters.  While seals and sea turtles can seem harmless and docile, they can become alarmed if approached or feel threatened.  Some creatures, like moray eels, can hide in coral crevices and holes and may bite fingers in response to prodding.  For these reasons, snorkeling websites often recommend an "observe but don't touch" etiquette when snorkeling.<ref name=etiquette />

===Snorkeling locations===
[[File:Hanauma Bay snorkelers 1973.png|thumb|Snorkeling in [[Hanauma Bay]], [[Oahu]], [[Hawaii]], in&nbsp;1973.]]
[[File:Snorkelers watching fish.jpg|thumb|Snorkelers observing fish in [[Cozumel]], Mexico]]
Snorkeling is possible in almost any body of water, but snorkelers are more likely to be found in locations where the water is warm, waves are small and there is something particularly interesting to see near the surface such as a reef or a shipwreck.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Can't get overseas? Holiday like the Hemsworths instead|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TAWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Ftravel%2Fin-the-footsteps-of-chris-hemsworth-on-lord-howe-island%2Fnews-story%2F5a2b13be262c396b3b237950020b03b8&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&nk=dcea827a5a23fbee0d1b3a8107896145-1615794436|access-date=2021-03-15|website=theaustralian.com.au}}</ref>

Generally shallow reefs ranging from {{convert|1|to|4|m|ft|sp=us|0}} are favored by snorkelers. Enough water cover to swim over the top without kicking the bottom is needed, but isolated shallow structure can be approached from the sides. Deeper reefs can also be explored, but repeated breath-holding to dive to those depths limits the number of practitioners, and raises the bar on the required fitness and skill level. Risk increases with increased depth and duration of the breath-hold excursions from the surface.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}}

Some less commonly snorkeled bodies of water include sinkholes, lakes and rivers.

Snorkeling locations are often listed and described in publications promoting both diving and snorkeling in a particular region. [[Lonely Planet]] has published many of these, including several focusing on nations in the [[Caribbean]]. Great Barrier Reef, Mexico, Belize, Bonaire, Bahamas, Galápagos Islands, Hawaiian Islands and Indonesia are some of the most loved snorkeling destinations in the world.

===Variants and related activities===
*[[Bog snorkeling]]: An individual [[sport]], popular in the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Australia]].
*[[Finswimming]]: An individual competitive speed and endurance [[sport]], the most popular competitive sport of CMAS, the only sport of this federation present in [[World Games]]. Finswimmers use a slightly different snorkel, suited for hydrodynamics and speed.
*[[Free-diving]]: Any form of diving without breathing apparatus, but often referring to competitive [[apnea]] as a sport.
*[[Scuba diving]]: A form of untethered diving using a self-contained portable breathing apparatus, frequently as a [[pastime]].
*[[Spearfishing]]: Fishing with a [[spear]] often with snorkeling equipment, either for competitive sport or to obtain food.
*[[Underwater hockey]]: A competitive team-sport played in [[swimming pool]]s using snorkeling equipment, [[Hockey stick|stick]]s and a [[Puck (sports)|puck]].
*[[Underwater rugby]]: A competitive team-sport played in deeper [[swimming pool]]s using snorkeling equipment, [[baskets]] and a [[ball]].