Accessorize!
Lots of Goodies for Fun in the Water
Article by Joel Simon

In preparation for this article, I walked into one of my local dive shops, announced proudly that I was a snorkeler, not a diver, and I was in the market for some additional equipment. The implication of dollars quickly caught the attention of the young sales attendant. Looking up from glossy pages showing blue water splashed with colorful reef fish, he politely said, "Hi, my name’s Phil. What do you need?" I thought about this question for a moment. It was a good question. A right question. One I’d asked myself many times, without coming to a definite conclusion. "I have what I need already", I responded, "Now I’m in the market for ‘accessories’, all the things I WANT!" "Oh goodie", said Phil, clasping his hands together, then closing the magazine, "you came to the right place!"

"So Phil, you have snorkeling accessories here?" I casually asked. Now it was his turn to think for a moment, which he did with an appropriate appearance of concern. First turning one way, then the other, he was quickly surveying the store’s entire inventory: colorful hanging displays, glass counter tops, the undercounter shelves, cardboard boxes under undercounter shelves, pegboard walls punctuated with masks, fins, and snorkels in yellow, pink, blue, and green. Then the photo area, the book and magazine racks, the wetsuit area, the drysuit area, the B.C. area, the underwater lights display, the tank filling station behind the open curtain, the board listing upcoming certification courses and store sponsored vacation packages to warm water dive your dream destinations. "Yes," he said tentatively, "except that some of this stuff also gets used by divers." That worked for me.

Phil in the dive shop had made a good point. When it comes to equipment, there is indeed some overlap. "OK, Phil, let’s take a look", I said.

"So I’m sure you have a mask?," he asked almost apologetically.

"Yes," I answered.

"I know technically a mask is not an accessory, in fact it’s probably the most essential piece of equipment, but today there are so many options and features you should know about. Do you have a silicone mask? ... they really do last longer, much longer than the old rubber ones. I’m sure you remember those. And silicon makes a better seal around your face, and is much more comfortable.

"Yes, I have a silicon mask." I answered. And he was right. Silicon is a tremendous improvement over the older rubber masks.

Noticing my glasses, he added, a prescription mask or do you use contacts? "Yes: a prescription mask," I answered. Corrective lenses have made a world of difference to me. My recommendation: If you need them, or even want them, make the investment and get them.

Estimating my age pretty accurately he continued.

"Let’s see, you’re about bifocal age? aren’t you?"

Uh-ha, I responded, nodding.

"Got a bifocal mask yet?"

"Unt-uh," wagging my head no, "not quite yet."

"Nowadays, or even tomorrow, you can get these little plastic or glass reading lenses. Just glue them in place either in conventional or prescription masks. Makes a big difference. All my Dad’s friends love them.

"How about a new snorkel?" he asked, waving his arm casually at the brilliant line-up. "I’ve got some here: fancy purge valves top and bottom that really work, comfortable silicon mouthpieces, ergonomic curves, all different colors." I told him I had a snorkel.

"And fins?" asked Phil. "You’re probably still using those heavy old black ones that never wear out. Like the kind in our garage".

"Mine are white, otherwise you’re correct," I replied. Phil showed me several new pairs of lightweight fins ideal for snorkeling, including some with adjustable straps. These facilitate the use of neoprene booties, a kind of rubber slipper that protects feet and toes from abrasion. Due to their buoyancy, they also help keep snorkelers easily horizontal in the water. Booties can be invaluable for beach entries and exits, where rocks and coral rubble can be uncomfortable or worse on bare feet. Plus, they keep feet just a pleasant bit warmer.

"I appreciate the updates, Phil, but remember, I’ve got my basic equipment already. How about some accessories?" "Coming right up", he promised.

And first up was the "snorkelsuits" section. Despite bikini-clad models basking in sun drenched tropical advertisements, many real-life snorkelers know that floating over a coral reef is the perfect opportunity for an unforgettable sunburn. Today’s choices for protecting sensitive skin range from waterproof suntan lotion to the popular full body Lycra suits. These suits come in an increasingly flamboyant array of colors and patterns, and due to nearly limitless elasticity, sometimes fit all too well. Although Lycra doesn’t offer much thermal protection, these suits do insulate from the sun, the occasional stinging zooplankton or jellyfish, possible coral abrasions, and other unwanted collisions that could injure bare skin. Lycra does a good job, but almost any kind of attire from pajamas to long-sleeve T-shirts will also offer similar protection.

Phil asked me, "Do you get cold in the water, Joel?" Yes, I’m human, I answered to myself. Stretching out a couple of green and purple sleeves from the rack of hanging suits, he continued. Polartech and neoprene suits will help keep you warmer while snorkeling, even in the tropics. They come in full body or "shortie" versions. Rummaging through a box, and then like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a black hat, "Oh look, Joel, here’s some hoods as well. And in bright colors, these make a snorkeler more visible in the day. Did you know most body heat is lost through your head?" I couldn’t discern if he was asking or telling me. Not when you wear a hood, he assured me.

Neoprene suits, hoods, and booties will add buoyancy. For some snorkelers, the more securely they float, the happier they are. Wearing foam belts around the waist, or water-ski-type jackets can add floatation confidence. Other snorkelers prefer to adjust their buoyancy, giving them freedom to easily dive and explore under the water. A modest weight belt will compensate for neoprene suits and for the natural buoyancy many people experience in salt water. Used in tandem with a lightweight inflatable snorkeling vest, this combination adds both versatility and safety. Vests are also a logical place to attach a small but powerful whistle, just in case you ever need to attract some attention.

Snorkelers have other options for flotation, including those that add mobility such as kayaks and so-called "boogie boards". Kayaking is becoming increasingly popular, and these lightweight, yet sturdy "vessels" make excellent platforms from which to explore relatively calm marine environments. Before you jump off, just make sure you know how to get back on!

"Do you surface dive, Joel? How deep do you go?? Oh, I don’t really care" said Phil, "but thought perhaps you might. Here, take a look at this nifty little capillary depth gauge. Just wear it like a watch." I hadn’t seen one of these in years, a simple flat disk holding a circular clear plastic tube. Water enters the tube and shows the depth. No moving parts, yet very accurate in the shallows and virtually indestructible. Perfect for snorkelers and inexpensive. Phil also showed me some economical digital dive watches in case I was curious how long I was in or under the water, and some small round submersible thermometers so I’d know how cold I should feel.

Phil was on a roll. "Now that we’re talking wrists ... look at these adjustable lanyards. You can easily fasten anything on to your wrist with these." I asked Phil for a few examples. Except for your snorkeling buddy, the suggestions are good ones.

Underwater Lights. There is an assortment of small submersible dive lights ideal for snorkeling. These can be used in the day, especially for illuminating dark areas under coral ledges, and of course for night snorkeling. Before purchasing a light, be sure you understand it’s operation, maintenance, and how long a set of batteries may last. Some fancy lights burn bright, but for a short time, or require specialized batteries and bulbs that can be difficult to find in remote snorkeling areas. In general, for snorkeling, a small simple light is best.

"Happy Snap" Cameras! Snorkelers can be enthusiastic underwater photographers. A wide variety of cameras can be used while snorkeling, but the small single-use models, or the "little yellow ones" tend to be the most popular. They are relatively inexpensive, easy to use, and can produce surprisingly pleasant images. They are also easily carried on a wrist while in the water. Check to see if your chosen camera includes its own elastic wrist strap, or some other method of securely carrying it around while snorkeling.

Waterproof plastic fish cards! This is one of my personal favorites and has been consistently popular among snorkelers over the years. Little colorful drawings (or photos) of the most prevalent reef fish (and invertebrates) make identification more immediate, more positive, and a lot of fun. Fish ID cards are available in several editions; Caribbean, Hawaii, Australia, etc. In addition to the cards, there are also waterproof fish ID books which can be dripped on or even used while snorkeling. And Phil is right, a wrist lanyard is an ideal way to carry books or cards around in the water.

This put us in the instructional media section of the store where a variety of magazines, videotapes, CD-roms, and books on marine life were available. "These resources are as valuable to snorkelers as they are for divers", said Phil picking up the magazine he was reading when I first walked in. "Here, take a look at this for example," he said with a sly smile. He leafed through a few pages, then opened up to the Snorkeling Tourbook Editorial Page! Oh, we had a good laugh over that. He’d suspected all along that my goal was information rather than purchases. With Phil’s valuable assistance, we defined many snorkeling accessories, and agreed that, at least for some of them, divers could use them too.

We continued our tour winding and weaving through the racks of gear. My guide was never at a loss for words, or enthusiasm, as together we explored snorkeling applications for a variety of submersible equipment.