It is important that candidates give their customers time to adjust the equipment according to their needs and assist them at this stage.

a) Mask strap.

b) Weight belt.

a) The proper sequence: ask the candidates to show the proper sequence to put on their equipment.

b) Timing and Space:

• If they have not already, have your candidates form buddy teams.
• Instruct the candidates to put on their equipment in a space roughly the same size of space that they would have on a boat.
• The buddy teams should wear their equipment so that they are both ready at approximately the same time.

c) Before entering the pool, the buddy teams should perform a buddy check.

a) Entering from the beach:

• Put your mask and snorkel on.
• Walk with your buddy until the water comes up to your waist.
• Put the fins on with the help of your buddy using the 4 position.

b) Entering from a low ledge:

• Sit on the edge with your legs in the water.
• Put your mask and snorkel on.
• Put the fins on using the 4 position while sitting.
• Place both hands on one side of your body.
• Use your arms to rotate your body.
• Turn towards your buddy and give him the OK.

c) Entering backwards:

• Stand on the edge with your back facing the water and your heels placed on the outside edge.
• With the left hand press the mask on your face.
• Put the other hand on the belt buckle.
• Fall backwards, bending at the waist and knees.
• Your backside comes into contact with the water first.
• Give your buddy the OK.

REASON:

• The proper entry allows people to start off the excursion calm and relaxed. Choose the more comfortable entry based on the conditions and platform.

SUGGESTION:

• Explain your candidates that when they enter in the water they should be able to float breathe and see, so they must enter with the mask and snorkel on.

d) Aquatic skills:

• Swim continuously 800 meter with the snorkeling gear within 15 minutes.
• Swim underwater for 27 yards or 25 meters.

REASON:

• Good aquatic skills are a fundamental prerequisite to manage a snorkeling excursion.

SUGGESTION:

• Use this exercise to let your candidates warm up.

e) Weight check:

• Put your mask and snorkel on.
• Hold your breath.
• Your head should be totally out the water.
• Totally exhale.
• You should sink below the surface with the tip of the snorkel staying out of the water.

REASON:

• to be properly weighted is fundamental to avoid get tired during the excursion and simultaneously allows to easily do surface dives.

f) Clearing the mask.

• Put your mask on.
• Lie in the water facing down.
• Use a hand to move the mask far from your face and allow a little water to enter into it.
• Move vertically.
• Move the mask far from the face.

REASON:

• Certain facial movements may break your mask’s seal and allow a little water to enter.

SUGGESTION:

• Explain your students to pay attention that the hood neither hair remain under the mask skirt.

g) Clearing the snorkel.

• Put your mask and snorkel on.
• Lie in the water facing down.
• Rotate your head down, placing the chin close to the chest, allowing water enter the snorkel.
• Put your head back.
• Blow hard into the mouthpiece.
• On your next inhalation, breathe in carefully to avoid inhaling any water still in the tube.

REASON:

• Laying on surface during the buddy supervision, water may enter the snorkel. It is fundamental be able to clear it without look away from your buddy.

a) Flutter kick:

• Lie in the water facing down.
• Stretched in arms out in front of you.
• Alternately move your legs.
• The movement should begin at the hip, not bend the knees.
• Do wide and calm movements.

REASON:

• A proper kick allows to not get tired during the excursion.

b) Dolphin kick:

• Lie in the water facing down.
• Stretched in arms out in front of you.
• Do a wave moment with your body, stating from the chest. Do not move the arms and the shoulders.
• Keep your legs straight.

REASON:

• For some people, dolphin kick is more efficient that the flutter kick.

a) Two-legged surface dive:

• Lie on your stomach with your snorkel on and your arms relaxed pointing towards the bottom of the pool.
• Put your legs together, bring the heels towards your backside and bend the knees (keeping them together).
• At the same time bring your chin against your chest and lower your shoulders.
• Extend your legs but push them out of the water.
• Keep the arms and legs in a line that is perpendicular to the water surface.
• Start kicking as soon as you feel your fins enter the water.

REASON:

• A proper surface dive allows to easily descend under the water surface.

b) Surface dive with the arms:

• Lie on your stomach with your snorkel on and your arms stretched out on the surface of the water in front of you.
• Push your arms towards your feet, passing them alongside your body with your elbows bent, then immediately after bring them above your head, keeping them straight and in front of your body, bring your chin to your chest and lower your shoulders.
• As your body bends downwards and your legs come out of the water, keep your legs vertical above your body.
• Repeat the first movement with your arms, pushing them towards your feet and keeping them alongside your body.

REASON:

• To know different surface diving technique allows student to choose the more comfortable for them.

a) Using the exit ladder.

• Remove your weight belt and passing it to those helping from the surface or placing it directly on the boat or the edge.
• Remove your fins, keeping one hand in touch with the ladder (the current in the sea can push you away from the exit point) and passing them to your buddy.
• Exit the ladder be careful to not slipper.

b) Exit a low edge.

• Remove your weight belt and passing it to you buddy.
• Place both hands on the edge and push yourself out the water using the fins.
• You can lie face down and rotate on your back, or completely extend your arms and sit directly on the edge.
• Remove your fins and take your buddy and your belt. Bring them from the end.

SUGGESTION:

• Tell your candidates that at the end of an excursion, the customers could be tired.
• It is important to use the easier exit which require less energy.

c) Beach exit.

• Walk as soon as the water reaches the height of your waist.
• Remove your fins using the 4 position while grabbing your buddy.
• When you are completely out the water, remove your mask and your snorkel.

d) Gear Cleaning and Maintenance.

At the end of this session candidates have reviewed:

• The practical exercises to practice snorkeling correctly.

• Tell the candidates the time, date and location of the next water session.

• Training Record: Both you and the students must initial and date in the appropriate space in the training record section for confined water session 1.