fbpx
SUPPORTING KAUAI COUNTY LIFEGUARDS SINCE 2003

Snorkeling Safety Tips

Snorkelers account for 40% of all drownings on the island of Kauai

Please watch this instructional video in order to prepare yourself as well as share this information with others.

Alohi:

Aloha, this is Alohi Costa, one of your lifeguards at Poipu lifeguard tower. Did you know that snorkelers account for 40% of all drownings in Hawai’i? Some key points to remember include knowing how to use the snorkel gear you may have purchased or rent. And because conditions change daily, you should always ask one of us where the best place to snorkel is. And always snorkel with a buddy. 

NARRATOR:

If you are not experienced with snorkeling you should take a beginner’s snorkeling course with a certified instructor. Proper, secure fitting of your snorkel equipment is most important. Make sure no hair is trapped or interferes with the secure seal around your face, making size adjustments of your strap is important. Having it fit to the contours of your face will prevent leaks. If water does leak from the bottom of the mask, adjust your strap from the back of your head. This will readjust the mask to a lower portion of your face. The snorkel tube is on the left side of your mask. The mouthpiece is curved for comfort to fit all snorkelers exclusively from this side. If you experience a surge of water from your snorkel tube it is because your head is tipped too far underwater. If that occurs, resurface and clear the tube. Because water is 800x thicker than air you need to move slowly with wide leg and arm motions, that way you will become part of the environment rather than just an observer.

Here are some quick tips:
  • Consider a snorkeling course with a certified instructor.
  • Ask a lifeguard where it’s safe to snorkel
  • Be sure no hair interferes with the seal around your face
  • Adjust the strap from the back of your head
  • Only breath through the mouthpiece
  • Water will surge through the tube if your head is too deep… resurface to blow and clear the tube
  • Periodically check to be sure that you are not drifting out to sea
  • Ask about rent a dry snorkel
  • If you are having difficulty with currents or a snorkel device, remain calm, do not panic

Snorkeling Safety on Kauai

We are concerned with your safety and health while you are on Kauai. There has been a noticeable increase in snorkeling related deaths in Hawaii. On Kauai, snorkelers account for 40% of drownings on the island. The Hawaii Health Department reports an increase in snorkel related deaths from 16 in 2014 to 31 in 2018. Department of Health officials say there are an average of 21 fatal drownings among snorkelers each year and 92-percent of those victims are visitors. The data is from 2009 and 2018.

This raises the question, is snorkeling safe? We are going to walk you through some tips on how to snorkel safely to help ensure you and your loved ones stay safe in the Kauai waters. 

On top of the things that you should always to do maintain Hawaii ocean safety, there are some other precautions you should take when snorkeling to decrease the chances of drowning.

First, always check the conditions before entering the water. High surf, heavy wave breaks, shore pound, strong winds, and invisible currents can all make for dangerous waters and are bad conditions for snorkeling. If the beach is lifeguarded, check with a guard that the conditions are safe before you go out. 

Second, try to always snorkel with a partner. Snorkeling alone is a lot more dangerous than with a buddy, having someone else is always more enjoyable and you can keep an eye on each other to make sure you’re safe in the water.

Avoid rocky areas and shallow reefs, these areas make it difficult to stand or tread water and this can cause panic which will make you more unsafe.

Conserve your energy by relaxing and floating as much as you can. Kick through the water to propel yourself forward as necessary but try to maintain a nice, relaxed floating body in the water so you do not tire yourself out in case you need to use your strength to exit waters safely.

Never touch the coral or marine life. It is important to us that you respect the underwater world you are entering. Coral reefs can be incredibly painful if you scratch your skin on them and contact with humans can kill the reefs. On the islands, our ecosystem is a fragile one and we implore our visitors to respect the Aina (Hawaiian word for earth) while they are here. 

Always be sure that you understand your snorkeling equipment and that it fits you correctly, leaks in your mask and loose fins can be a hindrance to your safety.

If you are planning a day at the beach, Poipu Beach has some of the best snorkeling in Kauai and it is also a lifeguarded beach, so you can feel safer snorkeling.