Seniors should wear a
PFD when snorkelling
your opportunities. If you are not
a strong swimmer, make sure
you have access to swimming
aids. You must be comfortable
with snorkelling gear — a face
mask, snorkel, and fins — or
you may panic when you’re in
the ocean surrounded by waves,
surf, and coral. Consider taking
snorkelling classes offered by
organizations such as the YMCA
to get started in a supervised, safe
swimming pool environment.
These sessions will build your
confidence so that you can handle
the ocean. Although you may
not need a personal flotation
device in a wetsuit, it’s still a
good idea to wear one so you
don’t become fatigued. Get used
to wearing a PFD in a pool so
you’ll be better prepared for the
ocean — some PFDs tend to creep
up your chest if not properly
adjusted. Always snorkel in a
group, with a plan, so everybody
knows what’s expected. Use a
buddy system when in the water
and periodically check on your
buddy’s situation. Make sure you
know where (exactly) you’ll be
snorkelling and for how long, how
to signal your captain for help,
and what to do if you accidentally
swallow salt water — never a
pleasant experience — or lose a
fin. It’s also important to know
how to disembark from a boat or
inflatable raft so you don’t injure
yourself, and how to get back on
board — which usually means
first taking off your fins. During
an excursion to the Galapagos
Islands, Ecuadorian guides
introduced me to the “Galapagos
handshake” — a safe way to get
on and off the boat: a guide puts
his hand around
your wrist
while you put
your hand around his wrist.
Most seniors would probably
snorkel during a vacation
to tropical resorts or as an
excursion during a cruise.
However, snorkelling isn’t for
all seniors, and only appropriate
for those who are in good health
and moderately fit. Consult
your doctor if you have any
reservations about your health.
During an excursion off Moorea
in French Polynesia a few years
ago, I had to rescue a senior from
another party who got caught in
a current between two islands
and was being carried away from
his tour boat. He was exhausted,
news&views AUTUMN 2020 | 15