How to Build a Snorkel
Snorkeling is a water sport that is enjoyed by many people. A snorkel is a tube, around a foot long, that allows swimmers to go explore marine life in shallow waters. While you can find snorkels in most sporting good stores, professional gear can cost quite a bit. Fortunately, you can build your own snorkel at home. Building a snorkel requires no special training. However, as a swimmer you should be familiar with water safety before using one.
Things You'll Need
- Plastic wrap
- Rubber band
- Elastic headband
- Sand
- Hair-dryer
- 18 inches of flexible plastic tubing
Instructions
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Cut 18 inches of flexible plastic tubing for your snorkel. This amount of tubing should provide enough length to also create the mouthpiece. Purchase tubing at your local home improvement store.
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Wrap plastic wrap around one end of the tube and secure it in place with a rubber band.
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3
Fill the plastic tubing with sand. The sand acts as a filler that helps the tubing keep its shape while it's being heated and bent.
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Turn on your hair-dryer to the highest setting. Aim the hair-dryer at the end of the tubing without the sand. Slowly start to create a U shape by bending it with your hands. This is the section of the snorkel that fits on your mouth so you can breathe while in the water.
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Allow the U-shaped plastic tubing to sit for a couple of hours untouched to ensure that it holds its shape. Dump the sand out of the tube. Run some water through the snorkel to make sure it is clear of extra sand. Breathe and blow through the snorkel to test it out before you head into the water.
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Use a headband to attach the long part of the snorkel to your head. Choose a band that fits securely and keeps the snorkel in place while you move about in the water. Any crimping could restrict air flow. Put the snorkel in your mouth and jump in the water.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Steve Mason/Photodisc/Getty Images
