The reason why you do not wear gloves when diving is it protects marine life and ensures the diver's safety.
Wearing gloves when diving can encourage the divers to touch reef structures and marine life which can lead to damage and harm marine life.
Also the gloves can hinder the diver's ability to operate equipment and handle emergencies so the diver is better off without wearing gloves.
The reason why divers put their hands flat is to minimize the amount of splashing from the water and to create a more streamlined entry into the water.
The technique of putting their hands flat when diving is known as rip entry which helps the diver to penetrate the water using less resistance and a reduced splash which is crucial for scoring in competitions.
The flat hand position the diver uses, helps to break the surface tension of the water and create a rip effect which minimizes the splash from the water as the diver enters the water.
The flat and clasped hand position, when combined with a streamlined body posture also allows the diver to slice through the water with less drag.
And in competitive diving, a minimal splash is also a significant factor in scoring and a clean flat entry into the water also leads to a higher score.
Some divers will also use the position to prevent injuries, as it helps to protect the divers hands and wrists from impact as well.
The flat palms also make the "hole" in the water to enter the water and then they immediately break their arms apart to begin swimming.
When scuba diving the best hand position is to have your right hand over your mask and regulator to keep the mask and regulator in place and your left hand on your weight belt and other accessories.
Scuba divers wear diving fins on their feet.
Diving fins are also known as flippers or fins which are designed to increase the surface area of your feet, which allows for greater thrust when kicking, which makes it easier for the diver to propel themselves through the water.
Divers often also wear wetsuit booties or dive socks to protect their feet, prevent blisters and provide insulation.
You should size up one size for opened heel diving fins, especially if you're wearing wetsuit boots.
For the full foot diving fins you should use a size of diving fins which are as close to your normal shoe size as possible.
For diving fins you want a snug but not overly tight fit.
The smaller the diving fins, if they are snug you will get the best energy transfer.
Diving fins can be a little tight from top to bottom and the toes can stick out which is OK
Ideally you want the diving fins to be tight enough so they stay put on your feet but not too tight.
The difference between flippers and fins when it comes to diving is that flippers are often the full foot type of shoe fins.
And fins just mainly refer to the broader category of underwater propulsion devices.
Fins is an umbrella term that describes any device that is used to propel someone through water and also refers to both snorkeling fins and diving fins.
And flippers is often used in describing full foot fins that are worn like shoes and are popular for both warm water diving and snorkeling.
Swim fins and flippers are essentially the same thing although flippers can sometimes be stiffer than swim fins depending on the type of flippers you use.
Swim fins increase the surface area of your feet and helps you push more water and move faster.
The swim fins help you develop a stronger kick and improve your ankle flexibility and they help you maintain a higher body line that improves your body position.
Fins are better for snorkeling as they allow you to move more quickly and efficiently through the water.
Snorkeling fins are also designed to maximize efficiency in shallow water and allow you to move through the water with minimal effort while staying near the surface.
The difference between snorkeling fins and diving fins are diving fins are stiffer and heavier than snorkeling fins.
Snorkeling fins are shorter and lighter and are designed for efficient kicking at the surface of the water due to the paddle like blade.
It is hard to snorkel without flippers as the flippers help you propel through and maneuver through the water.
It's much easier to move around and push yourself forward when wearing fins or flippers when snorkeling, especially in currents.
Without flippers you will often need to use your arms to swim more which can tire you out more quickly.
You will have to work harder to move through the water without flippers or fins.
Snorkeling fins are called swim fins or diving fins or even flippers which are worn on the feet for propulsion through the water.
The best fins for snorkeling are comfortable fitting snorkeling fins that fits your feet and hugs your feet without squeezing.
You should also consider the blade design for propulsion, flexibility of material and whether or not you require adjustable straps and other features.
You should try the snorkeling fins on before you purchase to ensure they fit the best.
The kind of fin that you will be buying in snorkeling are full foot style fins which fit snugly like a shoe and are lightweight, efficient and well suited for most conditions of snorkeling.
You can also use open heel fins for snorkeling which allow you to wear dive boots for colder water or added protection.
The best size fins for snorkeling are small sized fins for beginners and larger sized fins are best for experienced snorkelers or when you need to swim against currents or go longer distances.
Bigger fins are better for snorkeling if you need more propulsion to cover long distances or to swim against currents.
However bigger fins can be harder to maneuver and may not be ideal for beginner snorkelers to wear or in shallow waters.
Smaller fins are more versatile and easier to control for most situations of snorkeling and if you're a beginner.
When snorkeling you wear fins on your feet to help you swim through the waters.
Some models of fins can be worn along with water shoes and the fins are an extension of your feet.
If wearing socks you should wear Aqua socks.
You should not snorkel when the weather is bad such as when there's heavy rain, high winds, high surf, strong current or heavy shorebreak.
You should also not snorkel in murky water or if you're feeling sick or unwell or have any medical concerns.
If you're not comfortable with the water conditions or you're not accompanied by someone else for safety reasons you should not snorkel.
When snorkeling you should avoid touching any sea creatures or coral reefs as doing so can harm them.
Also don't touch any fish or even chase fish and don't touch sea turtles, dolphins or sea floor sediment.
Stirring up any sea floor sediment can harm marine life.
The best color to wear while snorkeling is bright yellow or fluorescent orange as they are the most visible colors underwater and make you easily noticeable to others, especially if you're in murky water.
However just note that very bright colors can attract some marine life to you.
With a snorkel and flippers you can dive down to around 10 to 15 feet depending on your comfort level and breath holding ability.
For deeper dives you will require scuba gear and a tank of oxygen for breathing.
The greatest danger to snorkelers is drowning which can occur due to ocean surges, strong currents, shallow water blackout, inhaling water, cardiac arrest, being struck by a watercraft or colliding with a coral reef.
Shallow water blackout can occur when you hold your breath too long or resist the urge to come up for air.
It can lead to a lack of oxygen and a dangerous condition called hypoxic blackout.
Poor swimmers can snorkel as long as the poor swimmers wear a life jacket or snorkel vest and stay in shallow water with someone else.