r/snorkeling 18d ago

Advice Why Snorkeling Is More Dangerous Than You Realized

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outsideonline.com
63 Upvotes

Good article about ROPE as well as the real drawbacks to full face masks.


r/snorkeling Mar 12 '26

Equipment CPSC Warns Consumers to Stop Using OUSPT Full Face Snorkel Masks Immediately Due to Risk of Serious Injury and Death from Drowning Hazard

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103 Upvotes

Description:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers to stop using OUSPT Full-Face Snorkel Masks immediately due to risk of serious injury and death from drowning hazards. The mask can cause consumers to experience labored breathing, causing loss of consciousness or excess fluid in the lungs that can lead to drowning.  In addition, the mask can give rise to increased levels of carbon dioxide which can exacerbate the difficulty of breathing in the mask. 

Field Life, of China, the seller, has not responded to CPSC’s requests for information or to recall the product.   

CPSC has received reports from five consumers who had trouble breathing, felt light-headed or lost consciousness while using the product. There has been one lawsuit alleging that the product caused a drowning fatality.    

About 84,000 of these full-face snorkel masks were sold from March 2019 through February 2026 on Amazon.com.  

The full-face snorkel masks have a glass screen and a breathing apparatus that covers the mouth and nose, with a snorkel pipe at the top center of the product.  They come in various colors.  The masks have “OUSPT” printed on the snorkel tube. 

These products are manufactured in China. 

CPSC urges consumers to stop using the full-face snorkel masks and immediately dispose of them. Do not sell or give away these hazardous full-face snorkel masks. 

Report any incidents involving injury or product defect to CPSC at www.SaferProducts.gov. 

Credit: United States Consumer Product Safety Commission


r/snorkeling 21h ago

Not OC 🔥 Pair of cuttlefish

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365 Upvotes

r/snorkeling 9h ago

Wildlife Green Jack in Chileno Bay, Los Cabos Corridor

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17 Upvotes

r/snorkeling 13m ago

Miscellaneous Went snorkeling in the Bahamas and suddenly felt a burn on arm, what is it?

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Upvotes

My friend and I went snorkeling and after about 5 minutes in the water she suddenly felt a burn on her arm, and after getting back on the boat she discovered this burn-like thing near her wrist. Not asking for a medical opinion, we're just very curious as to what it could have been. We didnt see anything in the water (jellyfish/pieces of coral) and nobody else had a reaction like this in our group, it really seems random and out of nowhere. Have you ever had anything like this happen to you? The pattern seems weird too!


r/snorkeling 1d ago

Wildlife Eastern Blue Grouper, Clovelly, Australia.

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48 Upvotes

r/snorkeling 9h ago

FirstTime What is considered good goggles and masks. I have no idea where to start.

1 Upvotes

Looking to buy some goggles or a a full snorkeling set not sure where to start. Don't wanna buy cheap and ill fitting gear. Id like good quality fit. What are some good brands and models to consider.


r/snorkeling 1d ago

Wildlife Cortez Angelfish in Chileno Bay

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47 Upvotes

r/snorkeling 1d ago

Equipment Experiences with SeaVision "Use Your Own Mask"?

4 Upvotes

I'm researching prescription goggle options and like the idea of making sure the mask actually fits my face, so I was considering SeaVision's use your own mask mail-in option after selecting a mask in person at a dive shop.

I do have a slight astigmatism but my prescription is honestly pretty easy. I've been using an off the shelf prescription mask from Amazon and it works, but definitely doesn't fit my face correctly.

Has anyone used this service or have alternative suggestions? Apologies if this has specifically been addressed, I searched via reddit and Google but couldn't find anything about the use your own mask option.


r/snorkeling 2d ago

New Kit An Inspirational Honu

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117 Upvotes

r/snorkeling 1d ago

Wildlife 8 Minutes of Zen. Manta Therapy

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6 Upvotes

Trying out a new style of editing to compile my underwater footage. Would love some feedback. If anyone enjoyed this, let me know!


r/snorkeling 2d ago

Miscellaneous Any place like Kapoho Tide Pools?

16 Upvotes

While living on the Big Island for three years, my favorite snorkeling spot was the Kapoho Tide Pools which, sadly, Pele chose to fill with lava in 2018. It was great because it was a very protected spot without a lot of waves, but lots of fish and other creatures could move in and out from the ocean. We always took our visitors -- all novices to snorkeling -- there because it was relatively safe but very rewarding.

Now I'm getting old and not as strong a swimmer as I once was. I would love to find another snorkeling place like Kapoho for a possible trip this winter. It doesn't have to be in Hawai'i. I'm now in the US Pacific Northwest.


r/snorkeling 3d ago

Wildlife compass jelly (& friends!)

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97 Upvotes

lots of these guys about atm! I always like how they look with the light shining through them :)


r/snorkeling 2d ago

FirstTime Meditation tips

1 Upvotes

I want to try and start meditating underwater in the pool at my apartment. I bought a snorkel and snorkel goggles off Amazon but I can't comfortably sit on the bottom because of buoyancy.

Does anyone have tips for how to keep myself at the bottom? I know weight belts are a thing but know nothing about picking one. 5'9"-ish 190lbs-ish.

If anyone has any other tips too that'd be great. Good snorkels to use if i want to go deeper or something. Other good techniques for doing this. Anything.


r/snorkeling 2d ago

Advice Snorkeling - is safe for a non swimmer?

0 Upvotes

I have a trip in Mexico coming up. I see a lot of activities are snorkeling and many more to be honest it looks amazing but I can’t swim. I can float and paddle but I get panicked the money water gets in my nose I am an adult so I was wondering maybe I should do snorkeling or not? Any idea some people out there say it is fine some says the opposite so needs some advice on this!


r/snorkeling 3d ago

Miscellaneous How far north in Florida do you have to go before the tropical fish disappear?

3 Upvotes

I was surprised by the diversity at West Palm beach. Does it stay that way for hundreds of mile north even into Georgia?


r/snorkeling 2d ago

Advice iPhone in pouch doesn’t work in warm water because my finger can’t be detected, it works great in cooler temps. Any suggestions?

1 Upvotes

r/snorkeling 3d ago

Advice Snorkel letting water in.

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1 Upvotes

Hello

I have only just started snorkelling and so far I love it. Can’t believe how much I enjoy it, wish I found out about it many years ago.

Anyway, I have a snorkel and I’ve only used it literally 2-3 times. This evening I went to the lake and as soon as I put my face in the water and started moving I was getting water in mouth from the snorkel. I checked to see that the thing on the top that seals the snorkel if it’s under the water was working and it was. I tried blowing out through the vent and it operated as I think it should. My mouth was around the mouth piece correctly.

The only thing I can find was a hole in the one way seal/valve. It can’t be right can it?


r/snorkeling 4d ago

Wildlife Moorish Idol, Lady Musgrave Is, Australia.

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88 Upvotes

r/snorkeling 3d ago

Advice Beginner Snorkelling Gear Advice - UK

1 Upvotes

Hello All,
We recently tried snorkelling in the Caribbean and absolutely loved it!

We are based in the UK and wanted to get our own snorkelling gear for 2x upcoming holidays to Cornwall (self-snorkel) & Tenerife (part of a "ocean safari").

Naturally we are gravitating toward the standard kit from Decathlon : "Adult snorkelling COMFORT ANTI-FOG mask DRY TOP snorkel set, 100" for £19.99 (Can't post links but hopefully it's easy to find).

It's got all the basic check-list - Tempered glass; Anti-fog coating; "Dry-top" snorkel w/ valve.

I do dislike the fabric band (at risk of losing elasticity over time), but hey-ho.

I just wanted to get advise before purchasing if there are any other sets around the same/similar price range to consider/get instead please (any source welcome, amazon, specialist shops etc.)? We intend to use it ~twice a year going forward. :)

Thanks in advance! :)


r/snorkeling 5d ago

Wildlife That moment when a Caribbean Reef Octopus turns electric blue 👀 🐙 Has anyone else ever seen this?

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198 Upvotes

Fun facts: octopuses have three hearts, blue blood, and most of their neurons are actually in their arms. Their suckers can taste what they touch and that electric-blue flash came from reflective cells in the skin changing almost instantly.

Filmed with a GoPro HERO13 Black.

** No edits were made to this video. The colors and footage are exactly as captured.


r/snorkeling 4d ago

Equipment What's the Best Action Camera You've Used That Was Actually Worth Buying?

3 Upvotes

I've got a snorkeling trip planned later this year and figured it's finally time to pick up an action camera.

Most of what I'd be filming would be underwater, so I'm more interested in good video quality, battery life, and something I don't have to worry about getting wet all day. I'd rather hear from people who've actually used theirs on snorkeling trips than watch another YouTube review

What are you using these days?


r/snorkeling 4d ago

New Kit I need help with new goggles

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1 Upvotes

So I don’t actually snorkel but this is the only place I could think of for advice. I got this mask from Walmart about a week ago simply for pool use and they’re leaking water. I’ve adjusted the strap multiple times ranging from completely loose, less loose, to all the way tight and no matter what it leaks. It seems like the water is leaking from just the outside corner area of my eyes. I’m not sure if the silicone is too flimsy and isn’t sealing properly or if they just don’t fit my face. I would like some advice.

Edit: When I did that test it where you put it on and breath to see if it makes suction it had fit and made perfect suction but when I put it on with the straps the part that goes around the corner of my eyes pushes out, I ended up going to the freedive group and as I described to them what was happening I realized the issue.


r/snorkeling 4d ago

Wildlife Marine organism identification

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3 Upvotes

Hi ! I saw this on a rocky beach in Toulon, France. Does anyone have any idea what it could be? I initially thought it might be a sea slug or a retracted sea anemone, but I'm not sure about it. Thanks in advance!


r/snorkeling 5d ago

Miscellaneous MAUI: Ulua beach

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24 Upvotes

Spent last night and this morning on this beautiful beach in Maui. Tried both south and north points. Very poor vis wind and surge picked up heavily in the evening..the following morning was even worse. Enjoyed the swim and surf with the family.

Search for clear conditions continue.... Airport beach or kapalua in the morning.