SCUBA Oct 2025 issue 159 | Página 65

would be foolhardy to have just one option. If you miss your primary, or are just having a lovely time, having one or more options further downstream is essential. Having early options will also help in the event that one of your group needs to call off the snorkel for any reason.

■ Obstructions and hazards- Some hazards are fixed and ever-present. Weirs are the most serious in the river environment and people die in them annually. I’ m part of a River and Flood Rescue team and can testify to the dangers and near impossibility of even strong swimmers to exit large, powerful weirs. Other hazards only become dangerous at certain states of the tide or if river levels are high. The Linn of Dee is a very pleasant snorkel in dry conditions and becomes a maelstrom in wet weather.

Similarly, locations such as the Falls of Lora and many other treacherous stretches of sea are safe if navigated around slack on Neaps.

PHOTO: RICH STEPHENSON

If in doubt find somewhere else to dive.

Fast flowing water can be safe and a huge amount of fun, but in those conditions it’ s best to keep further from rocks, walls and gullies than we otherwise might. Even a 7mm hood doesn’ t afford that much impact protection.

■ Warmth – Drifting is less effort than finning; in fact, it’ s one of its advantages. However, this joyous lack of effort also

Using the tide for a free ride

means we won’ t be generating any heat, so consider one size thicker wetsuit, or shorter in-water times.

■ Surface marker buoys – SMBs are almost always a good thing, and the benefit of Drift Snorkelling is they come along for the ride – you don’ t need to tow them. So, you can go big. We’ ve even used little rafts and filled them with snacks and cameras. �

PHOTO: DAN BOLT

For more information on snorkelling with BSAC go to bsac. com / snorkelling Looking to introduce snokelling into your club? Find out more at bsac. com / snorkellinginstructor