GUIDELINES FOR SAFE SNORKELLING ON CORAL REEFS

At Reef EcoTours we are proud of our 100% accident-free record. Snorkelling on coral reefs should be a safe, interesting, and relaxing experience, provided a few basic rules are followed. These points below are the things we discuss in all our pre-snorkel safety briefings, and we offer them here in the interest of safe snorkelling on Magnetic Island for everybody.

• Adjust all mask and snorkel settings for comfort and fit on the beach first - it is difficult to do once you are already in the water.

• Remember to spit saliva onto the glass of the mask and then rinse before starting the snorkel, otherwise the mask will fog up.

• If you have to make an adjustment while snorkelling, look for an area of sand or bare reef and gently put your fins down and then fix your gear. Don't stand on live corals (they will break), and don't tread water over the sand as this will stir up sediment which smothers the coral.

• You can gently touch most corals, other invertebrates, and seaweeds on the reef with safety – just follow the rule "if it looks sharp or spiky – DON’T TOUCH!".

• Don’t pick up any shells while snorkelling – there are cone shells on the reefs at Magnetic Island, and these can give a poison sting.

• Don’t put your hand into any caves or holes on the reef. They could be the home of a Moray eel, which may bite your hand in fright.

• If snorkelling in shallow water, be aware of the position of your knees in relation to the coral, or else you may get a coral cut.

• Wash all coral cuts thoroughly as soon as you are out of the water, and treat them several times per day with antiseptic cream or solution until healed, to avoid infections.

• Look out for stingrays when walking in shallow water - keep your feet shuffling close to the bottom rather than lifting and stomping. If a stingray is startled and swims nearby, keep still with your feet firmly on the ground - don’t jump around or try to run away!

• Rinse your ears out with freshwater after every snorkel, and rinse with "aqua-ear" (or other alcohol-based ear drops) after the last snorkel of the day, to minimise the risk of outer ear infections.

• Remember to equalise the pressure in your ears if diving down while snorkelling - do it early and often (as a guide - once for every meter you descend). If it hurts - stop! Failure to do so will result in barotrauma (burst blood capillaries) in your middle ear, which then usually leads to infection.

• Stay with the group during the snorkelling sessions - don’t drift off on your own. If you get caught in a current you can’t swim against, swim across it towards shore or shallower water. Don’t go snorkelling by yourself or at night.

• If swimming or snorkelling, always beware of boats coming past. Wave to make sure the boat driver can see you. Boat propellers and human limbs do not mix!!!

• If you see a shark while snorkelling, just keep quiet and observe it, don’t panic. The sharks around Magnetic Island are never aggressive towards a large group of people in the water.

• If you have some problem in the water (cold, cramp, asthma, etc) let the group leader know ASAP. If you can’t get their attention, wave with one arm above your head to the shore-based lookout.