Snorkeling is the practice of swimming at the surface of a body of water (typically of the sea) equipped with a mask and a short tube called a snorkel, to explore the underwater environment.
It requires only regular swimming training, plus training for the breathing manoeuvre (air has to be "thrown" away, before inspiring again), but it can offer an interesting opportunity to see fishes, plants and other underwater biology.
Mask and snorkel are effectively similar to those used in Scuba diving, but as there is no immersion equipment can be more lightweight and comfortable.
The snorkeller expels water from the snorkel with a sharp exhalation on return to the surface.
Some modern snorkels have a sump in the mouthpiece to allow a small volume of water to remain in the snorkel without being inhaled when the diver breathes.
On Type VII boats the snorkel folded forward and was stored in a recess on the port side of the hull while on the IX Types the recess was on the starboard side.
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