UNIT 2: AQUATIC ACTIVITIES

PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND HEALTH 4

UNIT 2: AQUATIC ACTIVITIES

CONTENT STANDARD PERFORMANCE STANDARD

The learner… The learner…
Demonstrates Leads recreational events with
understanding of recreation proficiency and confidence
in optimizing one’s health as resulting in independent pursuit
a habit; as requisite for and in influencing others
physical activity assessment positively.
performance, and as a
career opportunity.

I. TOPIC
SNORKELING AND SCUBA DIVING
Definition of Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
Equipment used in Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
Procedures in Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
II. INTRODUCTION
In this unit, it comprises the basic concepts of swimming which is
fundamental in doing aquatic activities. It will help to understand
further the other aquatic activities with its essential ideas and
concepts given in this unit.

III. ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS?

1. What are the difference between Snorkeling and Scuba Diving?
2. What are the different protocols that needed to be known first
before doing aquatic activities?

IV. LEARNING OUTCOMES

 Recognize different aquatic activities and its significance.
 Use protocols that is being used before, during, and after the
activity.
 Show appreciation and awareness in safety for the said
activities
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WARM UP!

Exercise: Bubbles
Direction: Get a basin/container and filled it with water, make sure that the
size of the basin/container fits on your face. This activity will help you to be
familiar with the water.
 Take a deep breathe until you have hamster cheeks.
 Submerge your face in the water
 Slowly exhale through your nose for 5 secs
 Lift your face and inhale
 Do this activity and gradually increase your exhalation time to 30 secs.
Guide Question/s
 What was your challenges you encounter as you do the activity?
 Does your breathing or feeling in your chest somewhat changes after
the activity?

DISCUSSION

DIFFERENT AQUATIC ACTIVITIES

SNORKELING
Snorkeling is an activity in which going underneath the
water through swimming to look for marine diversity with
the help of snorkel and mask. Snorkel helps individual to
go underneath the water for long periods of time without
getting to the surface to gasp for air. It is not just a
recreational activity but also used for different purposes
like, water-related studies, searching, and rescuing. This
activity also helps to improve one’s fitness. Doing flutter
kicks and swimming through the water helps to tone
muscles, it also improves cardiovascular endurance
through different breathing techniques that requires in
doing snorkeling.
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BASIC EQUIPMENT IN SNORKELING

 DIVER’S MASK – Used to see clearly
underneath the water. Some
snorkelers or divers use full mask and
some used the half mask.

 SNORKEL – a tubular equipment that helps

snorkelers and divers to breathe at the
surface while the face is submerged in the
water. Most common type of snorkel has a
barrel and a mouthpiece.

 SNORKELING FINS – Helps snorkelers

and divers to propel under water. It is
attached to the feet of the person so that it
helps have a resistance as he/she swims. It
provides necessary locomotion to propel
easily in the water.

 SNORKEL VEST – Vest that are small and

inflatable. It provides buoyancy while floating on
the water.

PROCEDURES IN DOING SNORKELING

1. TEST AND PRACTICE
- Beginners must have first an orientation about snorkeling, mostly it
is done before doing the activity. They will try the gears on shallow
water.
- It will help the snorkelers to be familiar with the equipment and also
be aware in some possibilities of danger.
2. FLOATING POSITION
- If the individual is familiar in using the equipment, they will proceed
to the floating position.
- With the help of the equipment snorkeler will find to do the activity
with ease.
3. KICKING AND MOVE
- Snorkelers must also be familiar with the fins. It will help them to
propel on the surface and underneath the water.
- It is more convenient to maintain the fins underwater, to decrease
fatigue while doing the activity.
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- Flutter stroke or kick is commonly use to snorkeling, some uses the

dolphin kick.
4. DIVING DEEPER
- To have a better view of the marine diversity, one must dive deeper
in the water.
- “Feet-First” Dive, the feet will go down first during the dive letting
the body sink down.
- “Head-First” Dive, in a streamline float position, the upper body will
submerge first into the water with the thrust of the legs to go deeper.
-
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER IN SNORKELING
S – Stay close to the shore if you’re a beginner.
N – Never do it alone. Always have a buddy.
O – One up, one down. One should be on the surface, while one will go
down in the water.
R – Rain check! Always check for weather forecast.
K – Know your surroundings.
E – Energy retention. Do not overestimate your limits.
L – Leave them alone! Do not touch or disturbed marine life.

SCUBA DIVING
Scuba is an abbreviation which stands for Self-Contained Underwater
Breathing Apparatus or SCUBA. IT is a diving method where the divers uses
breathing apparatuses and air tanks which helps them to breathe normally
underwater. These equipment they can explore the depths of water in longer
periods of time. Scuba diving as a recreation are more on exploring the marine
diversity which gives them satisfaction and enjoyment. It may also use for
different purposes like research or mostly for economy of the certain
community.

CONSIDERATIONS IN DOING SCUBA DIVING

AGE
8 yrs. old and younger are only allowed in shallow waters, to learn more on
swimming. 10 yrs. old can be qualified in Open Water Divers. 15 yrs. old and
older can be considered as a diver.

HEALTH
It is important to be physical fit in doing Scuba diving because it may need
some strenuous activities which can happen during the diving. All students
who wants learn Scuba diving will need to answer medical questionnaire
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which will evaluate their medical history. If the instructor notice something
on the student’s medical history, he will be needing a medical clearance from
a doctor. There will be temporary restriction if the students have, colds, flu,
injuries and being pregnant. It may be risky if they will continue to do the
activity.

Disability
Physically challenge individuals will undergo specialized training from an
instructor. This is to promote diving among them.

Swimming Skill
Basic requirement in Scuba diving is being comfortable in the water.
However, most scuba diving lessons will be needing basic swimming skills,
some organizations like PADI (Philippine Association
For Diving Instructors), will require basic to advance swimming skill because
it may be needed for important matters.

EQUIPMENTS NEEDED IN SCUBA DIVING

MASK – Mask helps divers to see clearly

SNORKLES – a breathing tube that helps divers to exchange breathing
underwater.
REGULATOR – controls the level of air, it is connected to the air tank to
deliver air to your mouth.
BOUYANCY CONTROL DEVICE (BCD) – helps to position divers
underwater. If the air is added to it the diver will float and if air removes the
diver will sink.
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OCTOPUS – an emergency alternative for regulator. It is usually a yellow

color tube to be easily find in times of emergency.
SUBMERSIBLE PRESSURE GAUGE (SPG) – a meter that shows the air left
in the tank.
TANK – contains pressurized air which allow divers to exchange breathing
underwater.
FINS – provides added propulsion while swimming underwater. It helps to
lessen effort to swim.
WET SUIT – suit that provides protection from the coldness of the water.
COMPUTER – device that monitors diver’s depth, time of being underwater,
and remaining safe time underwater.
KNIFE – used to cut ropes, lines or other elements.

PROCEDURES IN DOING SCUBA DIVING

PRE-DIVE
 Detailed safety check of equipment and readiness of the diver
 Observe procedures step-by-step

PRE-DIVE SAFETY CHECK

1. Check the buoyancy compensator, and other buttons that will be using
2. Check the weights
3. Check the Releases
4. Check the Air Regulator
5. Final Okay

DIVER’S PREPARATION
1. Signal (thumbs down) to descend and wait for acknowledgement from
buddy
2. Orient to some surface object for reference. Divers will also need to
orient himself by the use of compass
3. Remove the snorkel and replace it with the regulator mouthpiece
4. The timing device must be set
5. Deflate the BCD just enough so it slowly begin to go down.
6. Feet-first descend or at least the head is above the feet.

DESCENDING
Descending to water should be done in a slow and controlled way or it is
called Controlled Descent. It serves a preventive measure to the following
reasons:
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1. If ear equalization happens and the descent cannot stop, there is a risk
of an ear injury or ear barotrauma
2. To avoid divers to go down at the bottom, it may damage corals or
other aquatic life
3. Divers are need to stay close to his/her partner, if one is ahead to the
other it will be difficult to assist them especially the one who has a
slower descent

Steps to have a completed descent

1. Understand the use of the Buoyancy Compensator Device (BCD)
2. DO NOT deflate all the air from the BCD to begin Descent
3. Exhale fully to begin your descent
4. Re-establish neutral buoyancy
5. Regroup
6. Reaching the destination

ASCENDING
If one of the divers is ready to end a dive, these are the steps to be
followed:
1. Signal your buddy to ascent together
2. Begin to ascent, make sure to have an sufficient amount of air in your
tank
3. Go slowly. Check your computer and depth gauge and ascend in the
phase of 30 feet per minute.
4. Breathe continuously when ascending; do not hold breath
5. Make a safety stop when one reaches 15 feet for 3-5 minutes. To
avoid decompression sickness
6. Extends one hand over head, look up at the surface and slowly rotate
360 degrees as one ascends
7. Drift slowly to the surface. When on surface, inflate the BCD and make
a signal.

COMMON DIVE SIGNAL

Stop To descend To ascend Hold hands

“I am going down” “I am going up” “Let’s hold hands”
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“Slow down or take it easy” “Get with your buddy” “Who will lead, who will “Boat”
follow”

“Which direction?” “Turn Around” “Level off at this depth” “Something is wrong”

ARE YOU OKAY? OR OKAY?

An “okay” that is needed to (wearing gloves) (on the surface or at the (one hand is occupied, and
be responded with the distance) at the surface)
same signal.

“Distress” or “Help me” “I’m low on air” “I’m out of air” “Let’s share air”

“Danger in that direction” “Danger” “Come here” “Watch” or “Look”

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“Me” or “I” “Under” ,“Over” or “Go that way” “Ear(s) not clearing”
“Around”

I am cold Think or remember I don’t know

IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER IN DOING SCUBA DIVING

BEFORE DIVING
 Make sure that you are fit to dive.
 Listen and follow the instruction and the dive guide.
 Plan your depth, time and safety stop with your buddy.
 Match your dives according to your skill.
 Always check your equipment.

DURING THE DIVE

 Breathe normally, never hold it.
 Equalize your ears frequently.
 Stay always with your buddy and your guide.
 Always check your Gauge.
 Dive within the limit of your computer.
 Avoid overexerting yourself.
 Avoid touching anything, unless it is necessary.
 Always listen to your guts. If it is exceeding your limit please stop it.
 Establish neutral buoyancy in finishing descent.
 Always make safety stop.

AFTER DIVE
 Store all the equipment in the boat or in the dock.
 Discuss with you guide and buddy the improvement you need for your
next dive.
 If you feel something unpleasant, notify the others.
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REFERENCES

BOOKS

Aparato C., Brebante Z., Callo L., & Dajime P. (2017). Physical Education and
Health (Volume II). Rex Book Store Inc.

ONLINE RESOURCES

Recreational Scuba Training Council. (2005). Common Hand Signals for

Recreational Scuba Diving. http://www.neadc.org/CommonHand
SignalsforScubaDiving.pdf

EXERCISES

EXERCISE 3.1 (PICTURE DEMONSTRATION)

Directions: Memorize the Common Hand
Criteria
Signals and recreate a version of yourself
Presentation 40%
remodeling the signals. Please make sure
Technicalities 35%
that you will include your upper body in the
Correctness 15%
demonstration. You will be graded base on
Creativity 10%
the given criteria. Remember to submit in
TOTAL 100%
PDF file.

EXERCISE 3.2 (ADVERTISEMENT VIDEO)

Directions: Surf the internet and pick one
snorkeling spot here in the Philippines. Criteria
Create a short ad video about the place. Make Presentation 50%
sure you will be able to convince your Creativity 35%
classmates and teacher that the place you Advertisement 15%
have picked out is indeed a snorkeling spot TOTAL 100%
for them to go to. Be creative with your ad
and in your presentation. You will be graded
based on the given criteria.