Lifeguards and attendees offer a hands on demonstration of how the different types of snorkel masks work, including the increasingly popular full face ones that some say are a problem. It’s all part of a snorkeling safety workshop exploring why snorkeling is the No. 1 cause of drownings among visitors in the state. It was held in the Rainbow Suite in the Hilton Hawaiian Village. This is Laola Aea trying on the full face snorkel as Mollie Foti looks on (Mollie’s husband Dr. Philip Foti was one of the speakers at the workshop), Laola said the mask was uncomfortable and too confining and that she preferred the regular snorkel mask. (PHOTO BY DENNIS ODA / Star Advertiser)
By Nina Wu | The Honolulu Star-Advertiser
HONOLULU —The Pride of Maui, a company that offers snorkel tours and cruises, has recently announced it will no longer allow the use of full-face snorkel masks on its catamarans due to safety concerns.
The announcement was on the company’s Instagram feed earlier this month, and refers followers to the of its website, which explains that the decision was based on its experience with guest safety, in-water communication and comfort.