Should I wear a snorkel or not

[Divin'Papaw]

Over 2.5 years and this thread just keeps going.

I still only use a snorkel for snorkeling/freediving.

This is one of those threads that can be interesting to read but I'm not sure it changes anyone's mind.

 

[JMarc]

This is one of those threads that can be interesting to read but I'm not sure it changes anyone's mind.

Let's hope it will change the mind of those who think it useful to have their snorkel strapped to their mask at 40m deep. That you find it useful to carry a snorkel for all your dives or only for those for which the usage may be pertinent is another question, probably more related to the kind of dives you do.

 

[IrishLoaf]

Interesting topic. Stuff I would never have thought of without reading it here.

I can understand why in training, an instructor would say to leave a snorkel behind or remove one from the student for some skills. I get the theory behind it is that no matter what air conservation methods you use, a snorkel can be added to them all for additional air conservation time on a calm surface.

I can also understand the chances of needing a snorkel to save your life compared to using the rest of your gear and your buddy's gear, is probably a ridiculously low number. Stuck in water at eye level, weights dropped, broken BCD that can't be filled orally, out of air, and need to breathe. You could make a Hollywood movie just out of such a situation and probably have a mind-boggling debrief report explaining how it all came to that.

Wouldn't you also be shaking your head if it turned out that in one situation a diver has spent thousands on certs and gear and just needed a two-dollar piece of plastic to make it out of a bad spot?

When snorkeling (not diving), I blow water out of the tube like a mammal's blowhole. I like how it feels and sounds. I also enjoy how it sends cold water flying at the new bathers going in, to hear them shout at you after. Fin away smiling to strike another day.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Let's hope it will change the mind of those who think it useful to have their snorkel strapped to their mask at 40m deep.

It won't.

 

[Waterwulf]

I've been diving for fifty five years and have carried a snorkel on every one of those dives. In my NAUI class, there was training for it's proper use. Most of the time, it was on my mask but sometimes if there were overhead obstructions, I stuck it in my knife straps. Honestly, I don't think I've ever dove with a partner who didn't have one with them! In fifty five years of diving, I have had to use it at least once for an emergency. It is doubtful that either one of us would have survived without our snorkels.

I have seen divers getting ready for their dives and checking their gear over and over again making sure all was right. I've watched spare masks and fin straps and and extra computers and mini air bottles and fifteen whistles and extra line cutters and cord and an extra glove, etc. etc. all getting stuffed into assorted pockets on themselves. What? No toilet paper? Sheesh! I always asked myself why do they carry all that junk and no snorkel? If you can't find place for a little plastic tube, you're not trying hard enough!

Do whatever you want. I'm enjoying the conversation but I really don't care if you have one of not. I guess it's a personal thing, like whether to carry a spare tire in your car. You'll probably never have a flat. Probably. You'll probably never have to bet your life on a snorkel. However, if you do, you'd better have your own because you're not getting mine!

 

[Sure Squintsalot]

After jumping off the boat, I'll spend a couple of minutes on the surface with my snorkel to sort out my video gear while face-down...you know, unfurling the arms, turning on the camera, making sure the leash is unencumbered.

After that, the snorkle is useless, so I reach into my upper outer left thigh pocket, 2nd zipper from the bottom, unclip the snorkle decomfabulator, press the button, count to 3, and the automated snorkle retractor on the boat rips the thing outta my mouth and coils it neatly back into my gear bag. The remote too is now useless. But, I have the ICBM-class propellant kit on order that will launch the snorkle decomfabulator retractor auto-remote from my location and parachute it into my gear bag. Cannot wait!

 

[formernuke]

One thing a lot of people are ignoring is the configuration of the diver.

All my diving is CCR or doubles. In both cases I have a long hose. If my buddy has a OOA situation that snorkel is now a definite safety issue.

So I never have a snorkel on my mask under water, useless and annoying there anyways, I will often place a roll up in my pocket as I stated very early on in this thread. That way if I want it on the surface it's there.

Never needed one but have due to boredom while waiting pulled it out a few times.

 

[ginti]

In fifty five years of diving, I have had to use it at least once for an emergency. It is doubtful that either one of us would have survived without our snorkels.

I am really curious about your emergency because I cannot think of a situation where the snorkel would make the difference between life and death, at least with my diving configuration... but I am ready to change my mind if some facts prove me wrong. Would you mind telling us more about this emergency? Many thanks!

 

[Divin'Papaw]

In fifty five years of diving, I have had to use it at least once for an emergency. It is doubtful that either one of us would have survived without our snorkels.

I find this incredibly hard to believe. Not saying you are wrong. You were there and we weren't. But I can't begin to imagine a scuba diving scenario where not having a snorkel would result in a fatality. I too would love to hear more.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I have seen divers getting ready for their dives and checking their gear over and over again making sure all was right. I've watched spare masks and fin straps and and extra computers and mini air bottles and fifteen whistles and extra line cutters and cord and an extra glove, etc. etc. all getting stuffed into assorted pockets on themselves. What? No toilet paper? Sheesh! I always asked myself why do they carry all that junk and no snorkel? If you can't find place for a little plastic tube, you're not trying hard enough!

Simple. All of that redundancy has a fundamental role to play in scuba diving. A snorkel does not.