Do you Need a Snorkel

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MA.25

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Location
Victoria, Australia
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Do you need a snorkel while recreational diving, I've heard in some places it's illegal to dive without one but it's always in the way.
 
I usually dive deeper than snorkel would allow me to so tank and regulator are needed.
 
I usually dive deeper than snorkel would allow me to so tank and regulator are needed.


I mean do you need to have one along with the scuba gear when diving
 
I usually dive deeper than snorkel would allow me to so tank and regulator are needed.
Hahahaha

So I think this question has been asked before. This is very much a divers preferance. If you plan on having a long surface swim out to your dive site than you might consider keeping it on your mask and using it on your surface swim.

Personally I like to have my snorkel. Sometimes at the end of a dive I want to snorkel around a bit and not have to go back to the truck to get it, besides it really does not bother me.
 
Do you need a snorkel while recreational diving, I've heard in some places it's illegal to dive without one but it's always in the way.

It's a legal requirement for you to have one in Queensland, which is probably what you've heard about. Note that it doesn't need to attached to your mask, it just needs to be on you. The foldup ones that others have linked to are useful if you don't want it on your mask. My pockets are big enough to shove a normal snorkel in there which I do when I'm up north.

You don't need to have one in NSW. Don't know about Victoria.

Pasc
 
The only times I have ever dove without a snorkel is when I was part of saturation missions. Snorkels are essential for all but cave diving and, frankly, I have never found the to be in the way or to get tangled in anything. I submit that most divers who make such complaints have never learned how to properly wear and use one, a skill that I have found useful often and damn near life preserving on rare occasions ... but isn't only once enough to justify it?
 
Definately depends on the dive and personal preference and comfort and stuff.
A corrugated one that hangs out of the way and doesn't slip down the keeper is out of the way but optimally speaking a snorkel is not designed for use with tanks and the over engineered equipment that holds them these days.

Dive Vic doesn't require them, the Blowhole or No 16 or commercial operators here don't require them, just a whistle and a sausage last time I went to dive the Brisbane.
The snorkle is very good for unconscious peoples heads when they get covered with water as they do, and cpr, if that's what you do.
But I'd rather clamp a reg in their mouth in those circumstances, mine also.
 
Do you need a snorkel while recreational diving, I've heard in some places it's illegal to dive without one but it's always in the way.

In the way? How so?

The only time mine is even noticed is when I use my double hose regulator. Then it's only in the transition. I have never noticed my snorkel while diving. I keep choosing to use it so it must be useful to me.

Pete
 
A snorkel is useful when you are on the surface, after a dive, waiting to get back on the boat though some of the captains I am familiar with want you to have your reg in your mouth until you have boarded. It would be useful if you are about out of air on the surface also. Otherwise, I have never dove with a snorkel except during training class.
 
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