Snorkel a necessity on open water dives?

[Lorenzoid]

The roll-up kind stuffed in a pocket in case it's needed is probably the optimal solution. But I recommend always bringing a snorkel along, at least in your gear bag. Thinking I was too-cool-for-school, I left the much-maligned snorkel at home on a recent trip to Roatan, and wouldn't ya know it--when everyone jumped in the water to snorkel with a passing pod of dolphins all I could do was catch brief glances at them between breaths. A snorkel can be very useful: for snorkeling.

 

[knotical]

I’ve worn one on my mask for the last 50+ years. Used it for:
- long surface swims on shore dives
- checking out what’s below both before and after boat dives, often while waiting for other divers.
- between-dive snorkeling

If while sitting on the boat there’s ever a need to assist another diver in an emergency (or watch dolphins, thanks Lorenzoid) I can enter the water more quickly than having to kit up with scuba, or root around for a snorkel.

Perhaps I’m just a curmudgeon (well, I am – just not sure if my use of a snorkel is related to that) but I’d feel a bit nekkid without my trusty snorkel.

 

[Doomnova]

I have a roll up that I keep in my pocket. On my mask...unless its required its not being worn too much kelp around here which it then become an entanglement hazard.

 

[T.C.]

Just spend two weeks diving where the operator required all to have snorkels. In the water customers were expected to have either the reg or snorkel in mouth. One customer complained - they were given their money back and told to find another operator to die with.

Who has this asinine restriction? I'd laugh all the way to their competition.

Hey everybody! I'm new to the forum. I've been loving all of the informative threads and articles I've been reading here. I'm really learning a lot. Here's my question. When I went for my open water certification dives with my instructor, he insisted we all wear our snorkels for the two dives. All of the pool training I had it on as well, standard procedure I'm sure.

Yes, in training it is required. But that's all. There's no Scuba Police out there (though there are people who think they are) requiring you to wear certain gear.

So I'm wondering how many people here go with or without a snorkel during dives?..Beach entry dives I always wear mine. Rough surf. Do some of you believe that it's a safety matter, and you should always dive with a snorkel no matter what? I can see getting abandoned during a dive, then it would definitely be nice to have one. Maybe I could stuff one in my BCD pocket for safe keeping? What are your thoughts? Thanks in advance for any help. Stay wet!

I have one, a XS Scuba Cargo Snorkel, that rolls up into my pocket.

XS Scuba Cargo Snorkel at LeisurePro

It's emergency gear if I ever find myself drifting away and have to spend a a long time on the surface. If you have a long surface swim (think the Hilma Hooker in Bonaire from shore, I would probably use it too.

And if you advance to DM/instructor/ rescue diver, you may want it if you may be called on for emergency rescues. DMs and Instructors may have to wear one to provide an example to the new students.


For any entry and exit, I keep the reg in my mouth. You'll never burn much gas on the surface before the dive, and after the dive; who cares how much gas you use on the surface?

A reg is safer than a snorkel on the surface, especially if you fall in the surf. A reg won't flood and leave you struggling for air while you try to get back up, which can be a struggle with more surf knocking you down, and a heavy unit weighing you down.

I highly recommend a regulator in your mouth for surf entries.

 

[BroadSkyDiver]

Thanks to everybody for their opinions so far.

 

[dmoore19]

As is the case with most questions like this, everyone has an opinion and a reason for that opinion. None of them are wrong, it is up to you to decide what is right for you.

 

[rongoodman]

I've never worn or carried one outside of a PADI class, although I usually throw a simple J-type into my bag when I pack, just in case(of what, I'm not sure). I would never wear one on my mask even if I did decide to carry it along on a dive.

 

[TMHeimer]

I put a "foldable" one (just a tube-no frills) in my BC pocket for the last year or so. Haven't used it yet. This subject has been discussed so often on SB people joke about it. Obviously it can come in handy to save air on a long surface swim, and you could look down as you go--or somehow you're out of air and lost at sea in rough water. Other than that, I can't think of any reason to have one.

 

[BroadSkyDiver]

I agree, it's up to each individual divers preference, but I was curious what everybody thought. I did try the search function, but didn't come up with any threads, maybe I was wording it wrong. I didn't want to beat a dead horse, but I appreciate everybody chiming in. I guess my best option is keeping my regular snorkel in my BCD pocket on OW dives. My BCD has pretty big pockets. I feel better having it. The last beach dive I did was off of Fort Pierce, FL (Pepper Park). Really nice dive if you're into ledges and bugs. Saw cool fish there as well. It was nice having my snorkel for the swim out to the second reef. Comes in handy when needed.

 

[Phil_C]

I have a couple of snorkels but unless I am snorkelling they live in the bottom of my dive bag. The only time I take one when I am on scuba is if surface conditions are a bit rough, or might become rough and there is a chance of me spending any time on the surface. Then I find it is more comfortable to have a snorkel in.

If I do take one it is in a pocket until/unless needed, and never on my mask whilst diving. Too much risk of getting it entangled.

For rough surf entries I agree with the comment above - regulator in, not a snorkel, if you lose your footing and slip or go under it is so much safer in my view.

Phil