Confused about the whole Snorkel thing...

[AlmightyApkallu]

Thank you folks for all the replies and for being kind about it too.

Sounds to me like a pocket/folding snorkel is the way to go. That way, in some odd circumstance that I need it, it's there and can be used, but on normal situations it's not there to annoy me and cause needless drag. As I said in my OP, I'm one of those oddballs where little things can be big annoyances to me when not needed. I'm guessing a good folding snorkel like that XS Cargo posted above will fit the bill. I imagine if it's kept in it's normal shape when not in use while diving (unfold it out of the water) it will help it retain it's original shape and probably allow it to unfold more reliably when the need arises. I guess this answers my question then! Thank you again folks!

 

[Chugwhump]

I got here late.
I will once again try to simplify this for everybody on the planet as it relates to "Der Schnorkelz".

#1: Get ein Schnorkel.
#2: Put it in your gear bag.
#3 Bring it with you unless you are diving in caves under ice, or the Epcot Dive Experience in Mickeyland.
#4 When you get on the boat, arrive at the beach, or wherever you are planning to dive,
look at, or ask, what the locals are doing,
or not doing,
with their snorkels.

And then do whatever they are doing.

And if some of the others divers around you are using, them, and some are not,
do not be afraid to ask a local as to their recommendation.


Chug
Shore dives ALWAYS.
Boat dives sometimes.
Lake dives NEVER!
because lake dives suck.

 

[redacted]

I carry a snorkel if I might have to do a long swim or a long wait. I store it attached to my BP. Pic in my gallery.

 

[Tracy]

Why waste gas?

How about someone who for some reason has an empty tank?

I hear this a lot, what did you buy the gas for other than to breathe? I have never understood the term wasting gas. I bought it to use it and even with some surface swimming, it is rare I come back with less than a third of my gas. Waste away!

Sent from my Dive Rite Bridge II

 

[Manneca]

I have gray hair, but I would remind the poster making the comment that those with gray hair have a lot more experience. Of course we learned when you always wore a snorkel.

That being said, I always wear one because I doff my gear in the water and hand it up when doing boat dives. I also worry about being in a situation where I might either run out of air on the surface or need to ditch my gear. (Of course, I have a computer with transmitter and analog gauges so I tend to be over careful.)

 

[CT-Rich]

I hear this a lot, what did you buy the gas for other than to breathe? I have never understood the term wasting gas. I bought it to use it and even with some surface swimming, it is rare I come back with less than a third of my gas. Waste away!

Sent from my Dive Rite Bridge II

Personal opinion here: having anything other than the obligatory reserve on the surface is like walking away from the bar after drinking 2/3 of your beer. Most of the time it is a shameful waste.... I will wait for you in the water with snorkel in my mouth and head back to the beach the same way. You want to use your BT on the surface swim... okay by me.

---------- Post added December 20th, 2015 at 12:38 PM ----------

You are also making the false assumption that every noob is going to have you massive SAC..... And while some may be envious of your SAC, your SAC may not be a typical SAC.... If you have a SAC that lasts more than four hours, consult a physician...

 

[dmaziuk]

Thank you folks for all the replies and for being kind about it too.

Sounds to me like a pocket/folding snorkel is the way to go.

There's several "quick detach" options that, once you get used to it, let you keep your snorkel and have it too. Non-folding ones are easy enough to clip to backplate harness, but with a jacket BCD you're probably better off with a folding one. Jacket BCDs tend to have air pockets around your belly, once inflated they tend to try'n flip you over so then it's easier to swim on your back -- that puts the tip of your snorkel underwater. Snorkel's more useful when the entire aircell's on your back.

I don't like dry snorkels, but I do have one with splash guard and a purge valve. Clearing them's a little different from the basic J-ones, once you get used to it works just fine.

 

[ontdiver]

Like several other of the "seasoned" divers (sounds better than greying), I tend to pack my snorkel for every outing. If if looks rough, I'll probably clip it on. I have a roll-up snorkel, but have found that it can be a pain to extract from a BC pocket while wearing gloves. Bottom line, its a preference thing but good to know and use when you are starting out.

 

[Tracy]

Personal opinion here: having anything other than the obligatory reserve on the surface is like walking away from the bar after drinking 2/3 of your beer. Most of the time it is a shameful waste.... I will wait for you in the water with snorkel in my mouth and head back to the beach the same way. You want to use your BT on the surface swim... okay by me.

---------- Post added December 20th, 2015 at 12:38 PM ----------

You are also making the false assumption that every noob is going to have you massive SAC..... And while some may be envious of your SAC, your SAC may not be a typical SAC.... If you have a SAC that lasts more than four hours, consult a physician...

I feel it is bad practice to establish a deco obligation in a single tank configuration. Therfore, it is quite rare I ever end a dive without plenty of air left in reserve for snorkeling use.

Sent from my Dive Rite Bridge II

 

[TMHeimer]

Foldable snorkel in pocket if ever needed. I took it out once to see if I could and if it worked. It did. No use for it since. When I know it won't ever be needed, one less thing to rinse. End of story.