Folks, its not to carry or not. Each diver (like to OP) should be able to make their own mind up without criticism.
Should I wear a snorkel or not
- Thread starter Happyladydiver
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Blackcrusader
Contributor
ginti
Contributor
If you use a long hose setup for your regulators (like I do), never.
With a standard regulator configuration, totally up to you. I would say it's better to have one when you're starting out in diving and building confidence in the water. You can swim face-down without needing to use your tank supply for example. It's also useful when it's a little choppy on the surface to get air from a little higher up than your face which might get splashed often. Later, you can weigh the pros and cons of whether you want to keep the snorkel or not.
At higher levels of diving (tech, wreck, cave) you'll find that it is considered an entanglement hazard and forbidden in training. The long hose setup normally used in these types of diving can catch the snorkel when you share gas with your buddy and dislodge your mask. The location of the snorkel by your chin can also hinder deploying your necklace regulator.
At these levels, you're not typically going to swim long distances on the surface face down, but rather on your back, so a snorkel isn't much use and may actually dig into the water and give you a mouthful when you don't want it.
I also keep my regulator in my mouth at all times in the water, so I'm ready to take a clear breath of air with no risk of inhaling water accidentally from a snorkel.
Agencies like PADI require recreational instructors and students to have a snorkel during training, so if you see your instructor with one, it might not be their personal choice.
I remember a post on Facebook of @johnkendall exploring a cave only with a snorkel (no scuba equipment). But that was a very special case. Besides this case and some other very specific examples, your description is accurate.
I have to say that sometimes I miss a snorkel to look down when I need to swim a lot
just not enough to bring one with me every dive
Not sure I get it. One of the main reasons we have this forum is that people post questions and other people can discuss why one approach is better than the other. Debating the advantages and disadvantages of something isn't criticism, it's helpful. Sometimes people change their long held habits based on new information that they get here. I certainly have...
I like this summary of the "anti-snorkel-on-mask" position.
UCFKnightDiver
Contributor
Great and entertaining article on the use of dorkels!
That is a longer version of why I carry a very similar dorkel in the same place he does.
This is a good example how a simple and very effective piece of diver gear can fall into disrepute because of poor training and a lack of understanding of its proper use. A snorkel should be a simple mouthpiece and tube and never attached to a mask. Once the reg. is brought into use the snorkel should be stowed and never left dangling from the mask or anywhere else. A snorkel is not an entanglement if it’s used properly. Just shows the level of training the people who banned it got.
Wearing or not wearing a snorkel, like most everything with diving, is a matter of personal choice. If you believe having a snorkel provides you utility between the moment you enter and the moment you exit the water then you should dive with one. If you find that it does not bring you any utility and/or just gets in your way then don't dive with one...
...the choice is yours.
-Z
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