Should I wear a snorkel or not

[Jake 10]

I used it to surface swim and/or to scout the area before submerging, this allows me to save air for my dive

 

[dmaziuk]

Someone has to:

is that a snorkel in your pocket or you're just happy to be diving?

 

[Dody]

I keep my snorkel just in case. I would not want to be lost at sea even for less than hour without. I have never used it but as I only dive in the ocean, you never know.

 

[Storker]

You have clearly made a lot of effort to convince others that it isn't safe or possible to do it safely or properly if one is using a snorkel. What you should have said that YOU don't have enough skill, knowledge and practice to be able to do a very simply maneuver easily and correctly, just you.

Huh?

It's a fact that deploying a hog looped long hose involves slipping the loop over your head.
It's a fact that if there's something sticking up from your head, there's a greater risk that something slipping over your head stands a bigger risk of getting snagged than if there isn't anything sticking up from your head.
It's a fact that a snorkel worn on the mask strap will have the snorkel tube sticking up from the snorkel wearer's head.

When I do that math, I conclude that wearing a snorkel on my mask strap isn't a very good idea if I'm hog looping. As I understand you, it shouldn't be an issue as long as I have the appropriate skills. Is that a correct understanding of what you're saying here?

 

[BoltSnap]

When I do that math, I conclude that wearing a snorkel on my mask strap isn't a very good idea if I'm hog looping. As I understand you, it shouldn't be an issue as long as I have the appropriate skills. Is that a correct understanding of what you're saying here?

If you have the skill based on practice and doing it few times, you should have no issues doing it smoothly and instinctively. I wouldn't use a snorkel on the mask when diving in an overhead environment because of other issues but not because of using a long hose. People rationalize not to use the snorkel with long hose not because it isn't doable but more because they don't want to wear it just like users of standard hose length complain about using a snorkel for the wrong reasons and rationalizations.

 

[Storker]

If you have the skill based on practice and doing it few times, you should have no issues doing it smoothly and instinctively. I wouldn't use a snorkel on the mask when diving in an overhead environment

Are you saying that I should have no more issues donating my hog looped reg with a snorkel on my mask strap than I'd have without a snorkel on my mask strap?

Just trying to clarify whether my impression of your position is correct.

 

[BoltSnap]

Are you saying that I should have no more issues donating my hog looped reg with a snorkel on my mask strap than I'd have without a snorkel on my mask strap?

I can't saying anything about you and what you can or can't do, only you can say. I am talking about me and what I can do or don't do. I have no problem whatsoever doing it. I had to practice it and review doing it just like what I do when I use a new piece of equipment, I practice using it in various scenarios until I am comfortable with it and using it and can do it blind folded instinctively. I have no issues using a snorkel with or without a long hose and never confused it with my hair or with my BC inflator hose or anything else. I never dive without a snorkel, never. I may put it away u/w when diving in an overhead situation (wreck diving) but it is with me out of the way when I do but otherwise, it is on my mask.

 

[Marie13]

I hated wearing a snorkel. Pulled at my mask and was just flopping all over. I think I only wore it once or twice after OW. My diving doesn’t really require it.

 

[Storker]

I can't saying anything about you and what you can or can't do

That was not my question.

Are my issues with deploying a long hose safely with a snorkel tube sticking up over my head a problem caused by my lack of skills? Because that's what I read from your recent posts, but you seem to refuse to answer clearly when I try to clarify your position.

 

[mc42]

I thought that it was standard to have the snorkel on the left side and the regulator and octo on the right side. I am a newbie. I might be wrong.

Quick aside to answer your question: I currently have my recreational single reg set configured for left side octo and is recommended that way by some shops. It's more common to have both regs off the same (right) side.

If you think about where the hoses would go during an actual donation situation, the left side routing is better for donating because it:
- encourages right-side-up position of the regulator, so could be helpful if panicked diver grabs the octo and puts it in their mouth without thinking and gets a bunch of water
- allows a direct path to the octo when facing the OOG diver compared to the right side where the hose comes in between the two divers and turns 180 degrees into the octo, and can put sideways pressure on it
- allows the maximum length of the hose to be used if the OOG diver is swimming on the left

Now the downside - if the left side octo is good for donating it's not as nice if you're the one having to use it. If the OOG diver grabs your primary or you choose to donate it, then you have to use the octo and the hose routing won't be as comfortable as the right side octo.

But if you're a primary donate sort of person, maybe you should really be thinking long hose anyway for the additional benefits and you can participate in a different debate.