Should I wear a snorkel or not

[TMHeimer]

We are still on this pissing contest over a snorkel it's a personal choice wear one or not. I'm sure the OP has long since checked out.

Yeah I know. But that's Scubaboard and we're all in a pandemic too.
Don't know where this fits in, but I've thought that knowing how to snorkel properly (blast-clearing, diving down & back up, etc.) should almost be a pre-requisite for taking OW course. Simply because it addresses airway issues. At the very least it should be taught in the OW course at the beginning of the course. I have described my reasons for rarely even carrying my foldable snorkel due to the type of diving I do (as have others). Instruction for using it properly while snorkeling AND on scuba is IMO, important. Then you decide if wearing/having one with you is right for you.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

We are still on this pissing contest over a snorkel it's a personal choice wear one or not. I'm sure the OP has long since checked out.

This is one of my favorite topics! Watching these "instructors" argue that snorkels are essential for scuba and that the rest of us just never had instructors as capable as they are to teach us how to manage said snorkel. It's always worth a laugh.

I 100% agree with you @NorCalDM. Wear one or not. I don't care. But to claim they're essential and that our training is somehow inferior because we never learned to manage one correctly? That one never ceases to amaze me.

 

[Dody]

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.

SSI advises to donate the main reg rather than the octo to the buddy. Don’t exactly remember why but it made sense when it was explained to me.
Anyway, I would say that when you have specialists having different opinions that all have pros and cons, just choose the one you are more comfortable with and trained to. That’s why I have my reg and octo on the right side, that I purchased the same BCD, wetsuit, boots, reg, octo that I used during training (the instructor did not influence me apart from the Aqualung brand. I made my own research). When I am more experienced, I will have all the time to change equipment and setup.

 

[Storker]

Don’t exactly remember why but it made sense when it was explained to me.

Revisit that explanation and evaluate it. Don't take anything at face value, don't drink the cool-aid. Use your own judgment. That's one of the things you have to be able to do if you want to be a competent diver.

 

[Blackcrusader]

I am getting a dry throat from all this snorkel discourse. I like to have mine with me. There are occasions I didn't bring it but I missed not having it there. Some people are concerned with a long hose the deployment in an OOA situation could be impeded.

You can always put the snorkel lower down in the clip its slides into for adjustment.

Perhaps for me I am a creature of habit but I have always found having my snorkel with me is beneficial on the surface so I can scan reefs before the start or at the end of a dive or resting on the surface. Sometimes I take off my BCD & kit and hand it to the boat crew and continue on snorkeling.

Either way to use one is fine to not use one is fine.

 

[BoltSnap]

We are still on this pissing contest over a snorkel it's a personal choice wear one or not. I'm sure the OP has long since checked out.

Why are you bent out of shape over it? This is the internet and it is SB, free exchange of opinions and ideas.

 

[BoltSnap]

"I'm an instructor, you aren't". That's awesome. I've always loved that argument. It really bolsters your case.

Yes, I am an educator and have the responsibility to help new divers and others and provide them with accurate information. Spreading false information doesn't do anyone any good.

A snorkel ... essential equipment ... for scuba diving??? Really??? But you're the "expert" so it must be so.

So when are you coming down to do remedial work on your knowledge and skills?

 

[BoltSnap]

I 100% agree with you @NorCalDM. Wear one or not. I don't care. But to claim they're essential and that our training is somehow inferior because we never learned to manage one correctly? That one never ceases to amaze me.

Yes, your attitude is certainly amazing and amusing.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Yes, your attitude is certainly amazing and amusing.

Ditto

 

[Divin'Papaw]

So when are you coming down to do remedial work on your knowledge and skills?

None required. I'm good. But thanks for the offer to share your vast knowledge with lowly me. Much appreciated.