Should I wear a snorkel or not

[lowwall]

I’ve done 5 mile shoreline swims to get to and back from some dive sites before I had a boat.

I believe that would qualify as a specific reason to use a snorkel. But it's not really applicable to a new diver.

I'm curious, other than the snorkel, what else do you need beyond standard gear for six hour swim and dive?

 

[Celt]

I believe that would qualify as a specific reason to use a snorkel. But it's not really applicable to a new diver.

I'm curious, other than the snorkel, what else do you need beyond standard gear for six hour swim and dive?

I was a new diver at least new to scuba. Photo is after returning from a 4 mile shore dive.

 

[lowwall]

I was a new diver at least new to scuba. Photo is after returning from a 4 mile shore dive. View attachment 635191

Great picture.

 

[Dody]

Just for the fun. Without a snorkel, how can you monitor the bullshark lurking underseas when you are alone at sea with no more gas ? Ok. I go.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I was a new diver at least new to scuba. Photo is after returning from a 4 mile shore dive. View attachment 635191

Nice!

 

[TMHeimer]

What???

1. Why are you necessarily out of air?
2. Why are you necessarily needing to swim anywhere to get back to your exit point?

Now you’re going to argue for the redundant snorkel I mentioned earlier so that you have one for the OOA diver as well.

Another day of humor from this thread. Thank you!

Hasn't yet happened to me in 800+ dives. Could happen.

Oh, in reply to others-- yes it is easy to breathe without snorkel or reg in mouth. Though maybe not in 8 foot waves, and maybe the snorkel doesn't help there either? Maybe snorkel helps if you have no tank air.
Yes, that should never ever happen....
Have we touched all bases yet?

 

[Storker]

if you can use a snorkel you can also just move your mouth out of the water and breathe.

A few years ago, there was a fatality over here. A woman drowned on the surface because the wind had increased while they were below and the chop broke over her. We can never know, but there is a non-zero probability that a snorkel might have been of help.

I have myself been in situations where I definitely would have appreciated floating higher in the water due to some chop, but breathing through the snorkel made it easier to avoid swallowing water. So I've had more situations where my snorkel has contributed to my safety than where my cutting tool has. I still don't go into the water without carrying at least one cutting tool.

 

[TMHeimer]

A few years ago, there was a fatality over here. A woman drowned on the surface because the wind had increased while they were below and the chop broke over her. We can never know, but there is a non-zero probability that a snorkel might have been of help.

I have myself been in situations where I definitely would have appreciated floating higher in the water due to some chop, but breathing through the snorkel made it easier to avoid swallowing water. So I've had more situations where my snorkel has contributed to my safety than where my cutting tool has. I still don't go into the water without carrying at least one cutting tool.

I can certainly see how that could happen, especially in the open ocean. I've had the wind/waves kick up some during a dive, to my surprise when I surfaced. In my case, I am almost always very close to shore (100'+?). On some of the shore site dives I do I don't even bother to bring my knife, as I know there is nothing I could get entangled in--probably not a wise idea.
If at a new site or on a boat, or anywhere there could be current or the possibility of any kind of a long surface swim, I do bring the knife and the snorkel, and at times Dive Alert.

When I was younger (50+....) I would venture further out, and often surface swim back some if I felt I was getting too far from shore. Swimming on my back using the snorkel was the fastest, easiest way. I always wore my snorkel on the mask. In later years and with much shorter surface swims (if at all), I found it was just as easy without the snorkel. In relatively calm water, even those longer swims would probably been fine without it. All depends on the situation.

 

[Chavodel8en]

+1 Another former competitive swimmer here. Far easier than using a snorkel.

You two seem to think that being competitive swimmers gives you a much better perspective about ANYBODY ever needing a snorkel to swim. I would argue that the exact opposite is true, because not everyone is a strong swimmer, so your perspective doesnt account for this. For some folks a snorkel really helps their swimming.

Me for example, the hardest part of swimming for me is turning my head and breathing without gulping water. I just cant do it well. So I generally either swim with my head out of the water (which is less efficient) or on my back. But if I have a snorkel, I can swim much faster.

I still dont wear one on my mask, but I bring a foldable one. If I ever had to swim a long distance, I could do it on my back, but I would want to have one with me.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

You two seem to think that being competitive swimmers gives you a much better perspective about ANYBODY ever needing a snorkel to swim. I would argue that the exact opposite is true, because not everyone is a strong swimmer, so your perspective doesnt account for this. For some folks a snorkel really helps their swimming.

Me for example, the hardest part of swimming for me is turning my head and breathing without gulping air. I just cant do it well. So I generally either swim with my head out of the water (which is less efficient) or on my back. But if I have a snorkel, I can swim much faster.

I still dont wear one on my mask, but I bring a foldable one. If I ever had to swim a long distance, I could do it on my back, but I would want to have one with me.

By all means use one! I’m not anti snorkel. I’ve said in this thread carry one or not. I’m fine either way! I want you doing what you’re comfortable with.

What I’m arguing against is the view presented by a few on the thread that a snorkel is essential and everyone should carry one.