Ahhhhh…..the most controversial of subjects: snorkels (lol)

[Angelo Farina]

What’s the issue with self draining ones?

As an instrucor I did never allow my students to use self-draining snorkels or masks. During training you want your students to become confident with the manouvre of evacuting the mask and the snorkel.
And this is for prooving they have got good control of the valves inside their skull and controlling the airways.
For me the snorkel has always been a powerful didactical tool. Then when scuba diving I do not generally carry a snorkel with me.
But for a novice, starting his first course, owning a snorkel (the simple model) is required, as the instructor will use it for a number of exercises in the pool: for example swimming while breathing through the snorkel and without mask, or evacuating the snorkel after a small free dive.

 

[Chris Stock]

I would agree that when starting out, a snorkel would be mandatory for training. If he does decide to buy one, take a look at Scubapro's crush proof snorkel. Don't buy the type that self drain.

Is that the one you can fold up into a little ball and it pops back out? If so, does it actually work? That would be cool to have something that can be in a small pouch for months and then extend to use that ONE time you want it. I currently don't bring a snorkel with me.

 

[drk5036]

I don’t use a snorkel in most benign dives because it’s a bit annoying. But the whole “you SHOULDN’T use a snorkel because it will KILL YOU” is by far the most annoying scubaboard bias. By far more people have died from not having a snorkel on them when they needed it, than people who have died by having a snorkel on them (how would that even work!?)

 

[doctormike]

Hardly controversial subject matter.

This statement is not accurate.

 

[doctormike]

But the whole “you SHOULDN’T use a snorkel because it will KILL YOU” is by far the most annoying scubaboard bias.

Straw man.

 

[drk5036]

Straw man.

What does that mean?

 

[Centrals]

Whenever I have to wait to be picked up by the boat I always wish I have a snorkel if the sea is rough.

 

[doctormike]

What does that mean?

A straw man argument is a deliberate misstatement of an opposing point of view for rhetorical effect. I was implying that no one has actually argued that a snorkel would kill you, except maybe as a joke.

Here's a good summary of the other side of the controversy that doesn't exist.

The Sad and Sordid History of the “Dorkel” - Cave Diver Harry

 

[rongoodman]

I don’t use a snorkel in most benign dives because it’s a bit annoying. But the whole “you SHOULDN’T use a snorkel because it will KILL YOU” is by far the most annoying scubaboard bias.

Has any body ever actually said that, other than in jest?

 

[jlcnuke]

PADI and SDI standards require a snorkel for Basic Open Water classes. NAUI used to, but took it out of standards a couple of years ago. So, if your son is taking the basic course under the first two agencies listed above then the snorkel will be required.

Although some dislike carrying a snorkel while on scuba it is a good idea for dive students to learn how to use one. There is a time and place for the snorkel, therefore it isn’t a bad idea to at least have it in the dive bag.

NAUI doesn't require training to include snorkel use? That shocks me honestly, because if true that means their training does not conform to ISO standards as ISO 24801 requires that autonomous diver training standards include:

8.1 Confined water scuba skills Students shall be able to demonstrate capability in the following skills; each skill shall be satisfactorily practised in confined water before that skill is performed in open water: — use of mask, fins and snorkel;
...
— mouthpiece clearing both snorkel and regulator;
— regulator/snorkel exchanges while summing at the surface;
...
— surface snorkel swimming with full diving equipment;

As well as the same skills done in OW training as well.

In addition to ISO standards, it would mean their training doesn't meet WRSTC standards either.