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

[rick00001967]

SSI requires a student and instructor to know how to use a snorkel and it is required equipment for entry level classes.

depending on the diving you do, a snorkel may be very useful or dangerous.

for me personally, i enjoy snorkelling sometimes so i always have one in my gear bag, but unless i am teaching, i never wear one when i am diving because the type of diving i do simply does not require one. the negatives of havng one on me far out weigh any possible positives.

many people prefer to buy a folding snorkel and keep it stowed in a pocket if they feel they may need one for themselves at the surface for example, or possibly during a rescue where some may use it while performing rescue breaths.

 

[scrane]

I don't know why a plastic tube should be controversial. Something Freudian, perhaps?

 

[shurite7]

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:


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.

On page 34 of NAUI 2022 Standards it states “A snorkel is optional equipment unless specified in a particular course.” This is in the equipment required section for a scuba course.

In my experience of working in the islands the vast majority of people don’t know how to use a snorkel, even though they had it on their mask.

As for W/RSTC, it is merely a guideline, not a steadfast regulation or law. Jim makes a god point about ISO and W/RSTC on post #28.

 

[Celt]

I think if I seen a snorkel hanging of a mask underwater I’d be seriously tempted to cut that stupid clip that comes with some. The first thing I do with new gear is cut every clip, toggle and other useless appendages that manufactures seem to think is a great idea.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Why would you need a snorkel to look at a whale shark? Mask should be enough.

If you enjoy bobbing your head up and down as you take breaths, sure.

 

[doctormike]

If you enjoy bobbing your head up and down as you take breaths, sure.

I mean, of course a snorkel is better for whale shark watching. But I wouldn’t pass on it just because I didn’t have a snorkel. I thought that’s what you were saying, that only the people with snorkels got in the water.

Sorry if I misunderstood.

 

[Guille G]

A snorkel is less than $15 bucks even in overpriced tourist locations. Not really worth the research time, IMO - if in doubt, just buy one and then you’ll either use it or you won’t

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

I don't wear a snorkel while on SCUBA..

I always pack a snorkel when traveling to warm water destinations just to have "off SCUBA" options....but still don't bring it with me on SCUBA dives.

I do keep one in my gear bag on any warm water boat dives just in case ...and also to have something to do while off gassing between dives.

For long surface swims.... especially in warm water, I prefer to be on my back, mask off and cheap shades on. When ready to descend, shades go into my BC pocket. (think far south sites on Bonaire)

Finally.... I have seen some very ingenious bong modifications using snorkels.... so they do have a use...

Cheers...

 

[jlcnuke]

Many OW classes don't meet RSTC standards for a number of reasons. ISO and RSTC standards are actually not standards. They are guidelines. Standards violations have consequences.
ISO and RSTC standards were written by agencies to keep gov't out of regulating the industry by creating the illusion of rules that had to be followed. They were not written by independent 3rd parties with actual prescribed penalties for violations. And for a long time NAUI was not a member of the WRSTC.
Classes are held and completed daily that do not result in diver's with the required knowledge and skills. Yet nothing is done unless someone is killed.
Then the instructor is hung out to dry without the agency that created the conditions for that instructor to suffer anything except financial penalties.
If they were actually standards the agencies would be sanctioned or removed from the RSTC and WRSTC. Any member of the WRSTC can object to any action by the majority of members and nothing will happen to them and the issue or change is dropped and forgotten.

I'm aware than neither ISO nor WRSTC standards are legal requirements enforceable with really anything (though I guess WRSTC could expel organizations that blatantly don't follow the published standards they have for training).

It still seems pretty dumb (from a legal perspective) to me to be a training agency and have your training not follow the worldwide "standards" in use. Even dumber if your agency is actually a member of one of the organizations publishing those standards. And even dumber when taking into account that not including that little things only saves a few minutes in a typical OW course anyway, and saves the agency and instructors pretty much no money either. Since the agency is the one publishing their training standards/requirements, that gives the agency potential liability if a diver trained by that agency's standards ever has an event that a lawyer can say would have been prevented or mitigated by proper training in the use of a snorkel while diving... for no gain at all. That was my point.

 

[TMHeimer]

Why would you need a snorkel to look at a whale shark? Mask should be enough.

Beat me to it....