An argument for always having a snorkel

[novicediver]

What's a snorkel?

 

[Cerveza]

What's a snorkel?

about 20 euros at my dive centre

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I think you are right on this point. Proper training is key. I do not notice my snorkel under water, and I have no problem with my snorkel when I use it on the surface.

I think allot of group class is about how many they can get through in a class. I went the private lesson path instead, my instructor was a ESU rescue diver. We spent time on everything, and had time for extra stuff too. I was require to do the free dive with snorkel, even though it is optionals with padi, but not for him.

Snorkeling and freediving skills are a required part of the YMCA certification ... which was my original training. So proper training will only show you the right way to use the gear. However, for certain applications, it's still the wrong approach. I dive with a long hose. Snorkels attached to the mask are a decidedly bad idea for that type of diving because they can interfere with a secondary handoff in an OOA emergency. As to other problems that a snorkel might be useful for, there are always alternative solutions.

It really boils down to the diver and the manner in which they are diving. No piece of gear is a panacea for everybody ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I agree with you totally, and disagree with others who said you should use your reg. Shore entry can be very difficult, especially if you had to assist a buddy in distress. I would have save the reg for the last minutes. The more reserve you have for the last 100 yards in the tank, the better. And, no, I don't believe 500 psi is alot of air if you had to struggle through the surf assisting an injured buddy. A snorkel might help. The swim in is difficult if waves are hitting you, and I have never attempted it on my back. Have anyone done a shore entry with 6 ft waves finning in on your back? I would like some comment.

Well, in some circumstances shore entry might be difficult. However, this diver cited a specific situation. And at CocoView, shore entry couldn't possibly be easier. You swim up a rope into a sheltered lagoon. If anything bad happens during those last minutes, you simply stand up ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Zeeman]

The propensity of some on Scubaboard to flame on “out of context” snippets never fails to amuse.

The purpose of my original post was to relate an experience and the determination which I made for myself.

Your opinion may differ and I respect that, but your comments serve no purpose except to keep a large number of divers as lurkers to this board.

Chuck

Chill and lighten up.

It was a joke. For some reason I can't see the emoticans anymore, so was unable to include a suitable one to make the joke obvious.

To be honest, I think way too many people (including you) are getting way too wound up about something as simple as personal preference. I mean hey, why not share your experience? There may be others out there who say "hey yeah, what a good idea".

I can't stand diving with a snorkel, mainly because my hair always gets tangled in it, and, for me, it's just in the way. But that's me.

Someone mentioned that Navy Seals and Navy Divers use snorkels, if so, then you're in pretty darn good company.

Z...

 

[String]

I know the last 500psi is for emergency, but one I am boarding of the back deck, I like to go to my reg just in case something happens.

And just how much gas do you think that's going to use? Possibly a whole 20psi?

I was trained to always have a reserve, I have jump from a c130, and my primary shut fail. If it was not for what the army thought about having a reserve, and requiring all solider to jump with a reserve shut. I would be dead.

Yet again you've totally missed the whole point of an air reserve. Its to make sure people have enough to GET to the surface. To use the parachute analogy it would be like wearing a reserve chute whilst walking off the drop zone after landing just in case you fall over. Reserve chutes are used in the air to get you safely to the ground. A 500psi reserve or air is used underwater to get you to the surface. Once you get to those places you no longer need to have this as its purpose has been served and its of no further use.

 

[String]

I have my weights right. ......

That i doubt. If you aren't overweighted you can float well above and with the waves without getting swamped especially if you put your back to them. If waves are splashing in your mouth you're either too low in the water (too heavy or not enough lift) or you're in the surf in which case its a moot point as there's no boat moored in breaking surf anyway.

 

[BDSC]

"I think that everyone makes mistakes, I do not think I know one single person that is perfect all the time."

Let me introduce myself. I'm BDSC.

BDSC

 

[Zeeman]

String. You owe me a new monitor.

z...

 

[String]

By the time my safety stops end, I have a little more then 500psi. And when I am on the surface I am normally just shy of 500psi. And thing could happen that you may need that 500psi on the surface also.

Like what?! A surface swim maybe? Sudden bombing raid by aliens forcing you to return to 100m depth to sit it out and hide? You're on the surface. The dive is over. You have air you dont need.

And if I am in choppy seas, and remain on the reg, it would not last that long.

Unless you have a huge SAC that isnt true. Pretty normal SAC should see that reserve last 20-30 minutes on the surface easily. Probably more if just floating there. With a normal size tank you have about 420 litres of air. People breathe between 10 and 17 on average per minute. Simple maths.

Why do some PRO DIVER'S think that pushing a tank to it's bitter end is the COOL thing to do. I know alot of elite divers, an they do dive with a reserve margin when they surface.

Again you completely misunderstand what the reserve is designed for. You seem set in stone you have to get back on that boat with 500psi no matter what and that is just dangerous. Your dive is over, the gas is there to be used so use it. People get ridiculously fixated on the 500psi limit to the extent ive seen people blow off safety stops purely to be on the surface with that amount again neatly sidestepping the whole purpose of it.