Do you wear a snorkel while boat diving?

[Hyper-limits]

No. But I never wear one anyway.

 

[downdeep]

On my seventh ocean dive, my snorkel got caught in the hose of my buddy's primary second stage and ripped my mask off my face. Glad I spent lots of time practicing those mask skills.

 

[dinky_diver]

I appreciate all the feedback. I tried to search the subject before I posted but could not find the particular thread listed. I didn't realize it was a hot button topic. I will probably get a folding snorkel to keep in my BC in the future and see how that goes.

 

[bisonduquebec]

Got very tired of the drag and annoyance of the snorkel while diving. I know have a Sherwood AVID folding snorkel that I keep in my BC pockect (in case). Never used it yet. http://www.sherwoodscuba.com/snorkels.html

I am sure it will take me hours before it is up and working (when I need it) but at leats I have one with me.

 

[_Bella_]

My son uses it like didgeridoo now..

Now where is that "100 things to use a snorkel for." list? Too funny.

 

[Curt Bowen]

Out of the $60,000 in dive gear I own, I dont think there is a snorkel in it.

I just got back from a couple of wreck dives off Myrtle Beach SC last week. I was on cattle boat as a single and got buddied up by the DM with another diver. While doing our predive check overs, he does not have snorkel on his mask. I reply that I always keep mine on my mask just in case its needed. He says he never takes a snorkel on a scuba trip, just one more thing to keep up with. I glance around and notice half or more of the divers without snorkels just masks. I'm still new at this with about 25 logged dives in the last couple years with 4 boat dives under my belt but never paid any attention to divers having snorkels before. I always keep my snorkel on my mask for every dive. Just wondering if others do this also or am I just adding drag in the water and another piece of gear to keep up with.

 

[WVDiver]

Well Dinky,

I always have mine on no matter what. I don't even think about it. It doesn't give me any of the problems that it seems to give everyone answering this post and it has come in handy many times.

I believe it is a product of your training and conditioning. I also think it should be a personal preference. If you have it you will use it, if you don't you won't and only you will know if you need or want it.

I don't have any local ordinances to worry with and I feel sorry for those of you who do. I take offense to all paternalistic laws. Just because some dumb*** drown himself
or got himself killed in a car accident it doesn't give those in high positions the right to protect me from myself and force me to wear a snorkel or a seatbelt. Like they are so much smarter than I am that they feel an obligation to protect me because they think I am stupid and unable to survive without their god-like presence protecting me. BULL****. I'm a big boy, I can take care of myself, don't dumb me down for a foolish mistake someone else has made just to protect yourself from litigation. Truth is I am probably smarter than most any of those god-like idiots who think they know what is best for me........give me a break.

Sorry had to vent.

Keep up the good work Dink. Wearing your snorkel is a kin to wearing a necktie, it may be a real hard thing to get used to but after a while you won't notice it is even there. Unlike a necktie your snorkel has a practical purpose in many situations and you will come to appreciate it in time.

 

[diver_paula]

For people that want to wear a snorkel but have trouble with it "hooking" on things, just make sure you use an old fashioned snorkel. Forget about the so called dry snorkels with the big clunky thang on top. That's the part that usually gets stuck on things and makes a snorkel a pain.

Paula

 

[scuba_mike]

I always wear a snorkel, for both boat diving and shore diving. I usually wait to be one of the last out of the water because I sometimes see people who are having a bit of difficulty (for example, with the exit into the boat, especially in waves) and I like to help them get out first.

Using my snorkel allows me to relax, not worry about the next wave and dip my face back under water from time to time to see what's going on below.

Cheers!

 

[james croft]

I have done the "swim for life" in rough seas and current. I surfaced with 2 other divers on a wreck dive. The down line had parted from the wreck and we came away from the boat. I had a snorkel and they did not. I swam on my back until my legs were tired, then would roll face down, using the snorkel in the waves and swim some more, using a different set of muscles to kick with. I could see the other two people attempting this method. They had to use their regs when swimming face down to be able to breath as a wave would smack them in the face every few seconds. As hard as we were working, they used up their remaining air and were forced to eventually stick to swimming on their backs. I made it to the boat and everything turned out OK and we laugh about it now, but I am not sure I could have made it without the snorkel. My two friends now carry one with them on every ocean dive. If you are ever in rough seas it can be a vital piece of gear.