ClevelandDiver
Contributor
CBulla:
Nice Wild Rover reference. I can hear a bunch of drunken Irishmen (a.k.a. family) screaming the chorus in my head now. How many days 'til St. Patty's day?
Do you wear a snorkel while boat diving?
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Nice Wild Rover reference. I can hear a bunch of drunken Irishmen (a.k.a. family) screaming the chorus in my head now. How many days 'til St. Patty's day?
markfm:Cbulla -- Don't hold back -- what do you really think?
Atta, boy, Mark! Colin (a.k.a. CBulla) is a shy lad and really has trouble speaking his mind. He needs encouragement constantly!
I always have one on my mask as do my diving partners. But, now that I have read all this, I can't say that I have ever used it while boat diving. if the seas are rough, I'll use my regulator or Air2 for the surface swim back. I guess if I was out of air, I might, but I always try to surface with 400-500 lbs. That way I always have air while I am bobbing around waiting to get back into the boat.
For shore dives, we usually have a fairly long swim out so I always use my snorkel for those. Other times I use it are when we are surfaced and bobbing to conserve air. This helps prevent that inevitable gulp of Salt Water that can just ruin your day.
I can definately second the comments above about snorkels getting hung up on kelp. That is one thing I discuss with my dive buddy before we dive. We have dove in some pretty heavy kelp beds and are constantly checking each other to make sure our 1st stage, snorkels, or knives aren't hung up. I have had my mask get flooded several times because of the snorkel getting hung up.
For shore dives, we usually have a fairly long swim out so I always use my snorkel for those. Other times I use it are when we are surfaced and bobbing to conserve air. This helps prevent that inevitable gulp of Salt Water that can just ruin your day.
I can definately second the comments above about snorkels getting hung up on kelp. That is one thing I discuss with my dive buddy before we dive. We have dove in some pretty heavy kelp beds and are constantly checking each other to make sure our 1st stage, snorkels, or knives aren't hung up. I have had my mask get flooded several times because of the snorkel getting hung up.
mccabejc
Contributor
FWIW, I wear one all the time, and use it pretty often. Aside from the fact that it's required in Laguna Beach, occasionally we'll make very long surface swims. And after 1/4 mile of swimming on your back, it feels better to flip over and use different muscles for a while, swimming face down with a snorkel. And I'm sure it's more efficient; I go much faster face down than on my back (due to the drag of the tanks).
Not sure why Laguna Beach requires it, other than the contingency where you don't want to or can't use your air supply and need to surface swim in choppy surf which, if on your back, might splash over your face and into your mouth/nose.
Personally, I feel appreciative when a Laguna lifeguard stops me to make sure I have a snorkel and a buddy. They've even given me the once over to make sure my gear is okay. Sure, I'm a big boy and can take care of myself, but I'll bet most folks who have had diving accidents would claim the same thing. You can never be too safe.
Not sure why Laguna Beach requires it, other than the contingency where you don't want to or can't use your air supply and need to surface swim in choppy surf which, if on your back, might splash over your face and into your mouth/nose.
Personally, I feel appreciative when a Laguna lifeguard stops me to make sure I have a snorkel and a buddy. They've even given me the once over to make sure my gear is okay. Sure, I'm a big boy and can take care of myself, but I'll bet most folks who have had diving accidents would claim the same thing. You can never be too safe.
Lil' Irish Temper
Guest
ClevelandDiver:
That's the only thing I am for sure of.
ckaspar
Registered
Not since OW cert. I find them to me more a liability. They get hung up on everything and just plain old get in the way. The majority of my diving time is underwater deeming a snorkel useless. I have never needed one nor do I see the need for one. I swim on my back and don't have problems with that. If I want to look down to take a gander I either "reg up" or hold my breath for a few. Not too tough.
Someone used the air bag analogy as most people have never needed it but like the idea of having for safety. Here is a more valid analogy using the airbag. Try driving with the airbag and tell me what is safer!
Just my opinion though.
Someone used the air bag analogy as most people have never needed it but like the idea of having for safety. Here is a more valid analogy using the airbag. Try driving with the airbag and tell me what is safer!
Just my opinion though.
fmw625
Guest
Last month while in Cozumel and Belize, I had my snorkle. On the first dive boat one of the DMs made the comment that we were boat diving and wouldn't be swimming on the surface. I took it that we weren't going to need a snorkle. I removed mine, but stuck it in my bcd pocket (just in case). It's been there ever since. If I need it I still have it.
bob1dp
Contributor
I like having the choice of swimming face down with a snorkle. Also sometimes when I'm waiting for people to get in the water and I don't feel like filling my BC and will just float with my snorkle.
TheYellowSubmarine
Contributor
I haven't used one or worn one on my mask since OW. Recently I've bungeed one to my backplate. Part in reason because of my rescue course (useful for giving breaths in choppy water) and partly because I keep forgetting my snorkel on trips where I can do some spearfishing or snorkeling. The snorkel is practically invisible and is so small, I don't even notice its there until i clean my backplate after diving.
teknitroxdiver
Contributor
I never wear it. If the water is choppy, I keep my reg in. It doesn't get water in the tube, and it doesn't flop on the side of my mask and give me a headache during the dive.
If I ever run across one in a dive shop, I might get me a folding snorkel or a more compact one (I have the nuclear cooling tower type 'Dry Snorkel') to bungee to my near-future backplate. I usually do take my snorkel with me to the location, I just don't take it on the boat, except for stuff like night dives where I might get to freedive a bit until it gets dark.
If I ever run across one in a dive shop, I might get me a folding snorkel or a more compact one (I have the nuclear cooling tower type 'Dry Snorkel') to bungee to my near-future backplate. I usually do take my snorkel with me to the location, I just don't take it on the boat, except for stuff like night dives where I might get to freedive a bit until it gets dark.
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