dry vs. semi-dry snorkels

[s2kbadger]

I'm thinking of getting a new snorkel and I can't quite understand why there would be both dry and semi-dry snorkels for about the same price. What advantage is there, if any with a semi-dry snorkel over a dry snorkel? If this has already been covered, my apologies, but you can't search for the word dry, because it is too short.

 

[Boogie711]

Are you snorkeling or scuba diving? If you're snorkeling, then you would want a snorkel. Otherwise - why??? Mine is on the bottom of my gear bag and comes out about once every 4 months - for when I feel like snorkeling. That's it.

I'd spend the least amount of money you can on a snorkel. The gimmicky snorkels out with valves and gadgets and bells and whistles are just that - gimmicks. I guess dive manufacturers feel there's truth to the adage "A fool and his money are soon parted."

 

[docmartin]

one of the disadvantages when diving with a dry snorkel is that the tube is filled with air, not water when submerged (duh, that's why it is dry). this means the snorkel is buoyant under water and exerts some pull on your mask strap. this can lead to mask leaks which are annoying. if you want to get a snorkel don't get a dry one for diving. they are fine for snorkeling, though.

 

[IndigoBlue]

Are you snorkeling or scuba diving? If you're snorkeling, then you would want a snorkel. Otherwise - why???

Boogie I would like to parse your questions and address them one at a time.

The issue of having a snorkel with you at all times while scuba diving comes up often. In NAUI, at least once a year a veteran diving instructor writes in and tries to remind everyone of the importance of always having a snorkel with you while scuba diving, mentioning also the current laxness of many divers regarding this decades old issue. You seem to speak as if all those lax divers who have left their snorkels at home are being safe divers. The jury is way out, on this issue, and so your view is far from an absolute truth.

Mine is on the bottom of my gear bag and comes out about once every 4 months - for when I feel like snorkeling. That's it.

That may be fine for your diving, Boogie, but I would view you as inadequately configured, even though you have lots of friends who do what you do as well.

I'd spend the least amount of money you can on a snorkel. The gimmicky snorkels out with valves and gadgets and bells and whistles are just that - gimmicks.

Now you are getting closer to a valid, reasonable argument. Snorkels do not get used a lot in scuba, so keeping it simple and functional is good advice. You are of course hedging on your own original argument, in that you have conceded to give advice after all regarding purchasing a snorkel, after the last few sentences blasted the idea (blasted = pun).

I guess dive manufacturers feel there's truth to the adage "A fool and his money are soon parted."

Wasn't it P.T. Barnum that made that statement? He was talking about circus patrons and gambling schemes. In scuba, a fool and his/her air are soon parted, or a fool and his/her life are soon parted, whould be more applicable, in the case of scuba diving without having a snorkel with you, in my opinion.

 

[IndigoBlue]

one of the disadvantages when diving with a dry snorkel is that the tube is filled with air, not water when submerged (duh, that's why it is dry). this means the snorkel is buoyant under water and exerts some pull on your mask strap. this can lead to mask leaks which are annoying. if you want to get a snorkel don't get a dry one for diving. they are fine for snorkeling, though.

Agreed.

I used to use a dry snorkel for scuba. They are really nice for snorkeling out from a beach, or back to the beach, because waves breaking over you do not fill the snorkel. But they are a huge pain underwater because they trap air, and that makes them get into the way of everything else. I feel dry snorkels are great for snorkeling or freediving, but terrible for scuba applications.

 

[cyklon_300]

configuration, you will not want to wear a snorkel as it potentially interferes with deployment of the primary reg in OOG.

 

[s2kbadger]

Thanks, just the information I was looking for! First, I dive a little and snorkel more. Although certified, I just haven't found enough time to dive frequently enough to get more proficient at it and not getting more proficient makes me less comfortable, so I don't dive as often as I might. But, I do dive and I plan to dive more.

I already have a semi-dry snorkel and I firmly believe in both having and using a snorkel when diving (really seems foolish to not have one in my opinion). I plan to continue, but I can see that for snorkeling, it may very well be worth my money to also get a dry snorkel. When I snorkel with my wife or my kids, I'm always turning my head to see where they are and a right head turn often puts water in the snorkel. So, having both seems like a good idea and I'm glad I know to not use the dry one when diving (I would not like the mask pull).

 

[Marebythesea]

Mega dittos on why I do not use a dry snorkle when diving, but do use it when snorkling. Like Boogie 711 my snorkle(s) remain in my gear bag for the most part.

I usually dive with a AGA FFM with an ABV-1, Ambient Breathing Valve from OTS. The valve allows you to breathe ambient air at the surface while conserving your tank air. It's simple to use as well as low profile which I really like because it doesn't get in the way. To use it on the surface, the one way valve is rotated counterclockwise to allow air into the FFM.

The valve is located on the inside of the FFM and ensures that exhaled air does not go back out the valve. Exhaled air is sent out through the second stage regulator to make sure there is no Co2 build-up in the AGA. The valve also is forced closed when diving so if you forget to close the valve before diving, the valve disc will help keep water out.

 

[IndigoBlue]

configuration, you will not want to wear a snorkel as it potentially interferes with deployment of the primary reg in OOG.

That is exactly one more reason why a long hose configuration for open water non-penetration diving is inappropriate and unnecessary.

So lose the long hose, unless you are going into a shipwreck or cave.

 

[Boogie711]

Tell me, Indigo Blue - do you ever dive off a boat where you need to find an anchor line before beginning your ascent again? Or for that matter, practiced any sort of OOA emergency using both a long hose and a short hose configuration?

My snorkel stays in my gear bag - not out of laziness, or because that's what NAUI or PADI or GUE or anyone else told me to do - but as an informed decision that I've made.