I’ve never seen one piece of gear like snorkels cause so much brouhaha!
Split fins?
Yes snorkels are useful for navigating through kelp whilst surface swimming on your belly.
Agreed
They are also good for long surface swims where one chooses to swim out on their belly and save air.
Surface swimming face down in a BP/W is more efficient than swimming on your back because (a) you can see where you’re going by popping your head once in a while up or looking at your compass instead of needing to crane your neck to see where you’re headed, and (b) you’re not dragging a tank that’s hanging down through the water. Your front side is more slick than your backside for slipstreaming (if you’re in a plate and simple harness).
I agree it is more efficient. However, I find a motorcycle hand mirror super useful for keeping track of my buddies behind me, swimming on my back towards a target, and also checking myself out as I always look so good! (kidding)
But honestly, you might think I’m some sort of snorkel zealot, I’m really not, but if the situation calls for it I have absolutely no reservations using one. I have not used one now shore diving on our coast in a long time due to there is no kelp.
You're a zealot (kidding). Hey, it makes absolute sense for that.
I also never use one boat diving or kayak diving.
It is a rare exception to see people swimming face down when shore diving around here. A few dive sites (like Edmonds Underwater Park) have long surface swims, but most don't as it is a good way to get run over by a boat.
So I’m not in the camp of “always have a snorkel on no matter what!”
Understood
Just like I get concerned from the anti snorkel crowd when I hear “useless!” and “never use a snorkel!”.
It is useful for snorkeling!
In all seriousness, when diving OC, I have a collapsible one in a pocket.
A new diver very well may have a need for a snorkel occasionally, so making them feel stupid that they use a snorkel, or a snorkel is for newbies and they will eventually see the light and get rid of it, or saying a snorkel is always worthless is really irresponsible IMO.
In most places, I would say they don't need it. However, it isn't a bad thing to have for an emergency. Case in point. If I were left at sea and I had to swim to land, I sure as Hell woudln't want to swim on my back, but on my stomach. But 99% of the time I don't need one. But there are scenarios where one is absolutely useful. I think it is because snorkels are rammed down our throats as must haves that there is this reaction. As I could easily teach open water to students without one. However, given that on rare occasion they would benefit from them, I would be shortchanging them if I didn't teach them how to use them properly.
Some instructors will do the minimum of have them use a snorkel on their first open water dive and then get rid of them. I disagree with that. I think they should be taught to remove their snorkel, store it, dive, on ascent restore it.
