detroit diver once bubbled...
Actually, it wasn't a setup. I'm really curious what example is being set. You're not on trial and the post wasn't meant to have been taken that way.
For the life of me, I can't figure out why anyone would want to wear one of those things, and I wondered where you were coming from. If you want to PM me, that's okay. Or you can just ignore it if you want.
It wasn't meant as a personal attack.
Sorry, I didn't mean it that way. I just meant that it was a "set up" for a long discussion on why people use them insted of just a survey on how many of us do.
I have found this board to be very addicting
in a good way. I am kinda busy today and was avoiding getting "sucked in" and blowing off my business tasks.
So i'll be brief.
Many experienced divers do not use snorkels for a number of reasons. I would never try to challenge them for something that should be a personal choice.
As far as teaching goes, PADI requires instructors and students to wear them.
1. Blast clearing, and displacement clearing techniques are taught in confined water training.
2. Snorkel/regulator exchange skill is taught in confined and open water training dives.
3. Liability, now I'm not a lawyer, but I think that perhaps somewhere down the line someone sucked their tank dry and either nearly drowned or drowned. Then a resulting lawsuit because they didn't have reasonable means to breathe while heading back to boat/shore.
I personally believe that the time to teach how to use a snorkel is in the beginning (OW), then people can make a choice if they want to use one, but at least they know proper techniques.
Also for some of us, we spend some time at the surface before & after a dive. In the northeast we do a lot of shore entries with long surface swims. Using the snorkel on the swim rather than the reg, saves air. Some people simply swim on their backs instead.However I've had a couple students who get seasick when swimming on their backs-even in mild surf. If they try to swim on their bellies with out an air source they are forced to raise their head above the surface. This arches the back and forces the legs downward resulting in a less effective kick cycle, thus using more energy.
Sometimes if you are waiting at the surface (for the rest of the group to get in the water for example) it's nice to float on your belly and look down at the reef, fish, wreck-whatever. Using the snorkel avoids using valuable tank air.
If someone accidently drains a tank, they can use the snorkel to swim back to the boat/shore. If someone surfaces far from the exit are (oops) they of course could use the reg, but eventually the tank may be empty if it is a long swim, the back-up, your snorkel.
On the lighter side, here are some other fun uses for a snorkel (besides the rum punch on I mentioned before).
1. Its a great back-scratcher-even under water, relieves the itch often accompanied by wearing a back-zip suit
2. You can make cool whale call sounds at the surface.
3. If you pop off the top and bottom of a snorkel, it can be used as a rolling pin. So you can make cookies in your hotel room on trips
4. You can pull out your snorkel underwater, pretend it is a pistol
and shoot at your buddies, baby seals and such.
5. If the boat is leaving without you, you can attach your snorkel to your reel line, and use it as a grappling hook to lasso the boat ladder.
6. Blasting shots of water at your buddies at the surface.
7. A new tired diver tow. Simply hook the j end of the snorkel under the victims chin and drag. (only works with the older j snorkels)
Texass,
Proper technique is part of the PADI program. If it was not taught, you may consider returning to your instuctor/LDS and asking that they provide this instruction, after all you paid for it.
There are two techniques taught.
1. Blast clearing. This is taught in confined water. First proper mask position: face in the water with top of mask even with surface. This should have you looking down at a 45 degree angle, thus the snorkel strait up. Looking strait down brings the snorkel close to the water surface inviting water in in even a mild surf.
Then, take a breath and duck below the surface and allow the snokel to fill with water important point-do not inhale under water with snorkel in mouth
. return to surface in proper mask position. Sharply exhale to blast snorkel clear of water. Use your tongue as a "splash guard" and take a cautious first breath. If there is still residual water in the bottom of the snorkel, you can blast a second time. Most newer snorkels have a one way valve in the bottom that alows most of the water to be easily blasted out. With the older "J" snorkel, sometimes placing your palm over the top, then blast as you move your hand works well.
2. Displacement clearing. This one is great for skin diving. Swim along at the surface. Take a couple of deep breaths to purge off CO2 (never more than 2 or 3 as this can result in "shallow water black-out"). Bend your body at the waist and swim straight down (bending at waist allows your feet to be strait up, which helps the initial descent). Check out the reef or whatever the case may be. When you return to the surface, swim straight up, while looking straight up(mask parallel to surface) this puts your snorkel into a lateral position. Reach up with your right arm (to block overhead obstructions). Just as your hand is about to break the surface, begin exhaling slowly. As you hit the surface pop back into the proper mask position immediately. When properly executed, the snorkel will be clear! Then same as above (tonque-splashguard), cautious first breath and finally check your direction of travel and signal OK to your buddy
Remember also your buddy should swim along at the surface so he/she is directly adjacent to you when you surface. When you skin dive I suggest one buddy at a time be under water. This way if there is a problem, your buddy can assist you more quickly. If you are both underwater together and let's say for example, your buddy gets entangled, your reaction would most likely be - just a sec, I'll come help you once I go get a breath of air.
PADI also has stringent standards on teaching CESA. The reg stays in, snorkel is not acceptable for this exercise. Also the Instructor needs to have contact with the diver. The instructor should also be using an ascent/desent line capable of halting a rapid ascent. We use a 350lb mooring with a bright yellow 1" diameter pollyprepaline line running from the mooring to the surface (floated by a buoy). The instructor wraps his/her leg around the line in order to control the ascent. Usually the instructor will hold his/her fingers lightly on your regulator so as to be sure you are exhaling.
If this was not done properly, you might consider reporting it to PADI. PADI would then diplomatically approach your instructor to be sure that they understand the requirrements. Thus in the future better/ safer training. Don't be afraid of getting them in trouble as PADI is pretty good with their approach of quality assurance.
Well so much for being brief....
Happy New Year!
Andrew
it involves far too many spirits mixed illegally together in a noxious form, consumed all in one go, and a guarenteed nasty hangover the next day! 
