How to Use a Snorkel?

[ricefran]

I know this is a newbie question, but somehow I couldn't figure this out. Is it my gear or what?

I'm going to Cancun in 2 weeks, so I bought the U.S divers set with mask, seabreeze dry snorkel, and fins. The snorkel has splash guard and when water fills in the tube, water will drain out at the bottom of the snorkel. I tried them at a pool nearby today. The mask and fins are okay. I can breathe through the snorkel when I'm not underwater. But once I enter the water, I have problem breathing in. I felt like there's some resistance. I can breathe out, but not breathe in. Help..

 

[DennisS]

Welcome to scubaboard, are you getting water in the tube when you breath in. If so adjust the snorkel, if not just breathe slowly and relax.

 

[DevonDiver]

The most common problem is that people setup the snorkel at the wrong angle from the mask, - so that when their head is submerged the snorkel is actually slopping across and not clear of the water.

When you are snorkelling... feel the snorkel with your hand... make sure it is fully vertical and clear of the water in your normal face-down position.

The other possible issues are:

It is a 'dry snorkel' - maybe the valve is sticking on inhalation. That should be noticeable on dry land though... so you can discount it if you have no problem breathing your snorkel out of the water.

The dry valve is not guaranteed to prevent some water entering the snirkel. Over the space of a few breaths, there could be a water accumulation inside the snorkel. Do you get water in your mouth when you inhale? If so, you should be able to 'clear' the water from the snorkel by simply blowing out hard, with one long continuous blow. This will push the water out of the snorkel.

Otherwise.... you might just be feeling some water pressure resistance against your chest. This may be more noticeable if you are vertical in the water (i.e. treading water) rather than horizontal at the surface. You can breath in, but it will take slightly more lung strength to overcome the 'weight' of water pressing against your chest.

Hope that helps.

 

[DevonDiver]

That might be the problem right there.

That's unlikely, given what he described.

Far more likely is a combination of water pressure on the chest, coupled with a small amount of tension caused by stress.

I've encountered more than a few non-divers, without much in-water experience, who encounter problems with snorkelling. I can understand that the OP could have an issue with this - and it could stem from either incorrect procedures, a gear fault or even simple stress/tension.

 

[ricefran]

Thanks a lot for the reply. I am not going to the pool today so will try tmr when I am there. I will let you guys know how it goes.

I am a long time swimmer, so breathing IN the water seemed a bit weird to me.

 

[ricefran]

Ok I tried it again. I wasn't used to breathing in water that's why I find it difficult to breathe in. The pressure under water is greater than when I was above water. So it takes more muscles to expand my lungs then I thought. I need to practice more so that when I am at Cancun I can enjoy my time there.

I also have problem with clearing water in my snorkel. After I dive in, I try to blow water out of my snorkel. I find there is small amount of water remaining in the tube. The only way to get rid of all of them is to lift my head up to let water drain out the bottom of the snorkel. But how do you tread water with the fins on? What position do you need to be in so that I can lift my head up high above water?

 

[DevonDiver]

Ok I tried it again. I wasn't used to breathing in water that's why I find it difficult to breathe in. The pressure under water is greater than when I was above water. So it takes more muscles to expand my lungs then I thought.

Most new snorkellers underestimate the impact of water pressure on breathing resistance.

For every 1m depth, there is an additional 1.47psi of pressure exerted on the torso as resistance to inhalation. That's a substantial amount of resistance for the diaphram to overcome when trying to draw air into the lungs from the surface.

Scuba divers breath pressurized air, which balances the ambient pressure of the water... so we don't notice any resistance.

I also have problem with clearing water in my snorkel. After I dive in, I try to blow water out of my snorkel. I find there is small amount of water remaining in the tube.

The 'blast clear' method of emptying a snorkel is effective, but a single blast can leave small traces of water in the snorkel. A second blast is sometimes needed to completely empty it.

Always maintain 'airway' control when you breath from a snorkel - especially after clearing it. It pays to assume and anticpate that some water may remain. You can use your tongue as a 'splashguard' to intercept any remaining water on inhalation... and make your first inhalation slow and cautious.

Here is a video clip from the PADI diver training course DVD that deals with snorkel clearing (it is equally applicable to snorkellers).

But how do you tread water with the fins on? What position do you need to be in so that I can lift my head up high above water?

It is easy to clear your head from the water when wearing fins, but it relies on an effective finning technique. Keep your legs virtually straight and point your toes downwards. Many people new to fins make the mistake of 'bicycle kicking', where they kick by flexing their knees and have their ankles loose or perpendicular to their legs. That won't provide much propulsion.

This video illustrates proper finning technique (again, it is a scuba video, but is equally applicable to snorkelling and for use at the surface)

 

[ricefran]

excellent excellent info Andy! Just what I need.

 

[g1138]

One thing Andy forgot to mention is that if your snorkel has a purge (the thing that lets water drain out of the bottom)
it is possible to do a blast clear too forcefully.
Blast clearing too forcefully will actually push most of the air out the bottom and leave more water in the snorkel.
For a grown adult it really doesn't take much effort to clear a snorkel. Try doing it lightly and then increase the pressure of your exhale till you get it right.

Alternatively you could just cup your hand under the snorkel to prevent this from happening.
There should be a round silicon piece at the bottom of your snorkel. You'll want to keep this from popping out when you clear.

 

[Alwaysfc]

You will be hooked on diving before long!