NewB Hello &Q, Do you wear snorkel w/SCUBA?

[T.Gerken]

Hello,

I'm a new Scuba Board user and have a question for everyone. I have been cert. since the mid 1970's, but have not been diving for years. Recently got back into the water after a PADI refresher course.

Went on a dive recently with a dive master that suggested not wearing a snorkel on SCUBA dives. SHOCKED by the suggestion because I didn't remember this being an option, but I liked the idea (often it gets in the way). At the time, we were diving one of the springs in FL. Maybe one should make the judgement on a case by case basis. Any opinions :06:

Thanks,
Tracy

 

[orlock]

hmmmm... well.. like you, I was certified long ago (80s!) and got recertified two years ago. I dive in tropical waters and went this way:

As a newbie, I religiously wore a snorkel. Then as I got more dives under my belt, i stopped using one. The day came when I had a long wait in 2m seas, reg in mouth, air running low--boat was off picking up other divers...missing my snorkel.

Now I carry one of those folding ones in my bcd pocket with a HD male velcro patch aquasealed on, with a corresponding patch om my mask strap. Not in the way, but there when I need it. Of course, in really rough seas on the surface, you should have your reg in your mouth... the snork just saves some air when I'm waiting for the boat, other divers, etc and if I want to be face-in-water.

 

[Ron Brandt]

Welcome to the board!

I dive with a snorkel only when in teach mode and doing snorkel skills

I enjoy freediving as well and only depending on where I am do I use a snorkel.

Ron

 

[Tractor Tom]

Hello,

I'm a new Scuba Board user and have a question for everyone. I have been cert. since the mid 1970's, but have not been diving for years. Recently got back into the water after a PADI refresher course.

Went on a dive recently with a dive master that suggested not wearing a snorkel on SCUBA dives. SHOCKED by the suggestion because I didn't remember this being an option, but I liked the idea (often it gets in the way). At the time, we were diving one of the springs in FL. Maybe one should make the judgement on a case by case basis. Any opinions :06:

Thanks,
Tracy

I'm one of those that ALWAYS rigs with a snorkle. I find when diving in the lake or quarry, that by the time I rig, lug my gear to the water and paddle out to where we are going to drop in, I'm usually breathing hard. So I lay face down and check out the vis with snorkle in mouth, saving compressed air for the dive and catch my breath. With my backplate and wing I CAN get my head well above the water, but just like using the snorkle. I'm thinking that later in the season, I'll go to a folding snorkle and keep it in my waist pouch when diving, then I have it, but don't have it hanging next to my face.

It's really up to you. If diving in an 'overhead' environment like a wreck penetration or a cave, snorkles are NOT carried, but in open water, they are just plain handy to have.

Welcome to the scubaboard! Like you, I quit diving for a long time (20 years) and got back into it a couple years ago. Made nearly 50 dives last year, and considering that I'm on call half the time, was happy with that.

Again, welcome!

 

[pasley]

I always wear a snorkle, but rarely use it. I mostly beach dive (102 beach dives since 2001) but don't use it as it does restrict your beathing a little. Why do I wear it? Well sometimes the waves can come up and then it is good to have. When I am diving in Laguna Breach, it is the law there to ahve a snorkle on you. If the sea lions come around, I remove it before they do it for me. So put me down for the better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it school.

 

[DBailey]

I take it with me in the dive bag, and if the waters are rough I will wear it. If the waters are calm, I will risk it that they will be calm when I get back topside.

With more experience, my opinion may change.

 

[UndrWatrDan]

I was certified a long time ago and have religiously worn one. The last yr or so, I wear one in situations where I am assisting with a class and in areas where the waters may be rough and I may have to wait for the boat, ie Cozumel.

Danny

 

[gfisher4792]

I stopped wearing mine after my first certification dive. If I have to surface swim, I roll onto my back, which is better when kicking with fins anyway (keeps them underwater). I found that when I wore it, it pulled on my mask strap and with confirmation from others on the board, is an additional entanglement hazard, even in OW. Monofilament line is all over the place in my area. I am thinking of getting a folding snorkel, for those possible occasions when I need to surface swim while looking down into the water.

 

[Bluefish]

I wear mine about 90% of the time. Like everyone else, I rarely use it, but like having it there just in case.

 

[baitedstorm]

Now I carry one of those folding ones in my bcd pocket with a HD male velcro patch aquasealed on, with a corresponding patch om my mask strap. Not in the way, but there when I need it.

Great idea, I don't wear mine anymore because I always feel like its in the way. But just recently, I was kicking myself for leaving it on the boat and ended up using my (precious) air instead. I think its time to head down to the dive shop and grab one of those folding snorkels