Should I wear a snorkel or not

[Waterwulf]

Swimming on your back in a BPW isn’t difficult.

Maybe not but I prefer to see in front of me and what's under me. Even so, it may not be difficult but I'd bet that it's harder than swimming on your stomach. Plus, I have a lot less drag anyway since I use a horse collar BC. No wings or jackets flapping in the current, just a slim BC tight against my chest and a snorkel in my face!

 

[Joneill]

It is for a couple of hours in strong current.

...and having a snorkel hanging off of your mask while diving in strong currents is a great way to ensure mask leaks or even having the mask ripped right off of your face.

I see it as If folks want to use a snorkel while diving, then they should. However, they need to understand and accept the implications/tradeoffs that go with it and plan accordingly. I personally don't wear one as I find them incredibly annoying - but I can see someone wanting to have one for surface use/surface swims (though I'd suggest a folding one or some other way to store it (not on your mask) once under water).

 

[gopbroek]

Most folks I know do not even have a snorkel in their dive bag. Others who have decades of experience never go in the water without one. The bottom line is whatever makes the individual the most comfortable both physically and mentally is the best choice.

 

[MB NZ]

.and having a snorkel hanging off of your mask while diving in strong currents is a great way to ensure mask leaks or even having the mask ripped right off of your face.

I see it as If folks want to use a snorkel while diving, then they should. However, they need to understand and accept the implications/tradeoffs that go with it and plan accordingly. I personally don't wear one as I find them incredibly annoying - but I can see someone wanting to have one for surface use/surface swims (though I'd suggest a folding one or some other way to store it (not on your mask) once under water).

Having had a "lost at sea" experience, I wished I had a snorkel with me. A roll up snorkel in a pocket would is a good compromise. Snorkel flopping around on a mask during a dive? No.

 

[Waterwulf]

...and having a snorkel hanging off of your mask while diving in strong currents is a great way to ensure mask leaks or even having the mask ripped right off of your face.

I see it as If folks want to use a snorkel while diving, then they should. However, they need to understand and accept the implications/tradeoffs that go with it and plan accordingly. I personally don't wear one as I find them incredibly annoying - but I can see someone wanting to have one for surface use/surface swims (though I'd suggest a folding one or some other way to store it (not on your mask) once under water).

I agree with those statements. I keep mine stuffed thru my BFK straps on my calf when I'm on canned air. Then, if I need it on the surface, I just slip it up thru my mask strap. I started doing it that way after it rubbed a ceiling on my first ever cave dive. I was not having much fun when suddenly, something grabbed the side of head.

Contrary to what my partner claimed: I did not scream into my regulator! I simply removed the snorkel from my mask strap and stuck it thru my knife straps. I did use some extra air though!

 

[roadrunner0318]

Our instructor said they don’t use one personally but we should at least try it or at worst keep it in a pocket in case we ever want it since we are newly certified

 

[Subcooled]

Just like the title says, do I wear one or not? Thanks so much all and HNY

A snorkel is beneficial during long surface swims: you do not need to use valuable breathing gas while swimming to the dive spot and back. Under water it is just a nuisance, of course. There are also snorkels that you can roll up in your BCD pocket. It may help.

A snorkel is a tool and should be used as one - not always, but only as needed.

 

[divingdayz]

If you use a long hose setup for your regulators (like I do), never.

With a standard regulator configuration, totally up to you. I would say it's better to have one when you're starting out in diving and building confidence in the water. You can swim face-down without needing to use your tank supply for example. It's also useful when it's a little choppy on the surface to get air from a little higher up than your face which might get splashed often. Later, you can weigh the pros and cons of whether you want to keep the snorkel or not.

At higher levels of diving (tech, wreck, cave) you'll find that it is considered an entanglement hazard and forbidden in training. The long hose setup normally used in these types of diving can catch the snorkel when you share gas with your buddy and dislodge your mask. The location of the snorkel by your chin can also hinder deploying your necklace regulator.

At these levels, you're not typically going to swim long distances on the surface face down, but rather on your back, so a snorkel isn't much use and may actually dig into the water and give you a mouthful when you don't want it.

I also keep my regulator in my mouth at all times in the water, so I'm ready to take a clear breath of air with no risk of inhaling water accidentally from a snorkel.

Agencies like PADI require recreational instructors and students to have a snorkel during training, so if you see your instructor with one, it might not be their personal choice.

This is a very sensible answer. Thank you.

 

[jellycatsdad]

I was trained to always carry one. I’ve went on a few dives involving a boat drop without it. I’ll have a snorkel if starting from shore.

 

[Angelo Farina]

I was trained to always carry one. I’ve went on a few dives involving a boat drop without it. I’ll have a snorkel if starting from shore.

"carry" and 'wear" are not the same.
I often carry a snorkel stuffed away, I never wear it permanently on my mask.