Should I wear a snorkel or not

[doctormike]

Sometimes OOA is equipment failure so not really a skills problem. So you can have air in your tank and not be able to use it.

OK, you are right.

 

[Blackcrusader]

I don't - because my hair gets tangled in it .

I am not sure a snorkel is the only thing causing hair to get tangled. On this dive I was convinced that mermaids do exist.
Every time she breathed out my heart went all a flutter.

 

[Jafo19D]

No! Constantly clearing your mask because a snorkel is breaking your skirt seal makes your mask fog up.

Shhhhhhhhh!

Hmmmm. I wear a snorkel every dive and I don’t have that problem at all. And it’s a completely rigid snorkel not the kind where the bottom part is flexible.

Fir everyone rationalizing that you won’t need it I suggest you watch Blackhawk Down.

 

[David Novo]

Hmmmm. I wear a snorkel every dive and I don’t have that problem at all. And it’s a completely rigid snorkel not the kind where the bottom part is flexible.

Fir everyone rationalizing that you won’t need it I suggest you watch Blackhawk Down.

For an emergency, you can have it in your pocket (and for that it needs to be foldable).
It can be a mess to wear one all the time with a long hose.

 

[BoltSnap]

Hmmmm. I wear a snorkel every dive and I don’t have that problem at all. And it’s a completely rigid snorkel not the kind where the bottom part is flexible.

Fir everyone rationalizing that you won’t need it I suggest you watch Blackhawk Down.

Exactly, everyone is trying to rationalize that they don't need it and use very "weak stories" to do so compensating for poor and inadequate training.

 

[doctormike]

Exactly, everyone is trying to rationalize that they don't need it and use very "weak stories" to do so compensating for poor and inadequate training.

I actually think that the pushback is to the position that you absolutely need it for every dive, which from what I can tell is the official position of at least one major training agency. Now you could say that this is just for training, but most infrequent divers (i.e. most certified scuba divers) just do what they learned in training when they go diving, so it tends to carries over.

I think that the "anti-snorkel" posts can be broken down into two categories:

- Objection to the idea of wearing it on the mask
- Objection to the idea that you need it for every dive, and if you don't have it you are putting yourself at risk

I can't think of anyone in this thread or elsewhere objecting to the idea of carrying a foldable snorkel in case you are in the situation where you want one unexpectedly. Saying that people object to that is kind of a straw man argument.

I guess I can see that it would be convenient or comfortable in some circumstances, but I don't see that not having a snorkel - even on an ocean dive - would be a major SAFETY issue. And that's an important distinction. Unless, I guess, you are diving in situations where helicopters and rocket propelled grenades are a consideration.

 

[NorCalDM]

Only on SB we can have a 13 page argument over wearing a snorkel or not and this is not the first time? If you feel there is benefit in wearing one go for it if not then don't shouldn't be shamed either way.

 

[Altamira]

Only on SB we can have a 13 page argument over wearing a snorkel or not and this is not the first time? If you feel there is benefit in wearing one go for it if not then don't shouldn't be shamed either way.

And you can put a lot of money on this not bring the last time. Same with split fins, bp/w vs jackets, etc., etc., but this is to be expected with a continuous influx of new divers. It's all good, and I am certainly grateful to have this board, and its broad spectrum of a diverse number of divers' opinions. This board was not around when I started diving, and appreciate the constant opportunity to review my previously held opinions on a wide variety of subjects, often finding flaws in my thought process. That is a good thing: It shows my brain is still functioning.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

For the snorkel wearers on this thread I have numerous snorkels I've found lying on the bottom at Blue Heron Bridge dropped by newbies. They are gathering dust in the garage. These are the giant fancy ones with all the bells and whistles. I guess I should post them for sale.

 

[Celt]

This tread has proved people’s like or dislike of a snorkel comes down to their personal experience using one. I won’t go without one but I was skin diving for years before scuba and still love the freedom of it. Also the surf zone on Ireland’s south and west coast can be treacherous at any time of year and this seems to be getting worse as the years go by.