Should I wear a snorkel or not

[David Novo]

11 is too low to make sense from a statistical perspective. But I agree in part with you, I am not sure of how likely is that an out of air buddy will grab the regulator I am breathing from... I dive the long hose for several other reasons (and just to avoid other flames, it's my choice, I do not judge people who dive standard octo, which is a fine choice as well).

I fully agree with you.

My point was not that anyone should dive a long hose to counter the possibility that a OOG diver will snatch your primary second stage (there are more valid reasons).

@Happyladydiver mentioned that she has a self-service approach because she expects an OOG diver to be stressed enough to just grab it and not wait for his/her buddy to donate.

As such, if you believe this is the case, better to plan for the possibility of this out-of-control and gas diver to grab your primary.

 

[Robbyg]

There are so many baked in positions on this forum, it's almost impossible to figure out what it best. I think part of the problem is that Vague questions in a hobby that has so many different specialties is not productive.

Just my 2 cents:

Should I wear a snorkel? : Yes if your snorkeling
Should I wear a snorkel if I am cave diving: NO
Should I wear a snorkel if I am wreck diving: Maybe but most times NO
Should I wear a Snorkel on a shallow reef dive: YES
Should I wear a Snorkel on a deep reef dive: Probably YES unless its a tour dive.

Most of my early diving days involved spearfishing and later in life it was just exploring the reefs. I would typically be trying to extend how much time I could explore the reef by heading along the reef as far as possible before turning around. Wave and current conditions were a big factor on when to turn around, but on a calm day It was very common for me to have to make a 1/2 - 1mile swim back to the boat on the surface.
A snorkel was not optional on trips like that.

 

[Neilwood]

I can only go with my experience.

As a baby OW diver & during training, snorkel was expected to be worn at all times and that is in line with "good practise".

We mostly dive here as independent pairs of divers with no DM or instructors about so our pairs tend to be self sufficient and fairly experienced (the expectation of tuition here is you WILL be autonomous divers and therefore should be able to operate as such straight out of OW). Once you gain a bit more experience, you can make decisions on your own. One of mine was that having a snorkel in place all the time is a nuisance but that having one on my person is still useful. We make a lot of dives here from shore with a decent surface swim so why not have something that allows me to see underwater on the way out and back if I want to? No point breathing down my back gas if there is a plentiful source available.

On that basis, I now have a foldable snorkel either in a pocket (if wearing a drysuit) or clipped to my BP&W with a wetsuit. It takes up almost zero space/ weight but allows me the option to switch if I want it. I can deploy it in a few seconds and stow it when I am finished using it in a few seconds.

 

[formernuke]

Then hopefully we can avoid that by having a conversation ahead of time as suggested above. Luckily, I’m quite new and it’s been programmed in my head to go for the octo so God willing I won’t be “crazed” and after their reg. Good to know though and I’ll be ready in case I’m on the receiving end of a diver desperate for air.

That brings me to another point touched on in another thread I also started. Prior to my first certified dive, I was dealing with the instructor who pushed in and set up my gear much to my chagrin. As I tested the octo, he commented, “Well that’s for your buddy. That’s your buddy’s problem” to imply it wasn’t necessary to test it. I disagreed then and I disagree now even more so. We have just covered another reason why it may be needed for ourselves.

I was taught you test both seconds. You then test both your buddies seconds and he or she test both your seconds as part of buddy checks.

This has changed with covid, I test both seconds and verbally check that buddy has checked both theirs.

 

[Colliam7]

I never wear the snorkel in my doubles (long hose), but when diving singles, the snorkel is always in the bag, just in case I have a need for it.

Probably the best / most succinct advice possible!

 

[Subcooled]

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

If you need to do long surface swims,
then a snorkel is a very good thing.
Else, it is a nuisance.

 

[TMHeimer]

If you need to do long surface swims,
then a snorkel is a very good thing.
Else, it is a nuisance.

Or having to tread water in really choppy/big surf because the boat has disappeared (but that has been said). Or current took you too far out and you need assistance to get back in.

 

[Anthony A.]

I've had to swim to shore a couple times and also do lots of shore diving. I swim backwards (on my back, face into the sky). Doesnt matter what type of weather conditions, it always works perfectly. A snorkel is cardinal sin in my book

 

[TMHeimer]

I've had to swim to shore a couple times and also do lots of shore diving. I swim backwards (on my back, face into the sky). Doesnt matter what type of weather conditions, it always works perfectly. A snorkel is cardinal sin in my book

Yeah that's what I do too when I feel I'm a bit too far from shore, and I rarely take my snorkel along now, though at times in the pocket. But, back in my snorkel wearing days, it never hindered me while surface swimming on my back. I can see it's use in the situations I previously mentioned, though. For me, it's not a sin, just rarely ever useful. I haven't used the foldable one since I spent the $20 on it over 10 years ago.

 

[Neilwood]

I've had to swim to shore a couple times and also do lots of shore diving. I swim backwards (on my back, face into the sky). Doesnt matter what type of weather conditions, it always works perfectly. A snorkel is cardinal sin in my book

Calling having a snorkel a cardinal sin is going a bit OTT imho. This is especially true when talking about new divers who might not have the knowledge/ experience to make informed decisions.

So you can't foresee any time you might want to swim out face down such as swimming over the top of a reef or spotting some wildlife below? On a site that is new to me I might want to scope the site from above to decide the best point for descending or to make a mental note of any "landmarks" (should that be seamarks?) en route.

I do spend the majority of my surface swims on my back (as you do) but I will still take a foldup snorkel with me in case I want it. If I don't use it it is out of the way, takes up very little space (especially when clipped to the BP&W) and has added a few grammes to my kit (not enough to notice).

I have certainly missed having a snorkel on one dive that I will always kick myself about - we were in the Red Sea on a rib coming back from the dive site to the liveaboard when a pod of dolphins swam alongside. Having no gas left in my tank (50 bar IIRC) and not having put my snorkel on my gear (I only had a rigid one as I didn't have the foldable one then - it was the first purchase I made on my return), I could only manage short bursts of having my face in the water whereas with the snorkel I would have been a lot more enjoyable..