Snorkel Question

[lifes an ocean]

Okay, So i searched the archives and pulled up a crap load of threads, but couldn't find the answer I was looking for. As apart of the basic package you need to start learning to dive is Snorkel. Well I read through and read about quite a few veteran, and novice, and those inbetween, who loose the snorkel after a bit. Why is it the snorkel gets such a quick toss? I look at it as a redundant safety device, where as others see it as a nusance. Or do they see it as "class" Warfare, where they don't want to be equated to a snorkeler?

Just call me curious

 

[diver 85]

I stand by my previous thoughts on this matter.......It's only a piece of equipment that might save a diver's life one day---nothing more or nothing less....

 

[Dr Neil]

Try diving in a good stiff current with a snorkel attached and you'll learn why most divers abandon the snorkel.

However, a snorkel that folds into a pocket is a a good piece of safety equipment.

 

[bamamedic]

I don't wear a snorkel because most of my diving is done in quarries, lakes, and springs. Usually, I'm just a short surface swim away from an exit point, and I don't have to worry about current, tides, or getting abandoned by a dive boat.

If I dove in the ocean, I think I'd consider carrying a fold-up snorkel in a pocket somewhere. I never liked it hanging from my mask (seemed to drag on it and cause it to leak a bit at the side, plus it just felt weird hanging there).

Seems like a snorkel might come in handy while on the surface in slightly choppy seas, and since I don't have the ocean experience to decide yet whether it's useful for me or not, I'll probably just carry one until I've got the experience to decide for myself.

 

[WarrenZ]

I have found that it is less stressful in some situations to leave the snorkel on the boat and go on tank air from the time you jump off the back until you are back on board and in the tank rack. However take this with a grain of salt we were diving the yukon in 6-8' seas and the waves were breaking over us on the surface. Other times for a long surface swim I usually float on my back and swim I havent worn a snorkel for 5 years except if I wasnt wearing a tank.

 

[fisheater]

I find my snorkel useful more than a problem.

Heck, I once even wore it and my mask while sitting in the bow of a RIB heading into some rough water and spray. I know that I looked like a total dork, but I was able to breath and see just fine.

YMMV.

 

[ligersandtions]

I do not wear a snorkel....I dive in places that have kelp, and the snorkel would be an entanglement hazard. Also, I dive in places with seals and sea lions, and while I've never seen it, I've heard that the silly creatures like to grab onto and pull things like snorkels....

I do a lot of shore dives in socal....this often involves surf entries/exits, some swell, and some current. On any surface swim I do, I lay back and kick myself backwards. There has never been a time that I wished I had a snorkel. If I ever felt I needed a snorkel, I would put my reg in my mouth....and before you get to the "what if you don't have gas left in your tank?", I do my part when it comes to gas management to ensure that I will never come up with an empty tank....if I came up with an empty tank, I really screwed something up.

For me, I think a snorkel is a useless piece of "gear" unless I'm snorkeling....in which case, I will gladly attach it to my mask and go from there.

 

[Diveral]

Well, when you're diving with us this summer we will probably be diving on one of those high current days where you will definitely feel the drag from the snorkel. You won't see me wearing one but it'll be in my pocket.

AL

 

[String]

Why is it the snorkel gets such a quick toss? I look at it as a redundant safety device, where as others see it as a nusance.

As done to death in 200+ threads on here (of which 4 are active at this very minute) i fil to see how a snorkel provides ANY form of safety what so ever under any conceivable condition on a dive. I have also witnessed first hand underwater incidents and problems CAUSED by them. So im quite happy to call them a dangerous item and not take one on a dive.

 

[Thalassamania]

As done to death in 200+ threads on here (of which 4 are active at this very minute) i fil to see how a snorkel provides ANY form of safety what so ever under any conceivable condition on a dive. I have also witnessed first hand underwater incidents and problems CAUSED by them. So im quite happy to call them a dangerous item and not take one on a dive.

I'd be interested in hearing about incidents and problems that were caused by a snorkel. Are you sure the causes were not a lack of knowledge concerning how to properly wear it and use it?