Snorkel side

[MSilvia]

I've heard/read/been taught that the proper place for a snorkel (if you choose to wear one) is on the left side of the mask. When mine is there, I find that it is often easily confused (by touch while wearing gloves) with the inflator hose, and so choose to wear it on the right. I can't for the life of me remember why this isn't recommended.

Could someone refresh my memory? So far, it's been working out very well for me.

 

[dotyj]

Mine's the wrong shape to wear on the right.

 

[WreckWriter]

because your reg comes around from the right side.

Tom

 

[MSilvia]

but if it's just that, I'll keep it there. I've never had a problem confusing my snorkel with a reg hose. Is that the problem it's supposed to cause?

 

[WreckWriter]

With the snorkel on the right the mouthpiece is right there with your reg making things too busy in that area. I don't know if confusion is the issue or just clutter.

Tom

 

[Wendy]

Possible clutter is a good point. Also the reg hoses could get entangled with the snorkel in an OOA situation (it cold happen).

Do you keep your inflator hose secured in place? Fastening it down to your BC might help you from getting the two confused.

 

[MSilvia]

It isn't very cluttered when on the right, but with a straight flexible snorkle tube like I have, it's easy to confuse with the flexible inflator control tube that's inches away from it and routed in the same direction when on the left. They are of similar diameter, are both corrugated and flexible, and close enough to get in the way of one another when mounted that way... even with the inflator secured, which it always is when I use it.

I won't confuse the mouthpieces with it right mounted, because I expect to find my regulator mouthpiece at the end of a L.P. hose, not right next to my chin. I consider the likelyhood of entanglement with a hose negligable, especially in an OOA situation, when I'd be either breathing off of an alternate reg that isn't routed nearby, or a buddy's air, in which case I don't see how it would matter which side it's on.

Thanks for the input everyone... I like to know the rationale behind something before deciding to make a change, but I think this is one I'll stick with.

 

[Wendy]

Don't attach the snorkel to your mask. Just tuck it away somewhere on you, whether against your tank, or in a pocket if it will fit. I've never understood why you need it on your mask when you're underwater, who uses a snorkel while underwater. Just so long as you have it for when you need it on the surface.

 

[Butch103]

Wendy once bubbled...
Don't attach the snorkel to your mask. Just tuck it away somewhere on you, whether against your tank, or in a pocket if it will fit. I've never understood why you need it on your mask when you're underwater, who uses a snorkel while underwater. Just so long as you have it for when you need it on the surface.

After pondering your statement Wendy it does make sense however, I suppose that if you needed it in an emergency at surface...you would have to dig it out of a pocket........

 

[sheck33]

Unless i am on a boat doing boatdives (doh ) i dont even TAKE a snorkel, and even then the one place it will NOT be is on my mask.

snorkels are very efficient 'mask-removers' and surprisingly useless under water