Snorkel stowing
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BillP
Senior Member
Hi Aegir:
I took my snorkel off of my mask several years ago. On those occasions where I surface swim in scuba I usually prefer to do it on my back anyway, and I just don't like to snorkel in scuba gear. Initially I just put my old snorkel in my BC pocket. That didn't work out so great because it was one of those snorkels with a rigid breathing tube connected to a flexible corrugated tube leading to the mouthpiece. The corrugated tube would sometimes fall off the rigid part when folded in my pocket.
I now have one of Scubapro's two piece hinged folding snorkels that I keep in my BC pocket. It hasn't fallen apart (yet), it doesn't get in the way, it meets certain dive op's requirements for having a snorkel with you, and Scubapro's quick connect latch for the mask will come in handy if I have to get in the water right quick to freedive with that whaleshark. But that's all the "nice" that I can say about it. It's a pretty crummy snorkel IMHO (breathes wet, a 2-piece snorkel really isn't the best idea, etc.) and it was way too expensive. It does suit the purpose that I intend it for, but to be honest I think I would probably be better served by a one-piece rigid tube snorkel that I let partly dangle out of my too small BC pocket than what I have now. Simpler is better. I haven't tried any of the smooth but flexible one piece tube snorkels.
HTH,
Bill
I took my snorkel off of my mask several years ago. On those occasions where I surface swim in scuba I usually prefer to do it on my back anyway, and I just don't like to snorkel in scuba gear. Initially I just put my old snorkel in my BC pocket. That didn't work out so great because it was one of those snorkels with a rigid breathing tube connected to a flexible corrugated tube leading to the mouthpiece. The corrugated tube would sometimes fall off the rigid part when folded in my pocket.
I now have one of Scubapro's two piece hinged folding snorkels that I keep in my BC pocket. It hasn't fallen apart (yet), it doesn't get in the way, it meets certain dive op's requirements for having a snorkel with you, and Scubapro's quick connect latch for the mask will come in handy if I have to get in the water right quick to freedive with that whaleshark. But that's all the "nice" that I can say about it. It's a pretty crummy snorkel IMHO (breathes wet, a 2-piece snorkel really isn't the best idea, etc.) and it was way too expensive. It does suit the purpose that I intend it for, but to be honest I think I would probably be better served by a one-piece rigid tube snorkel that I let partly dangle out of my too small BC pocket than what I have now. Simpler is better. I haven't tried any of the smooth but flexible one piece tube snorkels.
HTH,
Bill
Maybe someone can elaborate on why this is such an issue?
Personally, I've always had my snorkel attached to my mask via quick release. With the exception of doing some cavern diving & a trip to Stingray City, I've never taken it off, nor have I found it necessary to do so. I've just found it too useful. Eg: hanging a tagline on the surface waiting for my students/buddy/group before heading down. I'd rather not use up my tank on the surface, so I use my snorkel.
And while surface swims on your back are the ideal, they're not always practical. So again, I use my snorkel.
Just wondering...
~SubMariner~
Personally, I've always had my snorkel attached to my mask via quick release. With the exception of doing some cavern diving & a trip to Stingray City, I've never taken it off, nor have I found it necessary to do so. I've just found it too useful. Eg: hanging a tagline on the surface waiting for my students/buddy/group before heading down. I'd rather not use up my tank on the surface, so I use my snorkel.
And while surface swims on your back are the ideal, they're not always practical. So again, I use my snorkel.
Just wondering...
~SubMariner~
Er Sub? I was just asking people where they like to stow there snorkel when they take it off there mask... if you dont take off your snorkel then thats cool too.
I was maybe thinking about making somekind of special leg pocket for my snorkel. Zeagle do a pocket for snorkels but it is hardly hydrodynamic so it doesnt solve the problem.
Bill... I dont think they make those snorkels anymore do they?
I was maybe thinking about making somekind of special leg pocket for my snorkel. Zeagle do a pocket for snorkels but it is hardly hydrodynamic so it doesnt solve the problem.
Bill... I dont think they make those snorkels anymore do they?
BillP
Senior Member
Hi Submariner, I don't think it's "such an issue", it's just my personal preference. I don't feel the need to always have a snorkel attached to my mask myself, and I don't care for the additional and unnecessary drag on my mask. I never found a snorkel much use once my head is deeper than a couple of inches and I can always take it out of my pocket if I do feel the need for it. If you like having a snorkel on your mask at all times, then go for it.
Aegir, I haven't looked into whether Scubapro still carries the snorkel since I bought mine. It was in their 2000 catalog, but I don't know about 2001.
Aegir, I haven't looked into whether Scubapro still carries the snorkel since I bought mine. It was in their 2000 catalog, but I don't know about 2001.
Aegir, ScubaPro still makes the snorkel in question, it's called the flip snorkel.
There is a model I prefer to it that alleviates the inherant problems associated with a hinged snorkel. Technisub makes(or used to make) a snorkel that has a bendable tube that had two purges on the bottom and a splash deflector up top. The tube can be bent into whatever shape you chose, but snapped back to it's original shape when you took it out of your pocket. The snorkel used to be in Aqualung/US Divers inventory, but isn't any longer. It always sold well at the dive shop, and cost around $20 US.
There is a model I prefer to it that alleviates the inherant problems associated with a hinged snorkel. Technisub makes(or used to make) a snorkel that has a bendable tube that had two purges on the bottom and a splash deflector up top. The tube can be bent into whatever shape you chose, but snapped back to it's original shape when you took it out of your pocket. The snorkel used to be in Aqualung/US Divers inventory, but isn't any longer. It always sold well at the dive shop, and cost around $20 US.
BillP
Senior Member
Mario, I think you're talking about the kind of flexible snorkel that I said I hadn't tried. It might very well be preferable to Scubapro's Flip snorkel.
Thanks Mario / Bill 
Yes your right I've been doing some surfing and I saw that scubapro still make the "flip snorkel".
There are also a few others that may work also. There is a new snorkel from oceanic called the "pocket snorkel" which has 2 flexible sections so you can fold it away. You can see that one here:
http://www.oceanicworldwide.com/Product.cfm?PL=snork&SL=pktsnrkl
Mario I think you are talking about the aqua-lung sidewinder ... the one with lots of watertight ball joints. I was concidering buying one but like you already said, aqua lung stopped making them for some reason... does anyone know why? I can get hold of this snorkel no problem it's just the fact they decided to stop making it that bothers me. I have e-mailed them to ask them too , so hopefully they will reply. Perhaps it just didnt work.
Yes your right I've been doing some surfing and I saw that scubapro still make the "flip snorkel".
There are also a few others that may work also. There is a new snorkel from oceanic called the "pocket snorkel" which has 2 flexible sections so you can fold it away. You can see that one here:
http://www.oceanicworldwide.com/Product.cfm?PL=snork&SL=pktsnrkl
Mario I think you are talking about the aqua-lung sidewinder ... the one with lots of watertight ball joints. I was concidering buying one but like you already said, aqua lung stopped making them for some reason... does anyone know why? I can get hold of this snorkel no problem it's just the fact they decided to stop making it that bothers me. I have e-mailed them to ask them too , so hopefully they will reply. Perhaps it just didnt work.
Probably the sorriest piece of gear ever released by Scubapro, the Flip snorkel as shipped is dangerously hard to clear. It has nothing to do with the folding joint, however, but with the physics of the purge valve. For compactness, the valve has practically no sump at all, the effect of which is that when you attempt to clear the snorkel your clearing breath simply exits the purge valve, leaving the snorkel tube full of water. If you press them, Scubapro will ship you a replacement mouthpiece with no purge, and your Flip snorkel will breathe nice and dry... and you'll be a much happier camper.
Rick
Rick
BillP
Senior Member
Thanks Rick. Your description fits what I've noticed about the snorkel, but I hadn't been able to figure out why it stayed so "wet" all the time. Your explanation of the problem makes sense. I'll contact them about a new mouthpiece. (I was looking for a snorkel without a purge anyway.) Who would be best to contact? Do you think it would be better to go through the Scubapro dealer where I bought it or go directly to Scubapro?
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