snorkel, what’s it good for?

[Eric Sedletzky]

What I think is sad, and something that has the potential to confuse and prevent new divers from making their own choices, is the constant bashing by the snorkel haters. I'm sick and tired of hearing about how useless they are and the implication that anybody who uses a snorkel is an idiot and somehow less of a diver for doing something so foolish. That's how some of you come off. Obviously you've never dove in an environment where a snorkel can come in very handy and could actually be considered a vital piece of gear.

I'm not just talking about adverse surface conditions, I have different ways of dealing with that, but on shore dives where there is a lot of kelp and weeds to contend with and belly crawling over barely submerged rocks and the kelp crawl wilst using a snorkel are considered a viable and superior method of dealing with these hazards. Reg breathing and or laying on your back trying to navigate through this environment is what begins to look silly, not the snorkeller. The front side of you has a lot less entaglement hazards than your backside with the tank sticking out, so it makes sense to surface swim face down. The atmosphere is plentiful and free, tank air is not. Breathholding while surface swimming face down is not a good method because of C02 buildup. Starting a dive panting for air because of inadequate breathing during the surface swim seems like a silly sacrifice just because somebody doesn't think it looks cool to be seen using a snorkel.

Maybe for you strictly boat divers and shore divers in clean warm unobstructed waters a snorkel is not needed, but don't minimize and ridicule those of us that find it a very useful tool please.

Some of aren't hog loopers either so donation of an octo with a snorkel is a non issue.

 

[BoltSnap]

ZKY,

Well said!!

In New England we have lobster trap lines that we have to contend with that keep getting caught in the tank valves. These lines are right below the surface where they get caught in the valve if you are swimming on your back and not paying attention to these lines.

It is pathetic indeed when so called dive professionals resort to personal attacks and belittling opinions and experiences of others who have a different point of view or have different experiences. It would appear that the vocal minority seems to think that they are right just by speaking louder to suppress thoughts that are very different from theirs. It also seem that some people object to snorkels not because there is anything inherently wrong with snorkels but rather it is because most of these folks have poor skin diving skills and were not trained properly in snorkel use. It is easier for them to attack and dismiss other people’s thoughts than to get back to basics and learn proper skills. It seems that in the wake of some agencies' rush to certify the greatest number of divers in the shortest time possible, the watered down training has created a generation of divers who are unappreciative of basic skills and are unable to see the benefits they can get from these basic skills. They are willing to blame the snorkel for inhaling water when the seas few inches high not their inability to use the snorkel properly. (I have been in rough seas with waves that have white caps and I still managed to use the snorkel no problem. Actually never thought much of it.)

I am very amazed when a so called dive instructor/leader would actually come out in the open and insist that snorkels are bad just because he/she can’t tell the difference between a snorkel and his BC LPI just because he/she is using thick gloves. I have dove in the frigid waters of Maine and Massachusetts in December through February and have used all types of gloves, mitts and even the really thick Viking dry gloves and I have never confused the BC LPI with the snorkel or any other piece of equipment. I have learned to know where my equipment is by touch and know what is what without having to be able to see it. I would NEVER jump in the water if I am unable to tell the difference between different pieces of equipment or, worse, can’t tell the difference between a freaking snorkel and my BC LPI!!! Again, this illustrates that the rushed lobotomized training people have been getting is actually deep rooted and is affecting people’s understanding and appreciation of the value of basic skills to the point where “basic skills” are now perceived to be unsafe skills (if you can't do it or master it, just say that it is unsafe) just to hide one's shortcomings.

 

[DennisS]

Snorkels are obsolete

They are still around and being used by many divers, dive shops still sell them, manufacturers are still making them, hardly obsolete

 

[Sas]

What I think is sad, and something that has the potential to confuse and prevent new divers from making their own choices, is the constant bashing by the snorkel haters.

Yea right... we're not talking about children here. People who say 'new divers might think such and such' are really not giving people enough credit to make sensible decisions.

I'm sick and tired of hearing about how useless they are and the implication that anybody who uses a snorkel is an idiot and somehow less of a diver for doing something so foolish.

Just stop caring about what other people think of your gear. It makes life much more pleasant.

 

[burna]

What I think is sad, and something that has the potential to confuse and prevent new divers from making their own choices, is the constant bashing by the snorkel haters. I'm sick and tired of hearing about how useless they are and the implication that anybody who uses a snorkel is an idiot and somehow less of a diver for doing something so foolish.

I agree. I wish people would just read other peoples opinion and just accept it without getting so agro about it.

Noobs can then just read the useful info and easily conclude that snorkels are useless and should be piffed!

 

[bowlofpetunias]

Sas said it well. Don't insult the intelligence of new divers. Just because they are New to DIVING don't assume they can't wade through the rhetoric and come to reasonable conclusions about what it right for them.

IMHO fear mongering and belittling comments are not an effect way to convince anyone of anything. Seems to me there has been enough bashing, personal attacks and belittling from both sides on this issue! I find it interesting that people feel they can come to the following conclusions because I normally don't carry a snorkel....

1) I have never experienced bad conditions
2) I have inadequate training
3) I have inadequate skills
4) I lack basic skills
5) I am so unfit that a surface swim on my back leaves me out of breath:shocked2:
6) I can't deal with kelp effectively

and my personal favorite

I DON'T USE A SNORKEL BECAUSE I AM MORE CONCERNED ABOUT LOOKING COOL THAN BEING SAFE!

What people post about themselves or say about their dive skills means nothing really. The true measure comes when you get in the water with them or when they get in the water with you! I do hate to see new SB members put off of the forum or reluctant to post questions because self professed experts can't present their positions in a professional, matter of fact and unemotional manner.:blinking:

 

[bowlofpetunias]

I agree. I wish people would just read other peoples opinion and just accept it without getting so agro about it.

Noobs can then just read the useful info and easily conclude that snorkels are useless and should be piffed!

Trust you to kick the road apples out of the way with a good chuckle

 

[k ellis]

They are still around and being used by many divers, dive shops still sell them, manufacturers are still making them, hardly obsolete

True they are. In all aspects of life things that are obsolete are still sold. Obsolete doesnt mean no longer made it just means that newer and more modern approaches are available.

Look at the mower for example. You can still buy motorless mowers that use motion alone to turn the blades. They are obsolete but none the less still available.

Look at bicycles. For their true intended purpose and reason they were invented they are now obsolete as cars provide faster and more comfortable commuting. However obsolete they are they still have a purpose in excerising and also trail riding and those who can not drive for what ever reason.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

A bicycle is not obsolete! of course if you can't recognize that simple concept, then it is no wonder you would classify a snorkel as obsolete.

Calling a snorkel obsolete is really one of the stupidest comments I have read on this board. It may not be needed or appropriate for certain conditions, but it sure as hell ain't obsolete.

 

[k ellis]

A bicycle is not obsolete! of course if you can't recognize that simple concept, then it is no wonder you would classify a snorkel as obsolete.

Calling a snorkel obsolete is really one of the stupidest comments I have read on this board. It may not be needed or appropriate for certain conditions, but it sure as hell ain't obsolete.

As I stated the bicycle is obsolete for its intended purpose.

And calling a snorkle obsolete is not one of the stupedist comments made but instead one you view as stupid. it was a comment stated as a view of opinion. But hey we are all free to see things our own way and thats what makes America so great . Sorry you dont agree.