Who dives with a snorkel?

[tomgrogan]

I always dived with my snorkel except one time. Unfortunately, that was the one time I needed it. I would much rather deal with an entanglement involving a long regulator hose than a long swim in choppy waters. Also, I don't see how swimming on your back enables you to easily see where you are going.

 

[sarita75]

IAlso, I don't see how swimming on your back enables you to easily see where you are going.

I always felt the same way but I have had pretty good success using a fixed point as a reference when swimming on my back. That being said, however, when the water is at all "unpleasant" at the surface, I prefer to be face down, watching where I am going.

 

[Nemrod]

I always felt the same way but I have had pretty good success using a fixed point as a reference when swimming on my back. That being said, however, when the water is at all "unpleasant" at the surface, I prefer to be face down, watching where I am going.

That is because I bet your not using a wing/BP system. Many divers can and do long surface swims on their back and it is easy to navigate and see boats and watercraft. You certainly cannot face down. Even in rough water I prefer this method, it seems to work best for people who have a high comfort level in the water--a wave over my face is just a refreshing moment--not a problem to me.

N

 

[Texas_Aggie06]

after my open water course, i don't see any need other than if i were to do a long surface swim. but, even then i have found swimming on my back to be much easier anyway.

 

[Rockhound76]

I'll get flamed for some violation of the "rules" of proper diving, but I once got very tired (bored) on an inadvertant and supremely long upcurrent swim. For a change of pace, I slid out of my weight-integrated ATPAC and used it like a raft. Much better, IMO, than trying to snorkel face-down to the boat.

The back kick is better efficiency-wise, but my rafting provided some relief. It was rough, so I slipped my arms through the harness and hugged the tank. When I got closer to the boat, I climbed back into it to ascend the ladder, as MY FRIENDS were unwilling to schlept (is that a word) it into the boat for me.

 

[Thalassamania]

I'll get flamed for some violation of the "rules" of proper diving, but I once got very tired (bored) on an inadvertant and supremely long upcurrent swim. For a change of pace, I slid out of my weight-integrated ATPAC and used it like a raft. Much better, IMO, than trying to snorkel face-down to the boat.

The back kick is better efficiency-wise, but my rafting provided some relief. It was rough, so I slipped my arms through the harness and hugged the tank. When I got closer to the boat, I climbed back into it to ascend the ladder, as MY FRIENDS were unwilling to schlept (is that a word) it into the boat for me.

I see nothing wrong with that, I've done it myself on occasion.

 

[Matt S.]

I have one of those flappy-ended dry snorkels. I like using it, and it works well. I have posted before in defense of the snorkel. But 40 dives later...

It gets in the way so much that I don't use it anymore. As mentioned earlier it interferes with deploying the long hose. It also dangles around my inflater so when I reach for it I need to take a moment to figure out if I have grabbed the right thing or not.

I swim on my back, and use my compass to keep me on course. I turn around and take a look periodically too.) I would find a way to take it with me if I thought the dive called for it. Otherwise, no.

I also usually have a bigger tank than my buddy so I am not shy about spending a couple hundred PSI on the surface swim if it makes it more comfortable.

 

[Nemrod]

I'll get flamed for some violation of the "rules" of proper diving, but I once got very tired (bored) on an inadvertant and supremely long upcurrent swim. For a change of pace, I slid out of my weight-integrated ATPAC and used it like a raft. Much better, IMO, than trying to snorkel face-down to the boat.

The back kick is better efficiency-wise, but my rafting provided some relief. It was rough, so I slipped my arms through the harness and hugged the tank. When I got closer to the boat, I climbed back into it to ascend the ladder, as MY FRIENDS were unwilling to schlept (is that a word) it into the boat for me.

I won't flame you. This was once how it was done shore diving (realizing your were on a boat) before there were BCs. We used innertube dive floats and paddle boards (a thick surfboard) for reaching dive sites and returning to shore. It was far easier than trying to "snorkel" out and back and since when I first began diving there not only were no BCs but there were no back inflate or wings thus surface swimming was tiring. Face down (snorkeling) the tank pressed you down, on your back worked ok for a little while but then the tank drug you down. When horsecollar BCs came along it suddenly became very easy to surface swim on my back, the BC on the chest and the tank below was naturally efficient and stable, and soon many abandoned their surface flaots, innertubes and paddle boards. Soooo, you were using your gear somewhat as we would have used an innertube or paddle board.
N

 

[diverdowndh]

I'm somewhat surprised... guess I am THE dork diver - I always have my snorkel on my mask when I dive. My fiance' is such a low consumption diver I use my snorkel when I first get in to conserve hitting my tank, and whenever I come up I use it on the surface.
And yes, I've tried to go down with a snorkel in my mouth instead of my reg, ha!

 

[astromattical]

While not a diver yet, I plan on always have a snorkel with me. *IF* it even gets in the way, that's no big deal - I'd rather have another option for breathing at the surface if the need presents itself.