Why (or why not) should a snorkel be donned?

[fisherdvm]

A mexican DM told me, no one uses them anymore... I find this risky, and will contribute to diver fatalities.

As we lower standard on swimming, conditioning, and OW training - we are asking for trouble. Let me know your opinions.

 

[drew52]

Personally I keep one in my pocket. Don't need it while I'm diving and I'm happy swimming on my back if I'm on the surface. But it is there if I need it.

 

[*Floater*]

I've never heard of a diving fatality which might have been avoided if a snorkel had been available. Has anyone else?

If you plan to do a long surface swim, then maybe you should pack the snorkel, otherwise it just gets in the way, especially if clipped on the mask.One option is to have a small folding snorkel and leave it in the pocket, out of the way.

But despite the merits, the DM is correct, no one uses them anymore, at least not where I've been diving... And I doubt that's about to change.

 

[scarefaceDM]

I have,,,« Man was abused by wife for diving too much...Snorkle was the cause of this mans demise...she beat him with it...»

Snorkel is for snorkeling not for diving. Under the water..a snorkel has really no place to be other than in a pocket. For when a surface swim is needed then a snorkel can be used. Other than that..swim on your back. Put your reg in your mouth.

This snorkel debate has been rehashed soooooooo many times....

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

Agreed. I'm a diver, not a snorkeler. I've never had one instance yet, where I've regretted not having a snorkel, even with lengthy surface swims.

 

[loosebits]

Agreed. I'm a diver, not a snorkeler. I've never had one instance yet, where I've regretted not having a snorkel, even with lengthy surface swims.

What he said.

 

[fisherdvm]

My rationale for the maintenance of a donned snorkel is:

1. BC malfunction when donning buoyant gear. It will force you to ditch your weight due to the heavy lead you have on.

2. Make you a better buddy - when your buddy is in trouble, it helps you to have better visibility at the surface to help him (without using your regulator).

3. Save lives - especially with anxious beginner, or those who have weak swimming abilities. Enough anxiety already at the surface, add a few foot of waves, and they will panic. A snorkel will remove the need to gasp for air, and take away anxiety. These are the folks that will also have an empty tank.

4. The safety aspect outweights the "stream line" benefit of not wearing a snorkel.

5. One can swim better with scuba on if one had a snorkel..

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

My rationale for the maintenance of a donned snorkel is:

1. BC malfunction when donning buoyant gear. It will force you to ditch your weight due to the heavy lead you have on.

I've never seen a BC malfunction. Ever. Not once. Even with ratty, old rental gear.

2. Make you a better buddy - when your buddy is in trouble, it helps you to have better visibility at the surface to help him (without using your regulator).

How does a snorkel help with this? Please explain. I've helped my buddy plenty of times, at the surface, without having my reg in my mouth, or a snorkel. I would think, that in a buddy-in-trouble situation, the rescuer would be more in danger of being shoved under and inhaling water through a snorkel.

3. Save lives - especially with anxious beginner, or those who have weak swimming abilities. Enough anxiety already at the surface, add a few foot of waves, and they will panic. A snorkel will remove the need to gasp for air, and take away anxiety. These are the folks that will also have an empty tank.

Generally, such anxiety can be mitigated by approaching the person calmly, having them turn onto their back, and having them just take some long, slow breaths. As a newbie, they are going to blow through their air anyway. A snorkel isn't going to make or break them in this situation.

4. The safety aspect outweights the "stream line" benefit of not wearing a snorkel.

Really? The snorkel, as I see it, is an entanglement hazard. My own experience, on my OW cert. dives, was jumping in and having my snorkel rotate on the mask strap, preventing my mask from sealing and giving me a noseful of saltwater. I couldn't see why my mask wasn't sealing, didn't know my snorkel had rotated, and all I really knew was that I was having a serious problem. My buddy came over and fixed it for me, and after the dive, told me what had happened. Wordlessly, I took my snorkel off and thew it my boat bag.

5. One can swim better with scuba on if one had a snorkel..

Really? Please elaborate on this. I'm interested.

 

[scarefaceDM]

What he asked...me to..Interested..please..explain.

I've never seen a BC malfunction. Ever. Not once. Even with ratty, old rental gear.

Really? Please elaborate on this. I'm interested.

 

[letterboy]

The only time I used a snorkel was in OW and when I was AI'ing. . . .