Poll: Do you dive with or without a snorkel?

[BrianV]

Title speaks for itself. Feel free to reply with the reason why you do or don't.

 

[BrianV]

I dive with, but for some lake/non-current/non-wave diving I'm thinking of leaving it behind. I notice that about 5-10% of divers (including some instructors) leave their snorkel behind. I find it sometimes annoying, what do you guys think?

 

[coachrenz]

Why in the world would anyone want to have one of those entanglement hazards on their heads?

I can surface swim just fine on my back, and besides, with good navigation skills one doesn't have to surface swim, especially if you pick your sites correctly. And if I did have to surface swim, I would have saved enough air to go ahead and use my reg.

The only use I can see for a snorkle would be to do some nice surface intervals on a shallow warm water reef or when I am with my kids who aren't certified yet.

Tim

 

[RonFrank]

Title speaks for itself. Feel free to reply with the reason why you do or don't.

A snorkel is a tool. If you are in rough water or have to do a long surface swim it's certainly not foolish to have one... but I tend to leave it behind on calm seas or lakes.

 

[BrianV]

Thanks, I feel the same exact way and honestly can't remember the last time I used a snorkel when I was scuba diving. I'll start leaving it behind on easier dives where I know I won't have long surface swims, and maybe one day kill it altogether.

I do find it annoying quite often as it rubs against your face or enters your field of vision.

 

[Jason Ooi]

Agreed!
Entanglement problem, i don't use snorkel in any water condition. but encourage new diver have it save there back gas if don't have it.

 

[BrianV]

Agreed!
Entanglement problem, i don't use snorkel in any water condition. but encourage new diver have it save there back gas if don't have it.

Thanks, nice to hear it's 'ok' from an instructor!

 

[do it easy]

I'm a part timer-

For my own diving, I never wear it. I can usually avoid the surface chop and surface swims by staying under. The only time I wish I had a snorkel is when I was "freediving" or snorkeling.

When I DM, I only wear it when course standards or instructors require it.

 

[Jason Ooi]

new diver a bit nervous, snorkel will help them switching, swim long way back to boat in any water condition.
snorkel advantages for diver but especially experienced diver will say entanglement. HA-ha
make sense!

 

[Warren_L]

Teaching - yes. Rest of the time - no.