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So, I'm definitely snorkel-challenged. I can handle the regulator in my mouth and am comfortable with that, but the snorkel just makes me cringe.
Had problems with my snorkel during my O/W cert - kept blocking on me. Not sure if it was faulty or my positioning or what. Instructor solved it by removing the upper valve completely, making it a free flowing snorkel.
My problem is the water in the mouth can initiate a panic in me. When snorkeling on our O/W cert for the navigation exercise, I experienced some issues with water getting into the snorkel. Not filling it, just enough to cause some to get in my mouth, which I just cannot stand.
I realize this is largely an psychological issue, but I have more issues on the surface with breathing than I do underwater.
So, how do you all get comfortable with that feeling of water/air mixture as your breathe? Any tips?
I use a Semidry snorkel such as a flexible Aqua Lung Impulse 3. I got my sister one from LeisurePro. This is a large snorkel. It is very dry, so very little water gets to your mouth. Tusa Platina II is also a good snorkel.
The dry snorkels may close off too often not allowing a person to breath properly.
Practice in a pool with mask and snorkel. In general, you will position the snorkel by looking straight down. Just feel with your hand if it is pointing straight up. Have someone help out initially until you get used to doing it on your own.
My little brother use to practice filling his mask and snorkel in the bathtub then clearing it. Try doing something similar to get use to it.
The 2 snorkels I listed above are the ones I use and really minimize any saltwater from entering my mouth even when freediving the relatively rough Northern California Coast.
I actually do not clear my snorkels with a blast of air. If freediving I spit it out when submerging.
If water splashes overhead, the water drains from the valves or diverters and requires very little effort to clear it.
I've used a couple of totally dry snorkels and didn't like them due to their tendancy to close. But on the other hand, open bore snorkels flood too easily. Although I haven't tried the AL impulse listed above, I've read on multiple reviews that it's very good. I personally have the TUSA Platina Hyperdry II and I love it. Of the several snorkels I've owned, the TUSA is by far my favorite. Here's a review of sorts that I wrote about the TUSA:
I use a completely open snorkel. It stays pretty dry on the surface. I frequently reach up, close the top, and blow out the collected water through the purge valve at the bottom. I almost never get water in my mouth because I blow it out before it fills the bottom curve of the snorkel. When I free dive, I release the snorkel from my mouth after my last inhalation and dive with my mouth closed.
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