An argument for always having a snorkel

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The last 500psi is for getting on the boat.

No its not. its a reserve to be used if needed. That "rule" was designed entirely to prevent idiot divers, most of whom have no concept or training of air planning at all from running out underwater. If its there then use it - you paid for it.

If you rent a tank, you do not want to run it empty. I will cost you alot returning an empty tank.

So leave 5-10 bar in it. Not a problem.

3-5ft seas really are nothing. You can breathe your reg, if not overweighted you can float nice and high away from it with your back to the swell. Ifs its big breaking surf firstly the boat is in a dull place and secondly a plastic tube wont help there either.

 

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I always carry a snorkel cause I do things the "PADI way" and set a good example for others

I instruct for padi but when not teaching set a good example by leaving objects that aren't ever going to be required on a dive at home. So artefacts such as my kitchen sink, a cuddly toy, a lawnmower and of course my snorkel stay at home.

Yet to think of one possible situation where a snorkel would be useful on any sort of dive.

(and i bet by the time i get up in the morning this thread will be 40 pages long).

 

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And if you do not believe in a safety reserve, that is fine if you are okay with that.

So a safety reserve designed to make sure a diver makes it to the surface cant be used once he's on the surface? It would appear you are the one that totally misunderstands the whole point of a reserve air - its to GET you to the surface. Once you are there you no longer need that reserve.

 

[shoturtle]

No its not. its a reserve to be used if needed. That "rule" was designed entirely to prevent idiot divers, most of whom have no concept or training of air planning at all from running out underwater. If its there then use it - you paid for it.


So leave 5-10 bar in it. Not a problem

3-5ft seas really are nothing. You can breathe your reg, if not overweighted you can float nice and high away from it with your back to the swell. Ifs its big breaking surf firstly the boat is in a dull place and secondly a plastic tube wont help there either.

I know the last 500psi is for emergency, but one I am boarding of the back deck, I like to go to my reg just in case something happens.

I was trained to always have a reserve, I have jump from a c130, and my primary shut fail. If it was not for what the army thought about having a reserve, and requiring all solider to jump with a reserve shut. I would be dead. So if people what to have a safety margin, there is nothing wrong with it. I ashore you that the Military Divers are all thought to have a safety margin too.

It seams that people like to push the limits of safety no matter what sport. Remember the guy that invented paraboarding had a shut failure and died by trying to get lighter for more air time, but pushing the safety margin. Me I like to see my grand kids one day.

yeah 3-5 foot sea's are not bad, but I do not like to be always having waves splash into my mouth when I am breathing. Couple of time it has taken a boat about 10 minutes to pick me up in rough seas.

 

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So get your weight right and float high. Adequate buoyancy, back to the wind or swell will see you far more comfortable than a snorkel.

10 minutes really isnt a long time either. 15-20 isnt uncommon here if everyone surfaces at once and the boat is moving around picking up everyone else first.

 

[shoturtle]

So get your weight right and float high. Adequate buoyancy, back to the wind or swell will see you far more comfortable than a snorkel.

10 minutes really isnt a long time either. 15-20 isnt uncommon here if everyone surfaces at once and the boat is moving around picking up everyone else first.

I have my weights right.

When a wave crash on you, it goes pretty much where it wants. And snorkel, makes breathing easier while waiting. I am not tell you you should dive with a snorkel. I say dive the way you want if you are comfortable with it.

Like I said, I just do not like having salt water splashing into my mouth when breathing and a snorkel helps alot.

 

[shoturtle]

So a safety reserve designed to make sure a diver makes it to the surface cant be used once he's on the surface? It would appear you are the one that totally misunderstands the whole point of a reserve air - its to GET you to the surface. Once you are there you no longer need that reserve.

By the time my safety stops end, I have a little more then 500psi. And when I am on the surface I am normally just shy of 500psi. And thing could happen that you may need that 500psi on the surface also.

And if I am in choppy seas, and remain on the reg, it would not last that long. So I prefer to be on a snorkel while waiting.

I think I am sounding like a broken record. If someone feels better diving with a reserve, or with or without a snorkel. I think that you their decision, there is no right or wrong. As long as you are comfortable with it.

Why do some PRO DIVER'S think that pushing a tank to it's bitter end is the COOL thing to do. I know alot of elite divers, an they do dive with a reserve margin when they surface.

 

[jiml]

Personally, I find swimming on my back to be slow and tiring. My weighting is fine. I also see back-swimmers getting their tank valves tangled in kelp around here. It's a shame indeed that most basic OW certification classes don't spend time on snorkeling and freediving anymore, otherwise people wouldn't seem to be having such difficulty with them.

 

[diver 85]

yep, some will never learn.........

 

[shoturtle]

Personally, I find swimming on my back to be slow and tiring. My weighting is fine. I also see back-swimmers getting their tank valves tangled in kelp around here. It's a shame indeed that most basic OW certification classes don't spend time on snorkeling and freediving anymore, otherwise people wouldn't seem to be having such difficulty with them.

I think you are right on this point. Proper training is key. I do not notice my snorkel under water, and I have no problem with my snorkel when I use it on the surface.

I think allot of group class is about how many they can get through in a class. I went the private lesson path instead, my instructor was a ESU rescue diver. We spent time on everything, and had time for extra stuff too. I was require to do the free dive with snorkel, even though it is optionals with padi, but not for him.