snorkel yes, snorkel no

[ben_wilson3301]

What we have learned how to do is deal with the conditions we encounter. I've done over 2,000 dives here now in all sorts of conditions and never ... not once ... wished I had a snorkel.

Most will never NEED a snorkel. I carry one for two reasons. One, I am the first out of the boat and can snorkel without using my air until everyone finally gets off the bleepin boat. And two, for emergencies. What would you do if you were taken by a rip current, drift, or other current, out to sea, only to surface and find the boat is gone and you have to swim it? On your back you can't use your compass, with a snorkel you can use underwater navigation and make your way back to land.

I realize this scenario is ridiculous, but my point is you never know when you may NEED it and in those situations you'd be best to be prepared.

____________
Ben

 

[Chugwhump]

Oh man.....I should really let this pass....but I cannot.

I like der Schnorkles.

My regular diving modi operandorum is:
Warm water.
Long surface swims.
I swim on my back and side and belly.
I like to look down a lot.
I find a lot of solo bugs, pirate treasure, spearguns, bales of sunken pot, cash, trash, and golf balls that way.
Whatever works for you, works for me.
I do consider it mandatory on shore dives where I live.
Some of my regular dive pals do not.

I really like to wear one when cavern diving also.
I like the sounds of the screaming from all the real divers in caverns when they see me.
The echos are so cool to listen to.

I think at some point we need to have a serious discussion about the snorkle simulator.......
But that is for another time.

Chug
Likes der Schnorkles.

 

[DandyDon]

These guys found a use for snorkels at one of our more interesting local sites ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Looks like fun! :lol: I remember seeing my big dive boat in one of those whirls as I waited for chase.

​

I've been over the bridge there a couple of times, noticing the tidal rapids flowing thru and the one-way boat traffic. Very impressive to a high desert boy. It's north of Seattle for those who haven't been to lovely Oak Island and the San Juans yet. I've been up there twice - just to see them once, and specifically to dive them another time. They were surprised to see a Texan suit up there, but it was great - well worth both trips.

​

 

[elmer fudd]

There's not much point in using one where I live. Generally, you've only got about 10' of visibility, maybe 30' on a good site and a spectacular day. Other times you've only got 3' or so and you can't see much more than an arms length away.

If I were living somewhere where looking down was worthwhile, then I might change my mind.

Safetywise, I just don't get it. If I'm on the surface it's easier to breathe without a tube in my mouth. When I've got my BC and drysuit inflated I'm well above the water line and if there's a a serious issue I can always dump my weights too and then I'll be more buoyant than a Zodiac.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Point taken. I wouldn't bother with a snorkel in your area (unless spearfishing). But if you ever make it down to the Caribbean or other clear water areas, you might find looking down from the surface quite interesting, and a snorkel a more worthy companion.

Rick

Oh, I take a snorkel on EVERY Caribbean trip ... and I use it too ... during surface intervals ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Thanks for posting that Bob!

And a new specialty card is born.... river log riding!! Snorkel mandatory.....

Best wishes.

That ain't a river ... it just looks like one.

Deception Pass runs between Whidbey Island and the mainland ... it's one of the entrances between the Straits of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound.

... and it RIPS! On big tides, even boats won't go in there ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Most will never NEED a snorkel. I carry one for two reasons. One, I am the first out of the boat and can snorkel without using my air until everyone finally gets off the bleepin boat. And two, for emergencies. What would you do if you were taken by a rip current, drift, or other current, out to sea, only to surface and find the boat is gone and you have to swim it? On your back you can't use your compass, with a snorkel you can use underwater navigation and make your way back to land.

I realize this scenario is ridiculous, but my point is you never know when you may NEED it and in those situations you'd be best to be prepared.

____________
Ben

It's not ridiculous, Ben ... but it's also a matter of comfort, experience, and perspective. Long surface swims are a fact of life where I dive ... the majority of our diving is from shore, and the surface swims can be as long as someone wants to make them. Strong currents are very common here ... we learn to deal with them, both on shore and boat dives. You can certainly navigate while swimming on your back ... even with a compass. People here do it all the time.

I am not trying to discourage anyone from using a snorkel ... I encourage it, in fact, for those who feel more comfortable using them. But I don't buy the "safety equipment" argument. Perhaps in different conditions than I've been exposed to it would be. But in my experience, a snorkel is a personal choice, and more a matter of convenience than safety. There is nothing you can do with a snorkel that I can't do just as safely without one. If, for any reason, I find that I need to swim face-down, I will use my regulator. I always reserve adequate gas to be able to do so for an awfully long period of time if I should need to ... and if I had to swim longer than my gas reserves would last, then I've got far larger problems that a snorkel isn't going to resolve.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I really like to wear one when cavern diving also.
I like the sounds of the screaming from all the real divers in caverns when they see me.
The echos are so cool to listen to.

Now THERE'S a person who knows how to have a good time ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[fnfalman]

What would you do if you were taken by a rip current, drift, or other current, out to sea, only to surface and find the boat is gone and you have to swim it? On your back you can't use your compass, with a snorkel you can use underwater navigation and make your way back to land.

I realize this scenario is ridiculous, but my point is you never know when you may NEED it and in those situations you'd be best to be prepared.

____________
Ben

I'd take my BC off, lay myself on top of the BC and swim towards shore.

I can see where I'm going just fine and I'll be well clear off the surface.

 

[ShakaZulu]

Only one reason to have a snorkel nearby....