The snorkel problem

[Doc Harry]

My snorkel will ALWAYS be where I can find it - in a long-term storage box somewhere in my garage.

Seriously, the only time I've ever needed (or used) a snorkel in 10 years has been during my PADI OW class.

I've been diving in Florida, Great Lakes, the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Thailand, Australia, Korea, and Central America. Never had any need or use for a snorkel.

 

[redacted]

My snorkel will ALWAYS be where I can find it - in a long-term storage box somewhere in my garage.

Seriously, the only time I've ever needed (or used) a snorkel in 10 years has been during my PADI OW class.

I've been diving in Florida, Great Lakes, the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Thailand, Australia, Korea, and Central America. Never had any need or use for a snorkel.

I'd bet you, and the overwhelming majority of divers, can say the same thing about the utility of an EPIRB.

 

[RJP]

I see no reason to have it anywhere other then attached to a mask so it is always available for immediate use when needed.

Ever been inside a wreck or a cave?

Even on a recreational dive, I'm struggling to envision any situation where a diver would have an "immediate need" for a snorkel at depth.

 

[Doc Harry]

I'd bet you, and the overwhelming majority of divers, can say the same thing about the utility of an EPIRB.

I think an EPIRB has some utility. I carry a EPIRB when I'm diving in remote areas with bad weather, cold water and strong currents. I also carry a SMB that I can shoot from depth.

I also carried a EPIRB with me when I went on a rock-climbing trip in the Middle East last year. No telling when you might need the U.S. Marines!

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

My snorkel will ALWAYS be where I can find it - in a long-term storage box somewhere in my garage.

Seriously, the only time I've ever needed (or used) a snorkel in 10 years has been during my PADI OW class.

I've been diving in Florida, Great Lakes, the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Thailand, Australia, Korea, and Central America. Never had any need or use for a snorkel.

Have you ever had to surface swim and navigate your way through a thick kelp forest in California?
Most of the time we try and go underneath it, but sometimes that isn't always an option and a snorkel is damn nice to have.

 

[mathauck0814]

Have you ever had to surface swim and navigate your way through a thick kelp forest in California?
Most of the time we try and go underneath it, but sometimes that isn't always an option and a snorkel is damn nice to have.

People keep using this as a valid scenario - I dive in kelp two or three days a week and I've honestly never needed a snorkel. Why are you surfacing away from your exit and surface swimming through kelp anyway? Perhaps we're solving a skill problem with a piece of unnecessary equipment?

 

[ronscuba]

My snorkel will ALWAYS be where I can find it - in a long-term storage box somewhere in my garage.

Seriously, the only time I've ever needed (or used) a snorkel in 10 years has been during my PADI OW class.

I've been diving in Florida, Great Lakes, the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Thailand, Australia, Korea, and Central America. Never had any need or use for a snorkel.

A snorkel definitely helps on shore dives with surface swims. Saves air on swim outs.

I've also been on the surface with high swells waiting for a boat pickup. Used my snorkel. If I ever got stranded out at sea, I want a snorkel.

 

[Akimbo]

... Why are you surfacing away from your exit and surface swimming through kelp anyway? …

Uhh, because the conditions near shore suck compared to deeper water and you don’t want to waste bottom time on 2' of visibility?

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

People keep using this as a valid scenario

Because it is a valid scenario.

I dive in kelp two or three days a week and I've honestly never needed a snorkel.

Maybe San Diego kelp and conditions are a bit more benign than the North Coast (North of San Francisco).

Why are you surfacing away from your exit and surface swimming through kelp anyway? Perhaps we're solving a skill problem with a piece of unnecessary equipment?

Because many of our shore sites are too shallow too far out and surgy with big rocks, so trying to stay under all the way back to shore isn't the best option. Surface swimming out and back makes more sense, and snorkelling out on your stomach and seeing where you're going makes the most sense, at least with OC. I have a finite supply of air on my back and I'd rather not use it trying to stay under for the last few hundered yards in 8' -10' water. The kelp gets super thick, especially this time of year, and it's a battle to get through. Maybe rebreathers divers are different, I don't know never used one myself and never dove with someone using one..

The skill problem comment, sorry I don't respond to condescending remarks.

 

[mathauck0814]

Uhh, because the conditions near shore suck compared to deeper water and you don’t want to waste bottom time on 2' of visibility?

Seems like the proper piece of equipment is a boat then, not a snorkel.