The snorkel problem

[Johanan]

I bought one of these. It came with a C-formed plastic case where to stow the rolled snorkel. Don't know why the case is not shown in the picture on DRIS website. When I bought it last month it was there. I clip it off behind my back and can easely pull out the snorkel if needed. I have yet to find a good solution how to clip the snorkel on the mask strap if deployed. I've seen that some divers put the whole snorkel under the mask strap. I guess, it would make my mask leak.

 

[Akimbo]

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

True, but a snorkel is cheaper and easier to maintain. It is also a lot easier to learn to use a snorkel than a boat.

 

[TSandM]

I'm not a snorkel person, but I've seen where Eric is talking about. Some of the bays are very shallow and have a lot of inshore kelp. You COULD swim out underwater, but you'd do it in miserable viz and you'd swim a long way before you got to anything worth seeing. His preference for swimming out with his tank out of the water and his face in it is understandable to me, and his fondness for snorkels goes along with his use of vintage gear, too

I do think there are situations where snorkels are useful. We were surface swimming off Maui, on our backs as we always do, and had a contemptuous swimmer kick by and inform us that we were oblivious to the presence of two large turtles right below us . . .

I've never understood the desire for them in rough water, though, and I certainly agree that there is no time when you need emergent snorkel deployment, so the rolled up one in my pocket does me quite well.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I wouldn't say I have a particular fondness for snorkels, to me their just a handy piece of gear that happen to work well in my local spots diving from shore. I'm used to them so having one on my mask I don't even notice it.
I never use one kayak or boat diving and if the beach is clear of kelp I will sometimes leave it behind. But on a good vis day I find it a bonus to sightsee on my surface swim out.

I'm not a snorkel person, but I've seen where Eric is talking about. Some of the bays are very shallow and have a lot of inshore kelp. You COULD swim out underwater, but you'd do it in miserable viz and you'd swim a long way before you got to anything worth seeing. His preference for swimming out with his tank out of the water and his face in it is understandable to me, and his fondness for snorkels goes along with his use of vintage gear, too

I do think there are situations where snorkels are useful. We were surface swimming off Maui, on our backs as we always do, and had a contemptuous swimmer kick by and inform us that we were oblivious to the presence of two large turtles right below us . . .

I've never understood the desire for them in rough water, though, and I certainly agree that there is no time when you need emergent snorkel deployment, so the rolled up one in my pocket does me quite well.

 

[chillyinCanada]

To those of you with the rolled up snorkel, how often have you used it and how did it perform its function?

 

[Akimbo]

I wonder how many scuba divers that are overtly anti-snorkel are also accomplished and active freedivers? It sounds really dumb to discuss learning to use a snorkel; in fact it is hard to define the skill exactly. Perhaps being comfortable with a snorkel is more accurate?

It is also hard for me to understand such distain for one of the oldest pieces of gear for untethered divers. We can’t blame Mike Nelson of Sea Hunt since most of the divers who hate snorkels never saw the show.

 

[mathauck0814]

I wonder how many scuba divers that are overtly anti-snorkel are also accomplished and active freedivers? It sounds really dumb to discuss learning to use a snorkel; in fact it is hard to define the skill exactly. Perhaps being comfortable with a snorkel is more accurate?

It is also hard for me to understand such distain for one of the oldest pieces of gear for untethered divers. We can’t blame Mike Nelson of Sea Hunt since most of the divers who hate snorkels never saw the show.

We spearfish on breath hold frequently (and as I said, "Snorkels are great gear for snorkeling"). I've no disdain for the snorkel itself, it just seems wholly unnecessary as a piece of diving equipment to me.

 

[TSandM]

Honestly, I have never deployed my rolled up snorkel. I carry it because PADI rules say I have to have a snorkel when DMing.

In eight years and over a thousand dives, the only time I've wished I had a snorkel on my mask was the day I was sitting on the boat on the way back to the ship in the Red Sea, with my gear off, when the boat went into a pod of about thirty or so dolphins. We all got in the water, but I had to keep lifting my head to breathe.

 

[AfterDark]

I wonder how many scuba divers that are overtly anti-snorkel are also accomplished and active freedivers? It sounds really dumb to discuss learning to use a snorkel; in fact it is hard to define the skill exactly. Perhaps being comfortable with a snorkel is more accurate?

It is also hard for me to understand such distain for one of the oldest pieces of gear for untethered divers. We can’t blame Mike Nelson of Sea Hunt since most of the divers who hate snorkels never saw the show.

I've seen every episode of Sea Hunt. Never saw a snorkel on any of the divers. There was a couple of episodes where Mike Nelson was teaching diving and started out snorkeling but, once they switched to scuba no snorkels could be seen.

It's just another piece of gear. I carry a signal mirror never used it >2000 dives should I leave it home from now on? I used my lift bag only once during training should I leave that also? I dove >30 years without a PDC I haven't used it on my last 3 dives because the battery died. Maybe that's not much use either?

There is one piece of gear I'd like to leave home, that f'n dive flag and float! FTF! That gets in the way as much as or more than a slung bottle!

 

[redacted]

I use a snorkel often but only when snorkeling. I have not had to deal with surface obstructions so surface swims are done on my back. I like to have access to a snorkel when far off-shore. I do believe I could even take a nap when aided by a snorkel. Tucked between my plate and wing, it is secure, readily accessible, and no problem to carry. It is so easy, that I often just leave it there even when I know I don't need it. I have deployed it a number of times. Once deployed, it is difficult to restore until the dive is over without help.