Should I wear a snorkel or not

[Jerome O'Neil]

Good for you. Now, would you bet your life (or discomfort) you never would?

Every time I get in the water.

And how much hassle would bringing a snorkel cost you? My roll-up in my right DS thigh pocket costs me exactly zero, but it sure has come in handy a couple times.

Good for you.

But here is how much hassle a snorkel can cause. Get to depth, and see how convenient it is to breath through it.

I will await the results of this scientific inquiry.

 

[Jerome O'Neil]

In marine open water, I think that forgoing a snorkel is plain stupid. Usually, you don't need it. But if you do, it's damned nice to have.

Taking skin diving gear scuba diving is plain stupid. If you need it, put your regulator in your mouth.

 

[BoltSnap]

Taking skin diving gear scuba diving is plain stupid.

So ditch the mask, it is skin diving gear...

I ALWAYS have an Octo on and I have NEVER had to use it in an OOA emergency at all. The only time it gets used is during training simulation or when I practice my skills. I still ALWAYS have it on me when I dive just in case. I actually use the snorkel much more than an octo, practically in every dive on the surface (but not when diving in an overhead environment). I never confuse my BC inflator hose with my snorkel just like I never confuse my mouth for my nose. I know where everything is and how it feels just by feel and without looking. Safety through education not by blaming gear for your own short comings and inadequate training.

 

[lexvil]

Taking skin diving gear scuba diving is plain stupid. If you need it, put your regulator in your mouth.

You’ll notice, a warm water bias toward snorkels, I would hate being in the chop trying to breath through a tube with all of the cold water gear or having that kelp catcher on underwater. Like many things it’s diving the conditions.

 

[fisheater]

Have a snorkel on every dive, but I only wear it when snorkeling/freediving. While on scuba, it's in my left pocket.

 

[Jerome O'Neil]

So ditch the mask, it is skin diving gear...

No it isn't.

I ALWAYS have an Octo on and I have NEVER had to use it in an OOA emergency at all.

If you're underwater, it would be useful to have one, though, yes? I mean, you can stick it in your mouth and breath.

I actually use the snorkel much more than an octo, practically in every dive on the surface and not when diving in an overhead environment.

Not when diving at all, actually. Which is the entire point.

Safety with education not by blaming gear for your own short comings and inadequate training.

Training people to use gear that is entirely useless to them while diving is inadequate training.

 

[gamon]

They don't serve much purpose under water, though.

Snorkels don't serve much purpose underwater? Who knew?

How does one use a snorkel above water?

 

[Jerome O'Neil]

Snorkels don't serve much purpose underwater? Who knew?

Quite a few people were unaware of this, apparently.

How does one use a snorkel above water?

You go skin diving. It is great fun.

 

[dmaziuk]

yes, this one:

 

[Celt]

Like some have said a snorkel is useless underwater so if you don’t plan on surfacing your never going to need one, also if you never dive in bad surface conditions or have an unlimited supply of gas your never going to need one.