Solitude Diver
Contributor
In wreck and tec diving I dont use one (entanglement hazard). However, in water with surface chop I like to have one. Not so much for need, as comfort.
I dive wings, sometimes with double 130s, and I am sometimes as much as 20 lbs over weighted at beginning of dives (18 lbs in just air alone). Inflating the BC enough to lift my head all the way out of the water in chop/waves tends to roll me forward and my face towards the water, as well as making it difficult to breath with the added pressure on chest straps. I prefer to float with mouth just below surface (minimal air in bc) and use snorkel to keep intake a little higher, accommodating for the chop. Much more comfortable for longer waits, and reduces likeliness of potential problems for me.
As far as using the regs for breathing in chop, I dont believe in using my reg on the surface while waiting my turn, or return of the boat. That is reserve air for emergencies (thats why I left it there), which can still happen to me or others even when I am already (theoretically) safe on surface. If I am to help rescue myself or other, I would prefer to have a little air left over in my tank. I am not sure I would like to (have to) make time in an emergency to find my pocket snorkel and dig it out.
I think (especially) new divers are wise to continue to keep one on, and use it (even if just for comfort) at surface. Better to have it and not need it than etc.
Note: I am still chuckling (and shaking head) over the tec snorkels. I am trying to imagine their initial conception and materialization. LOL.
I dive wings, sometimes with double 130s, and I am sometimes as much as 20 lbs over weighted at beginning of dives (18 lbs in just air alone). Inflating the BC enough to lift my head all the way out of the water in chop/waves tends to roll me forward and my face towards the water, as well as making it difficult to breath with the added pressure on chest straps. I prefer to float with mouth just below surface (minimal air in bc) and use snorkel to keep intake a little higher, accommodating for the chop. Much more comfortable for longer waits, and reduces likeliness of potential problems for me.
As far as using the regs for breathing in chop, I dont believe in using my reg on the surface while waiting my turn, or return of the boat. That is reserve air for emergencies (thats why I left it there), which can still happen to me or others even when I am already (theoretically) safe on surface. If I am to help rescue myself or other, I would prefer to have a little air left over in my tank. I am not sure I would like to (have to) make time in an emergency to find my pocket snorkel and dig it out.
I think (especially) new divers are wise to continue to keep one on, and use it (even if just for comfort) at surface. Better to have it and not need it than etc.
Note: I am still chuckling (and shaking head) over the tec snorkels. I am trying to imagine their initial conception and materialization. LOL.
