Do you carry a snorkel on every dive?

[TSandM]

I think I need to pick a really choppy day and go swimming with a mask and snorkel, and play with stuff. The problem is that we so rarely have really choppy days in the Sound, and going swimming in a drysuit isn't much fun.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I carry mine in a pocket on my thigh or it's in the bag. When teaching it is always with me. But once underwater it gets stowed.

 

[SandyRobinson]

In a spring/cavern/cave - no
On a reef - yes, attached to my mask
In a wreck - yes, stuck in a strap on my deco tank

 

[rongoodman]

I throw one in the duffel for every warm water trip, but I've never used it outside of a PADI class.

 

[k ellis]

I answered no for the reason I dont wear it on EVERY dive. I wear it when there is waves or current as it makes life a WHOLE lot easier when the waves are large enough to go over your head. If I am shore diving in a lake where current does not exist and neither do waves then I dont bring it as its more of a crutch at that point. I prefer to roll over and swim to shore on my back as this is a very relaxing way to enjoy the journey back. Plus burn off some nitrogen in a surface interval

 

[sydney-diver]

I wear mine on every dive, attached to my mask. When I was inexperianced I used it frequently and am used to swimming with it in large waves but I hardly ever use it now and I find it tends to get caught up with my inflator so am considering ditching it.

 

[fnfalman]

I look at the surface and then make up my mind on whether or not I'm going to take a snorkel. If it's like glass then a snorkel will get in the way. If it has a couple feet worth of chop, then I'd take the snorkel with me. Yes, yes, I know that things can change in the 40-minutes to 1-hrs that I was underwater, but it's a calculated guess that I will chance. Let me repeat that: it's a calculated guess that I am willing to take. YMMV.

 

[vlkr]

i used to carry one all the time but now i am old (67) and heavy (250, but still at 17% fat ). consequently i have gas issues so i ditched to snorkle to be more hydro dynamic.

 

[DennisS]

I've been wearing mine on the right side of my mask for years, I'd feel naked without it. I don't snorkel when I have gear on, I use it swimming out on my back during beach dives, if there is a chop. On boat dives some people say just keep your regulator in your mouth. Thats a good way to do it, if you have air. I consider the snorkel survival gear if I drift away or the boat takes off to do a medevac.

 

[drbill]

I occasionally carry a snorkel... when I find yet another one here in the dive park. I have quite a collection now. I don't carry a personal one when I dive because they get in the way when I'm filming and I prefer surface swims on my back. However, there have been a few times when a snorkel would have been nice, but not necessary.