For a recent course I took, the instructor wanted me to have a snorkel. I do not normally carry one. I purchased a simple, roll up snorkel:
XS Scuba SN650 Cargo
And an XS removable pocket, WB101QA:
XS Scuba Pocket Weight Belts
I placed the pocket WB101QA on the lower section of my left shoulder harness tucked up by the plate. All was satisfied. Once the course was completed, I removed it and the snorkel and tossed it into my dive bag possibly never to be seen again.
I free dive some, do not use a snorkel there either but if I do I like the Omer Zoom:
OMER USA - Freediving and Spearfishing Equipment - Products
A snorkel is useful for beach/shore diving with a double hose regulator without a BC or if using a horse collar type BC, easier to swim face down. With a single hose regulator and a wing/BP, I much prefer swimming on my back regardless of the distance, easier to navigate and easier to see boat traffic. Why double hose vs. single hose matters, a double hose regulator will free flow if swimming on the back unless the air is cut off or the regulator mouthpiece is plugged. I usually just turn the air off. My new Krakens came with cool mouthpiece plugs, I had used an earlier version with my PRAM but still for a long surface swim, I just shut the valve off, swim on my back with the wing partially inflated, GPS on my tummy, dive float/flag in tow. I understand there may someday be a shutoff valve mouthpiece, I will get one of those for long surface swims.
Oh, this has come up before, about the GPS, no, I do not take it down with me, I tie/clip it off to my surface float. Somebody told me there GPS flooded and blah, blah, yeah, if you take it down with you it will. Hey, iPhones have waterproof cases now, you can navigate and watch cool youtube videos about how to make a twin tube snorkel while swimming out. You guys got to get with the 21st Century one of these days.
N