Is alright for me to ditch my snorkel? It is the most worthless piece of SCUBA gear I own!?

Question

It seems that scuba divers are divided on this issue. On one hand, they say (I can't speak from experience) that it's necessary to have one in order to do a surface swim in rough waters, or to conserve airwhile surface swimming in calm waters.

On the other hand, I've met some instructors who never wear it except when teaching class because they claim that they've never used it, apart from certification dives, not even in the conditions described above.

My person feeling is that I hate the thing; it's uncomfortable, no matter how much I try to adjust it or what type of holder I use to hold to my mask, it whacks me in the head or gets in my way. Plus, the quarries here in the midwest are not exactly rough waters, and if I have to surface swim, I can do it easier by swimming on my back.

So, fellow divers, what's your take on this?

Thanks!

Answer 1

As you get more and more into the sport, you'll actually find that there are pros and cons to having one with you.

For example, most of my dives for fun are wreck penetrations. A snorkel can get you killed, if you're actually wearing it. Some of the spaces you need to wiggle through just don't allow having gear sticking out at all angles and a snorkel smacking something can dislodge it, leaving you in a bad situation in a hurry, not to mention the silt out.

On the flip side, snorkels are VERY handy for a long surface swim to the descent line. It saves on your gas consumption and allows you to swim on your front rather than the old lay back, cran your neck around to see where you are and fin style of getting to where you need to be on the surface. This is especially true if you use a back inflation type of BC. They are forever trying to put you face down.

What you may find useful and it's what I carry, is a folding snorkel. The tube is flexible enough to fold in half and I have many pockets on either my drysuit or on my rig to store it, out of the way unless I need it. I can use it to surface swim to the line, pop it in a pocket and get down and dirty under a triple expansion engine amongst the debris in the room with no worries. Alternatively, a pal of mine uses surgical tubing to secure his to his rig on his chest. The possibilities are endless. Just make sure that it's in a spot that won't interfere with anything else if you go that route. Always think of the unthinkable...'cause it's bound to happen. :)

Answer 2

i don't scuba dive or am an expert in this field in any way, but i am replying to the post above mainly..

the snorkel isn't a safety device. let's say you ran out of air and wanted to use your snorkel- you would have to be floating right on top of the water.... now let's say you didn't have a snorkel... you'd have to be right at the surface of the water.... how does the snorkel help? for safety reasons, it doesn't. all it does is allow you to look under the water without having to bring your mouth up to breath.

Answer 3

I've never been in a car accident, so should I get rid of my seat belts?  Same idea....safety equipment is there for a reason, and hopefully you never need it!

Answer 4

its really up to you but I would keep it if I just want to relax and float around on the surface look at some reefs and fish sometime.

Answer 5

I agree - I hate the thing.  It is good for a long surface swim, or concerns about conditions for an exit.  I carry mine in my gear bag, so I have it if I decide to use it.  Sometimes I tuck it in my vest - which runs a risk of loosing it.  I find the folks I dive with aren't concerned either unless we are doing a long surface swims.  I see folks dive with them all the time and it seems they are getting bonked with it - guess it's a personal choice issue.