Wearing snorkels

[mm2002]

Probably a stupid question, and one we're too embarrassed to ask our LDS , but on our last couple of dives we left the snorkels at home. They are a pain in the butt, and always in the way. So the question is, do you have to wear them? I can understand circumstances where they are needed, but we're talking average 30 ft shore dives here. We both hate having those things dangling around and getting in the way, but we also understand we may be sacrificing safety by leaving them behind. What about the fold-up ones you can put in the BC pocket? Every time I go for the BC inflater, the damn snorkel is in the way. Advice, opinions?

[tremtech]

The best advice is to dive what you are comfortable with. Personaly my snorkle stay's in the bag unless I am just snorkeling for lobster or scallops, I hate it , and I dive 20 or 30 miles off shore in the Gulf and have never regreted leaving it on the boat.

[FishFood]

Youll never regret having it untill you need it, unfourtunalty. Dont get too comfortable not having it. Anytime theres any kind of surf (virtually any shore dive) or swells i have mine.

A folkd up snorkel is an excellent compromise between safety and comfort.

[tremtech]

Notice my photo ,snorkel is in the bag. some times i use it to scare my dog (he hates it)

[chace_nicole]

I use a fold away. I like it because its out of the way but I still have it incase I were to ever need it at the surface say if I was OOA...hopefully that never happens. Only negative is it is harder to clear than the regular ones but hopefully I'll never need it.

[jwdizney]

Originally Posted by FishFood

Youll never regret having it untill you need it, unfourtunalty. Dont get too comfortable not having it. Anytime theres any kind of surf (virtually any shore dive) or swells i have mine.

A folkd up snorkel is an excellent compromise between safety and comfort.

I agree with FishFood. there's a lot of redundancy for safety in diving (and i'm all about safety!). if you're uncomfortable with the snorkel (who isn't?).. then a fold up in your BC pocket might be the answer. maybe even a regular snorkel bungeed to your harness.

IMO, blow an o-ring on you tank in choppy waters and you'll appreciate a breathing tube, even on a shore dive...

[awap]

I look upon a snorkel as a piece of safety equipment for offshore diving. Mine is stored between my back plate and my wing.

[danielh03]

I despise wearing one, but IF I expect rough conditions (rare in a quarry!) I will suffer and wear mine.

[nathanbarlow]

"blow an o-ring on you tank"

solution for that - use DIN not yoke!!

[redneckdiver52]

I feel as a more senior diver I have a responsibility to set the example for junior divers. I wear mine all the time. Yes it is a pain sometimes, but those junior divers follow your example. Better to show good practices.