Snorkel or not?

[CPTOZZY]

Do you wear a snorkel when you dive ?

Always? Sometimes? Never?

Why or Why not?

I used to, but I found that it caused mask leakage underwater so I stopped. I have one of those fold up snorkels I keep in my BC, but I've never used it.

[chinacat46]

Sometimes. Why? Cause PADI requires me to when instructing.

[FishFood]

Yes.

When doing surf entry or boat w/ choppy surface.

No.

When quarry/springs (unless snorkeling the spring basin/creek)

[Ryanh1801]

Nope, I hate the damn thing. If I ever go to the ocean, ill go grab a fold up.

[comet24]

Snorkel what's a snorkel. Hadn't used one in many moons until I became a DM. Now only when required.

[elijahb]

Yeah I wear a snorkel. a good snorkel is one that you only notice when you need it so with that mentality every diver should carry one. They are great if you are shore diving and run low on air but still want to see the reef.

[skippy11]

I don't like wearing a snorkel, but we are doing our AOW this weekend....so, its required. Other than training, I don't wear it.

[Splitlip]

No, No, a thousand times no.

IMO if you feel you may need a snorkel, carry a folder. Do not wear one. They break the seal of a mask on back rolls or in a swift current, can be confused with a reg or inflator hose and are a potenial entanglement even in open water.
Not just anecdotal.

[wolfen42]

Originally Posted by Splitlip

No, No, a thousand times no.

IMO if you feel you may need a snorkel, carry a folder. Do not wear one. They break the seal of a mask on back rolls or in a swift current, can be confused with a reg or inflator hose and are a potenial entanglement even in open water.
Not just anecdotal.

Thanks for the tips... we'll be figuring out an alternate way to have a snorkel around for if we want it.

[hoobascooba]

Originally Posted by skippy11

I don't like wearing a snorkel, but we are doing our AOW this weekend....so, its required. Other than training, I don't wear it.

what do you mean it's required for AOW training?

I just finished my AOW this past weekend, and I was not "required" to wear or even have my snorkel.

I agree with everyone else. I hate the damn thing too... just gets in my view too much, breaks the seal on mask, and quite frankly, it's practically useless to me. If i'm swimming on the surface, for one thing I inflate my BC - so I'm not gonna drown. Secondly - if I still wanna see the reef, I know how to hold my breath.