50 replies to this topic

[Racer184]

Excellent discussion about snorkel non-use.
I may consider to stop attaching that annoying thing to my mask strap now.

[zesach]

Mine broke just before my fifth dive (my first dive after being certified) - the best thing that ever happened! I've never seen a need for it - and like others, when I've had to hang around the surface, it's either on my back or with my reserve...

[Scubatooth]

The only reason i still have one is because IM a DM and required to have it when working with students. Beyond that the only thing i can see it used for is a OG tube or as a 14.5 ET tube as soon as i rip the vent fins off.

In my personal diving its in the bag as i dont need it, in fact my snorkel spent a year at the bottom of a lake before i found it the following year looking for someones wallet under the boat dock.

Tooth

[rkymtwy]

I don't use my snorkel, but I do keep a foldable one in my BC pocket just in case.....l

[secretsea18]

How about surfacing after a dive like I did in the Galapagos to find a humpback with calf being escorted by a pod of dolphins and buzzed by sealions, those of us packing snorkels got to spend some time with them, those without got to watch the video.

Yes, very cool to surface to that sort of action. However while a snorkel makes it easier to look at the lovely whales, dolphins etc going on beneath you, AND breathe, it is by no means necessary for participation in this activity. Just makes it easier and more comfortable.

For what it's worth, I carry my TUSA snorkel in my pocket. It is taken apart, and so I can put it together if I want to use it. If I were to surface into whales, dolphins, etc, with AIR still in my tank.... I would be back on scuba till there was no air and then be on the surface either with the snorkel or without. Perhaps you had boarded the panga and taken off the tank.

How dumb for the folks to stay on the boat when there were dolphins and whales in the water....
I would have been overboard in a heartbeat, long before I could get the snorkel free from my pocket.

[secretsea18]

Changing the point some. Is there much benefit to the wide neoprene head bands for the mask, again I am thinking it may help with strap twist when replacing the mask. I keep my hair short, so there is no benefit there.

The neoprene mask strap ..... an ESSENTIAL part of my mask

The best ones are the kind that has a separate strap to thread into the mask, not the ones that slide over the rubber strap. I have two of them, for my main mask and backup mask. The kind that goes over the rubber strap is a total PITA as the rubber thing keeps twisting. But the one with the straps to thread through ... heaven.