The Problems With Snorkels
The simple fact is, snorkels cause problems. A lot of them. We tend to ignore these problems because snorkels have so long been considered a “standard” piece of dive gear.
To start with, having a snorkel attached to your mask is just plain distracting. It always seems to be tugging and pulling on things at the worst possible moments. Snorkels get caught in hair and interfere with the proper fit of masks.
Simply stated, they can be a royal pain in the butt.
But, wait! There’s more…
Drag: You’ve no doubt noticed that, over the years, there has been a trend toward bigger, bulkier snorkels. These not only increase a diver’s overall drag coefficient, they compound matters by pulling on one side of the head.
Have you ever made a dive in the Gulf Stream, off Florida’s Gold Coast? You may find yourself making a safety stop while hanging on to an ascent line in up to a knot or more of current. Under these conditions, the last thing you want is to have a big, bulky snorkel tugging on one side of your face, trying to rip your mask off.
Entanglement: When students sign up for Cavern Diver training, the very first thing we have them do is get rid of their snorkels. Snorkels create a greater potential for guideline entanglement than nearly any other piece of equipment. In fact, anywhere there is the presence of fishing line or any other potential source of entanglement, a snorkel is most likely something you do not want to have.
Fit With Hoods: When you place a snorkel on a mask strap, you limit yourself to wearing the mask strap on the outside of your wetsuit or drysuit hood. This leads to problems with the mask skirt getting caught on the edge of the hood, causing leaks. If you leave the snorkel behind, on the other hand, you can wear the mask strap on the inside of the hood, thereby eliminating one more cause of leaks. (This also substantially reduces the risk of accidental mask loss.)
Confusion: How many times have you seen a diver mistake a snorkel for his BC’s large-diameter inflation/deflation hose? It happens frequently. Unfortunately, by the time a diver locates the right hose, he may be ascending or descending out of control.
With all of the problems that snorkels cause, it’s no wonder you almost never see a resort divemaster or instructor wearing one. Think about it: These are among the world’s most knowledgeable and experienced divers. If they elect to go without snorkels, there has to be a good reason.
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