A snorkel is nothing more than a tube that allows a diver to breathe at the surface without having to raise their head out of the water. This gives divers the same advantage that dolphins and whales have, the ability to keep their head in the water for extended periods of time while still breathing.
As scuba divers, we want to be underwater, not on the surface. But we must spend some time on the surface. This is where a diver needs their snorkel. While a diver is on the surface waiting to start their descent, they can save the air in their tank by breathing with their snorkel. When diving from the beach, a diver can save the air in their tank by swimming on the surface to where they plan to descend using their snorkel.
I can still remember my 1st open water dive. During the pre-dive briefing, the instructor told us to keep something in our mouths while we waited for him to tell us to descend. There was one student that did not heed his warning. The next thing we know, this person is coughing and spitting and flailing their arms like they where swatting flies. Yes, you guessed it. Without something in their mouth, they took a big drink of Open Ocean.
Is there a lesson here? Yes there is. Never be in the water without your snorkel or regulator in your mouth. This will allow you to breathe in unexpected situations while on the surface. This is one reason all major certifying agencies require snorkel skills to be taught in basic open water training.
Choosing The Right One
There are many types of snorkels. They vary from a simple "J" shaped, hard plastic tube to more complex styles. A good one should be easy to breathe through, and should not be too long, (ideally no more than 17 inches or 43 cm) and easy to clear. They come with a variety of features, including:
Flexible barrels
Rotating mouthpieces which allows the mouthpieces to move with you
Splash guards to prevent water from splashing down into barrel
Purge valves which direct water down and out
When choosing the right one, look for a good fit and features that suit your diving needs. Attach it to the left-hand side of your mask, leaving the right-hand side free for your regulator hose. Always rinse it after use and store it out of direct sunlight.
A snorkel is nothing more than a tube that allows a diver to breathe at the surface without having to raise their head out of the water. This gives divers the same advantage that dolphins and whales have, the ability to keep their head in the water for extended periods of time while still breathing.
