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Gear: Snorkels

Having a snorkel equippped on your mask allows you to breathe comfortably on the surface of the water. The body naturally rests face down, so the snorkel is a relaxing way to breathe while looking underwater. The snorkel also allows you to keep water out of your mouth without using air from your cylinder.

Shamus' Patented Bootie Fitting Technique

  • You should try a potential new snorkel with your mask. Make sure they feel comfortable together.
  • The mouthpiece should feel comfortable and have enough of a bit tab to have a good grip.
  • Most snorkels come with a way to attach them to a mask, double check that this attachment will not pull at your hair. Look into a neoprene snorkel keeper if you have problems.

Pool time. This is a good time to get that mask back in the water, too.

  • Adjust the snorkel so that it is comfortable in your mouth. If you decide to do a snorkel excursion on one of your surface intervals, you will want to be comfortable.
  • Do some snorkel dives and clear the snorkel when your surface. Make sure you can clear it with minimum effort.
  • Color coordinating snorkels and masks are very common, but keep in mind that neon yellow is very easy to see underwater.

Other things to consider:

  • Snorkels come in purge and non-purge varieties. Purge snorkels help you clear them by allowing water to drain when you reach the surface. Non-purge snorkels must be cleared with a forcelful exhalation of air.
  • Other options include flex and non-flex. Non-flex snorkels are in a standard 'J' position and sit with the mouthpiece hanging just below your mouth. Flex snorkels bend to help keep the mouthpiece out of your way.
  • You can also find dry snorkels (they seal upon submerging so that no water enters them), semi-dry (they help keep water from splashing waves out of the snorkel) or standard bore.
  • Angled bores help break through the water, lessening your water resistance when snorkeling.
  • Some snorkels have replaceable mouthpieces.

Care and feeding:

  • Rinse your snorkel off in clean, fresh water after every dive.
  • Clean your mouthpiece with a disinfectant every few dives.
  • Check your mouthpiece before every dive to ensure that the bite tabs are solid and the mouthpiece is intact.
  • Carry an extra snorkel keeper in your save-a-dive kit.