snorkling

[scuba steve irl]

i have read recently that in most diver incidents there was a common link between those that dont have a snorkel back ground .


those that didnt have the background had a higher rate of incidents than those without

[Midnight]

Steve,
You are mixing up snorkelling and fin-swimming.

Snorkelling is what the old spear fisher used to do to stalk and keep and eye on their quarry.

Fin swimming is what CFT clubs insist you do a number of before they let you near scuba equipment.

TBH although useful there are far more important qualities in a diver than high levels of fitness, such as a full understanding of their equipment, the physiology of a diver and the ability to remain CALM in all environments.

Some of the best divers I have met would not be able to compete in track & field but I would not hesitate to accompany them on any dive.

Safe diving,
Midnight

[A. Berk]

I think I know where Steve is coming from... and I think I agree that competance and fitness for breath-hold diving with or without a snorkel can only add to competance and safety in all other forms of diving. Knowing that you can - if all turns to custard - swim around for 1.5 minutes increases confidence for sure. I have snorkel'd since the age of 8 and still do now as a professional diver - love it!

Berko

[David P]

I can't comment fairly, I've snorkelled/freedived for 35 years, and taken some of my favourite pics in shallow water on just breathhold dives. I enjoy being in the sea; and although I love scuba diving it's often too restrictive (booking, weather, people, boats, buddies, kit, weight, maintenance etc etc). Snorkelling is diving at its most basic - minimal kit. I'm very happy diving to 10-12m for a minute or so in the UK; in the Caribbean I've happily dived to 16-20m to shoot video. But I'm very cautious and very conscious of my limits (yes, Nigel, no records here!). Overall, it's complementary to scuba diving - and yes, it means I'm always pretty water-fit.

[Paul Oliver]

During School Holidays i take my kids snorkeling at our pool night and when we are abroad we do the same. Its great for in water confidence for them

I doubt i would ever snorkel other than for these 2 reasons

[Garf]

Originally Posted by scuba steve irl

i have read recently that in most diver incidents there was a common link between those that dont have a snorkel back ground .


those that didnt have the background had a higher rate of incidents than those without

Hi

Can you point us in the direction of this research please

[Arfie]

I don't like snorkelling, never have done. If I had been forced to practice snorkelling over and over before being allowed near scuba gear, I'd never have learnt to dive.

I do take the snorkel on holiday, so if I feel like it I can jump in and look at the fish and corals etc. Though last time I went it never came out of my room.

Arfie

[Sipadan]

yeah, if someone told me that i had to snorkel for months before getting on to scuba, it would be a very short relationship.

[A. Berk]

There are 'legit' reasons for carrying a snorkel on certain dives, imagine the awfull situation of being left behind by the boat (as has happened on occasion) when you may want to drop weights and slip the bottle out of your BCD as the weather worsens and you're getting tw@tted around - stick that wee plastic pipe in your gob and you are almost bulletproof.

Berko

[scuba steve irl]

Originally Posted by Garf

Hi

Can you point us in the direction of this research please

it was a listing of a major dive org in the UK .