Basic Skin Diving Question

[Willieboy]

I watched many Youtube videos by Freedive Youbuur. In one of these videos he says the diver should not dive with the snorkel in his mouth. Why is this. While surfacing, I would want the snorkel in my mouth so I can clear it on the way up and immediately breathe through upon surfacing.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Pinniped72]

If you black out under water your jaws may lock and the snorkel will be a pipe running sea water straight to your stomach and maybe lungs, which is obviously what we want to avoid! Also if you black out or have a seizure or whatever, it may be essential to have mouth to mouth, the snorkel may get in the way whilst trying to open your mouth. Also clearing a snorkel after a dive in which your oxygen is depleted is a bad idea, you may be forcing the last bit of oxygen that is keeping you conscious out through the snorkel and then lights out! There are countless threads on here detailing how to breath for a safe recovery. Anyway hope that helps and dive safe

 

[Willieboy]

Makes sense. Thanks.

 

[deanspahic]

In terms of the above answer, it all makes a lot of sense and this is what is taught in most freediving programs. The chances of a blackout for most snorkelers and shallow water freedivers is quite small unless the diver is pushing things beyond their limits. The two most practical reasons for no snorkel in the mouth during a dive is first the safety factor as mentioned above. The other factor is comfort and hydro dynamics. Having a snorkel stuck in your mouth on a dive is uncomfortable, distracting, and over all an ineffective and unsafe way to dive.

 

[Willieboy]

No snorkel in the mouth must be new doctrine. I was certified in 1970 and I do not remember this being taught. To the contrary, I do remember being taught to begin exhaling as I neared the surface so that, when I broke the surface, the snorkel would already be clear and I could immediately inhale.