Hello Jim:
This is Dr. Johnson, inventor of the Kapitol Reef snorkel. Thank you for posting your comments here. It gives me a chance to clarify a misconception that I may have left you and others with.
Let me reassure you that Kapitol Reef is indeed an extremely dry snorkel for surface swimming in rough water and for deep diving. Your observation is correct that the inhalation valve’s membrane, on its own, would do practically nothing to keep water out of the snorkel. But this membrane is not a simple baffle. It is a critical component of a high performance check valve that maintains pressure within the snorkel. As such, when the snorkel pressurizes during exhalation or diving, this membrane provides a tight seal that prevents water from entering the inhalation chambers. Furthermore, the exhalation pressure that this membrane supports naturally clears all water that may have snuck in during the previous inhalation. Water never builds up between breaths. Every inhalation starts dry, whether you are swimming underneath a small waterfall or resurfacing from a deep dive.
Our greatest contribution to snorkel science is the beneficial application of a precise exhalation pressure. There are numerous immediate physiologic benefits that derive from this. You may visit the kapitolreef.com website to learn more. The separation of inhaled air from exhaled CO2 primarily helps those with smaller lungs, such as children. Our testing showed that the appropriate application of exhalation pressure is much more important than the simple separation of air passages for most people to improve respiratory efficiency.
One item of concern that I think is appropriate to mention in posting to this particular site concerns shallow water blackout. This snorkel uniquely affects respiratory physiology in multiple ways, so it may alter the perception of safe single-breath dive times. My concern is that some extreme freedivers may use this snorkel as a means to achieve longer breath holds. As indicated in its owner’s manual, the snorkel has not been tested or proven to enhance safety in this application. The company does not recommend that people hyperventilate through this snorkel to obtain longer dive times. Of course, we would be very interested in having this issue thoroughly studied in an academic setting if anybody is interested.
On a final note, regarding the size, for those who have not held it, the forward profile of this snorkel is similar to that of any other high-end snorkel. It does not plow more water while swimming or diving. The modest widening necessary to accommodate the narrow exhalation tube is only evident on the side profile, which we think actually provides a more comfortable surface fit against the head. Additionally, its modern clip design draws this snorkel closer to the head to further reduce swim resistance.
Best wishes to all. Unless further comment is specifically requested of me, I’ll remain silent and just let this post serve as a focal point for additional discussion by others.
Mark R. Johnson, M.D.
President
Kapitol Reef Aquatics
. And if you are like me, you frequently find yourself in the water with folks not as relaxed as yourself. If this thing makes breathing feel more familiar, it may help. $90 is a bit steep for a snorkel - thus the start of this thread.
