Everything You Need To Know About Buying A Snorkel For Freediving
Selecting a snorkel for freediving can be a challenging task. We break down everything you need to know to help you make your selection.
When it comes to freediving, there is a variety of different pieces of equipment that you can bring along that will enhance or alter your diving experience. Some equipment is designed to maximize your diving capability (ie diving fins) while other pieces of equipment can simply make your adventure more memorable (like a camera mount on a diving mask). In this article, we examine snorkels and everything you need to know before bringing one on a freediving trip.
What Is The Difference Between Snorkeling And Freediving
This is one of those questions where it depends on whom you ask. There are varying schools of thought on this topic and there are things to be considered when answering this question. Are these activities one and the same? Are there specific distinctions between the activities that make one thing “snorkeling” while another thing is “freediving?” Can a be snorkeling one moment and then freediving another?
When you think of snorkeling, one of the main characteristics that set it apart is the breathing apparatus that is attached to your face mask. This is typically some form of a tube that protrudes from the surface of the water while your breath through the other end as you are submerged underwater. This tube can be connected to your diving mask as a separate piece of equipment in itself. Or, the snorkel can actually be built into a facemask that covers your entire face while being submerged.
Freediving, on the other hand, requires no such breathing apparatus. With nothing more than a facemask, you can hold your breath and dive beneath the waves. With freediving, you are limited by nothing more than your ability to hold your breath and your ability to propel yourself through the water.
Generally speaking, when a person is snorkeling, they spend a lot of time gliding across the surface of the water. The swimmer can keep their face submerged because the snorkel allows them to breathe while their face is submerged. The swimmer can swim across the surface for long periods of time while breathing through the snorkel. Periodic dives beneath the surface are broken up with periods of casual gliding across the water’s surface.
In contrast, freediving can be more physically taxing. The diver relies on their physical condition and their ability to hold their breath while diving below the surface of the water to reach challenging depths. One might argue that freediving is slightly less of a leisure sport in that it requires more physical exertion. This is also why freediving has developed into a competitive sport over the years. With freediving, the focus is more on reaching the desired depth. By comparison, snorkeling is focused more on being able to breathe while enjoying the underwater environment.
What To Consider Before Bringing A Snorkel For Freediving
Anytime you consider bringing additional equipment along for your freediving expedition, there are certain things you will need to consider. Equipment can enhance your freediving experience but it can also compromise it as well. The following are a few things to consider when bringing a snorkel along for a freediving trip.
Added Drag – One of the main things you want to minimize as a freediver is the amount of drag on your body as you swim through the water. It is important that you maximize your ability to glide through the water with each dive. That way, you will be able to dive deeper and swim farther on a single breath. However, when you secure a snorkel to your diving mask or if you choose to use a mask with a snorkel built onto it, you add drag that will compromise your efficiency when cutting through the water. Additionally, snorkel attachments can wobble and vibrate as you swim through the water. This means that you will have even more resistance when compared to snorkels that a built into the mask.
Compromised Breathing – It goes without saying that getting a good deep breath before taking your dive is essential to having a good, deep dive. However, if you are relying on oxygen intake via a snorkel, your breathing can be seriously compromised due to the constricted airway that the tube provides.
Snorkels are designed to allow a person to breathe leisurely while floating at the surface of the water. However, another function of the snorkel is to prevent water from rushing into the diver’s mouth and lungs while breathing. Snorkels accomplish this with a design that closes one or more openings when the snorkel is submerged. Additionally, snorkels minimize the openings that allow for the influx of air. This allows air to travel down the snorkel while minimizing the amount of water that can accidentally splash in.
While these features are ideal for someone who is casually breathing at the surface of the water, these limitations on the amount of are that can be taken in are not conducive to optimal pre-dive breathing. A freediver needs to be able to breath unencumbered before making the dive to ensure maximum oxygenation before being submerged. Restricting your breathing isn’t the best strategy for someone who wants to maximize their depths and distances while underwater.
Do I Need A Snorkel For Freediving?
Should you bring a snorkel to freedive? This is a matter of personal preference but in terms of whether or not a snorkel is essential to freediving, the answer is no. The very essence of freediving is the ability to dive with a limited amount of equipment or no equipment at all. So in that regard, a snorkel is not a necessary piece of equipment. In fact, if your goal is to dive deep and swim far while submerged, we would almost go as far as to recommend that you avoid bringing a snorkel with you on your freediving excursion. However, if you plan on spending more time at the surface of the water and leisurely observing your surroundings from that vantage point, a snorkel could be a useful piece of equipment. Its all about knowing what your own intentions and goals are before you set out on your expedition.
What Are The Different Types Of Snorkels
Classic J Snorkel – This is this simplest form of snorkel there is. It gets its name for its similarity to the letter “J” and is nothing more than a hollow tube that you can breathe through.
Advantages Of The Classic J Snorkel- being that these are the most basic form of snorkels, they are perfect for beginners or people who are trying to decide if they want to bring them on freediving trips. Additionally, these are usually the most inexpensive types of snorkels on the market. So, if you’re still on the fence about whether or not to own one, this type of snorkel is a good starter-snorkel.
Disadvantages Of The Classic J Snorkel – The problem with these basic snorkels is that there is no mechanism to prevent the inward flow of water. This means that the second you dive under the water, the tube will be filled with water. This can also be an issue even if you are floating at the surface of the water. Waves can splash water into the snorkel unexpectedly. Since these models of snorkels lack any sort of purging valve or mechanism, the only way to expel the water from the snorkel is to remove it at the surface and turn it upside-down or forcefully exhale into the snorkel and blow the water out like a whale coming to the surface for air.
Semi-Dry Snorkel – These types of snorkels defend against waves unwanted moisture with a splash guard at the top of the tube. While this doesn’t completely keep water out of the tube, it does serve as the first line of defense against the splashing water that you will inevitably encounter while drifting at the surface. They also commonly have a purge valve near the mouthpiece of the snorkel which will expel unwanted moisture as you exhale.
Advantages Of Semi-Dry Snorkels – These are generally more on an intermediate price scale and they fall somewhere between the cheaper classic snorkels and the more expensive dry snorkels. The splash guard will offer some defense against unwanted water flowing into the tube and the purge valve allows you a means of expelling any unwanted water without surfacing completely.
Disadvantages Of Semi-Dry Snorkels – These will still fill up with water when you dive beneath the water. As a result, you will have to exhale forcefully once you reach the surface in order to clear the tube of unwanted moisture. Even if you are using the purge valve, it will take a good amount of force to get all the water out of the snorkel. This can be dangerous as you surface from a long dive because your reflex will be to inhale once you are at the surface. If you fail to expel all of the water from the tube, you may accidentally inhale some residual water from the tube.
Dry Snorkel – These types of snorkels take every precaution possible in order to keep water out of the tube. They have a valve at the top of the tube that closes off the tube completely as the water rises around it. This prevents water from filling the tube when you choose to dive below the surface. These snorkels also have a purge valve, like their semi-dry counterparts, that allows a diver to expel unwanted moisture while exhaling.
Advantages Of Dry Snorkels – If you are planning on taking any form of snorkel with you for a freediving trip, a dry snorkel is your best option. The valves that seal off the tube are ideal for anyone who plans to do any sort of diving. These valves prevent the tube from requiring any regular clearing of water. The purge valve located near the mouthpiece is a convenient way of expelling any saliva buildup or unwanted water that may accumulate in the snorkel.
Disadvantages Of Dry Snorkels – The main compromise you are going to experience with these snorkels is their resistance in the water. Since these devices close up completely when submerged, they trap air within the tube. This means that whenever you decide to dive, you will have to pull against the buoyancy of the snorkel. This compromises your speed underwater and the depths to which you can dive. Additionally, these snorkels tend to be more expensive among the other semi-dry and classic J counterparts.
Face Mask Snorkel – As the name implies, these snorkels are built into a full face mask that covers the entirety of the freediver’s face. This differs from all the types of snorkels that require the diver to maintain the snorkel mouthpiece within their mouth throughout the dive. With a full facemask, the diver can breathe comfortably at the surface of the water and comfortably hold his or her breath as they descend into the water without the uncomfortable mouthpiece to fatigue the muscles in the diver’s face.
Advantages Of Face Mask Snorkels – These snorkels are typically of the dry snorkel variety. This means that you get all the benefits of dry snorkels with the added benefits of a full face mask. These benefits include more natural breathing at the surface of the water as well as a wider viewing range in comparison to goggles or half face masks. Many of these, models have anti-fogging features that prevent moisture buildup while in use. The masks also prevent the muscle fatigue that comes with normal snorkels as you hold them in your mouth.
Disadvantages Of Face Mask Snorkels – If you are going to invest in a face mask snorkel, you need to make sure it’s a quality model. However, a quality face mask can be some of the more expensive pieces of equipment that you’ll come across. Of course, there are cheaper versions. However, this is the type of thing that you get what you pay for. Additionally, the snorkels are built into the mask. This means that generally speaking, the tubes do not come off. When these dry snorkel tubes are filled with air, along with the air in the mask itself, divers tend to work against an added amount of buoyancy that exceeds that of the other snorkel types.
What Is The Best Type Of Snorkel For Freediving?
Like many things, this often comes down to personal needs and preferences. What is best for one person may not be optimal for another. However, the following is a general breakdown of which type of people will benefit from each style.
The Classic J Snorkel – This is the best choice for people who plan on freediving once, possibly on vacation, and likely will never do it again. There is no need to spend a lot of money on something that you will only use once or twice. Additionally, you may turn out to be the type of person who prefers the actual freediving aspect of the experience and chooses to spend little to no time at the surface of the water. If you are going to be predominantly underwater, the snorkel serves no purpose. In this case, it is best that you not break the bank on a high-tech snorkel.
Semi-Dry Snorkel – If you are the type of person who makes it a point to go freediving a few times a year then this is likely the best choice for you. It’s also a good option if you vary between days of freediving and snorkeling and days where you mostly freedive. Snorkels are devices that are meant for people who enjoy gliding at the surface of the water and observing their environment from above. If this isn’t your primary objective while you are out in the water then a semi-dry snorkel can be an adequate purchase.
Dry Snorkel – For the diver who spends a fair amount of time at the surface of the water or if you are someone who frequently snorkels, a dry snorkel is your best bet. These are by far the best option when it comes to keeping water out of your breathing tube. This type of snorkel is truly a “snorkeler’s snorkel.” So, if you plan on actually snorkeling while out in the water, this is a wise purchase.
Face Mask Snorkel – This is, yet again, a “snorkeler’s snorkel.” These are designed to provide optimal viewing capability while submerged. If you are planning on snorkeling or freediving anywhere tropical or any place with beautiful underwater scenery, this type of snorkel option might be best for you. However, if you are in a lake (for example) or a location that typically has murky water, this option may be overkill. Be sure to research your intended diving locations before selecting this option.
Recommendations
The following are a few recommendations for each type of snorkel option. We were amazed by the deals that Amazon has on these. Be sure to check each of these out.
Face Mask Snorkel –
This face mask snorkel comes highly recommended by users the world over. It has all the benefits of a good face mask that you would normally look for along with the added benefit of a dry snorkel. It has 180-degree viewing and the separate breathing chamber helps to prevent fogging. This means that you will have the best viewing experience while snorkeling. It also has a camera mount so you can capture all of your diving adventures.
Dry Snorkel – Cressi Diving Dry Snorkel (Amazon ASIN: B00M0BHRIK )
As far as diving equipment goes, Cressi is one of the most high-quality brands around. This snorkel possesses a completely dry top which is designed to prevent any sort of water entry. It also has a splash guard which prevents water from entering while at the surface. Like many dry snorkels, it has a purge valve which allows for convenient water clearing.
Semi-Dry Snorkel – Scubapro Escape Semi-Dry Snorkel (Amazon ASIN: B001P5W7SC)
If you are looking for a product that is going to last, this is the snorkel for you. It has all the quality craftsmanship that Scubapro promises with all their products. It is designed with a splash guard at the top that prevents water from entering while at the surface of the water. It lacks a purge valve but any unwanted water can be expelled by forcibly exhaling through the tube.
Classic Snorkel – Cressi Standard Bore Tube Snorkel (Amazon ASIN: B001OEH7SE)
If you want quality without the added cost, this is the snorkel for you. This is the perfect snorkel for the casual freediver or the vacationer who is just looking to get a little something extra from their freediving experience. It is constructed with a multi-positional silicone mouthpiece, which offers the utmost comfort when in use.
At the end of the day, whether or not you take a snorkel along for your freediving trip at all is a matter of your intentions. Are snorkels necessary for freediving? The answer is, no. However, if you plan to do some intermittent leisure floating at the surface of the water in between dives, they can be handy tools that can enhance your freediving experience.