Snorkeling Gear

[mydauphin]

A couple of questions for divers with more experience than me...

I have to dive to a depth of 8 feet but will be working at a 5 foot deep. I will pouring concrete in water where I am going to be in. I dont want to use scuba tank or hooka because afraid regulator might get concrete/sand in regulator. Also water is in canal and might be slightly poluted. Can I use a snorkel of 5 foot in length, modified with a bigger hose and ear plugs. I will be wearing a wet suit, mask, weighted shoes. If no ear plugs what else could I use, short of hard helmet. thanks in advance

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by mydauphin

A couple of questions for divers with more experience than me...

I have to dive to a depth of 8 feet but will be working at a 5 foot deep. I will pouring concrete in water where I am going to be in. I dont want to use scuba tank or hooka because afraid regulator might get concrete/sand in regulator. Also water is in canal and might be slightly poluted. Can I use a snorkel of 5 foot in length, modified with a bigger hose and ear plugs. I will be wearing a wet suit, mask, weighted shoes. If no ear plugs what else could I use, short of hard helmet. thanks in advance

You would not be able to breath through a 5 foot hose. For that matter not even a 2 foot hose. The water pressure on your chest at just a couple of feet is more than you can overcome to inhale air at surface pressure. If you are concerned about damage to your regulator use a diaphragm design first stage. They isolate the sensitive parts of the regulator from the water. The second stage would not be effected by the dirty water and could be easily cleaned anyway. Or if you use a hookah you only have a second stage in the water so not a concern.

[Robertcateran]

I agree with avoiding clear skirts and loath those purge valves. I have blown out too many and others have leaked with a tiny bit of sand in the wrong place. SImple tube with a comfortable mouthpiece. If you have a silicon mask, you may find it clouds up easily. Get busy with some toothpaste and scrub the bag out of it. The most important thing is to find one that doesn't leak with your particular face. It may be a $10 one or a $100 dollar one, but the best one is the one that is comfortable and doesn't leak.

My dauphin, there are some battery operated hookahs that work well at shallow depths. Shallow depths are possibly the most dangerous as you can easily get an embolism if you hold your breath coming up as the proportional volume changes are greater than down deeper

[MarkJ]

Hi Sarah,

(Nicolle here using Mark's login).

Mark and I brought our fantastic snorkels (which have been half way around the world so far with us) in Panama City (a great place to find a bargain!!!).

They were soooo cheap and they are just the best!

We paid about $15 US for the mask and snorkel set and about $35 US for flippers. Ours are standard, basic and work well snorkelling all day everyday in beautiful coral paradises around the world. They worked fine when we snorkeled with the wild Sea Lions too. So as you can see I have tested them under all sorts of conditions..........lol.....lol...

We understand that you get what you pay for and so we are not expecting them to last forever, but we love them and they are just fine for us, even with regular use in tropical areas.

We always rises and clean them with fresh water after use and don't leave them in the sun etc.

My mask is comfy, doesn't let water in and I just purge the water straight out the top when I pop up to the surface. I wouldn't want one that has a cover on the top of the snorkel.

I suggest (from a total snorkelling fan) that you just get one and get out there to a lovely reef and go exploring, see the beautiful little fishes and coral and enjoy!!!!!!

Our idea was that we would start with a cheap set and then if we liked them and used them a lot maybe we could then upgrade in the future when the cheaper ones are stuffed and splurge and get a really nice set. We have been really happy with them so far.......I think basic is the way to go.

I still miss the lovely little clown fish I swam with in Tonga, they were so cute and lively. We are abou to to go to Ludy Musgrave Lagoon (part of the Southern Great Barrier Reef) and I can't WAIT!!!!!! My snorkel is just jumping to get back into the beautiful tropical water.

I think a pink snorkel might help you to see more beautiful things........lol.....just joking (I love the colour pink

Have a wonderful day!

Smiles

Nicolle

[RBEmerson]

Originally Posted by skipmac

You would not be able to breath through a 5 foot hose. For that matter not even a 2 foot hose. The water pressure on your chest at just a couple of feet is more than you can overcome to inhale air at surface pressure. If you are concerned about damage to your regulator use a diaphragm design first stage. They isolate the sensitive parts of the regulator from the water. The second stage would not be effected by the dirty water and could be easily cleaned anyway. Or if you use a hookah you only have a second stage in the water so not a concern.

Exactly! The only way to get air down to 5-8' is with a compressed air source pushing air to you. Additionally, even at 5-8', plugs might (not saying will) pop the wrong way - Bad Thing. Have a chat with a health practitioner about suitable antibiotics.

Poseidon makes a reg that would work in this setting - it's commonly used by commercial divers. But, unfortunately, this stuff isn't cheap. Or you could buy a used cheap reg, expecting it could be toast by the time the job's done. Hook it up to a tank on a raft or boat or whatever, and use a suitable hose to tie the tank and reg together.

BTW, if you are not a certified diver, forget using compressed air, whether from a tank (without a C-card, any reputable shop won't fill the tank) or hookah (yeah, yeah, yeah - I know these things are used by people without dive training - IMNSHO a very bad idea). Even in the shallow water you're going to be working in, there are risks to your lungs if you get it wrong.

[RBEmerson]

Nicolle hit on a good point about snorkel colors. Get the brightest color you can stand. If you're snorkeling where dinghies zip around, it's at least a bit of insurance to have something that doesn't blend into the water's color. Think about getting a "diver down" float to tow along on a lanyard.

And remember, even when snorkeling, wear sunscreen! Splashing around in the water doesn't completely block UV in sunlight from cooking your hide.

[starfish62]

I personally like the silicon masks, and have used them over the years. But they get "the grunge" around the skirt really bad after awhile, and can look really gross. Same goes for silicon mouthpieces on snorkles, of which I'm also a fan. Comfort is the big thing.

I'm curious about breathing through a hose at 5 feet. 5/33 =0.15 atmospheres. I atmosphere is about 14 PSI. 14 PSI x .15 = 2 PSI. When I forget to click my ScubaPro MK25 600 second stage from "Pre Dive" to "Dive" the cracking pressure is easily that much, and it's not a problem though granted I am being "given" air and not sucking it down a tube that also has friction, etc. Anyone got a pool and a garden hose?

[S/V New Sensation]

Starfish, I’m sure someone more eloquent than I will provide a better answer but I believe the problem is your modeling of the problem. If the pressure difference on the regulator is 2 psi and the diaphragm is say one square inch then you need to pull 2# to open it and receive air that has been regulated for the depth you’re at. If you lie on the floor and place a 2# weight on your chest no problem drawing a breath. Now using a different model assuming your chest is about 44 inches and the length of the rib cage that needs to expand to fill the lungs is 12 inches this gives an area of 528 square inches. Now place a 2# per square inch pressure on the out side and zero on the inside and you are now lying on the floor trying to fill your lungs with over 1000# sitting on your chest (even if we discount to half or even a quarter of the weight I don’t think I could inhale). As a real world example as a young boy I know I tried to make long snorkels (probably not more than 3 feet) and I know none of them worked.

[starfish62]

I follow you, Sensation. It's the total surface area under pressure that causes the problem. Still, I'm gonna have to try that one myself.

Now, what happens if you breathe pure oxygen at 33 feet?

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by starfish62

I follow you, Sensation. It's the total surface area under pressure that causes the problem. Still, I'm gonna have to try that one myself.

Now, what happens if you breathe pure oxygen at 33 feet?

You will have a pretty good chance of going into convulsions and if you are underwater you would likely drown. In technical diving oxygen is not considered safe below 20' in the water. You might get away with pure O2 at 30' if you were lucky and not exerting yourself at all.

Under strictly controlled situations I have used O2 as deep as 30' but in a dry underwater habitat and with frequent breaks to a low O2 gas. Also with safety divers in the water, a chamber nearby and trained EMTs on site.

[sfreivald]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Hi Sarah,

(Nicolle here using Mark's login).

I suggest (from a total snorkelling fan) that you just get one and get out there to a lovely reef and go exploring, see the beautiful little fishes and coral and enjoy!!!!!!

I think a pink snorkel might help you to see more beautiful things........lol.....just joking (I love the colour pink

Have a wonderful day!

Smiles

Nicolle

Nicolle,

Pink is a favorite of mine, too! I like the idea of being as visible as possible to those up above.

Thank you everyone for the detailed responses... it sounds like simplify simplify - as with so many other things, is the way to go! Now to get down to the dive shop and try these bad boys on.

Sarah

[RBEmerson]

You forgot a step... Go the dive shop (check). Try these bad boys on (check). And...


Get Wet!!!

[sfreivald]

Originally Posted by RBEmerson

You forgot a step... Go the dive shop (check). Try these bad boys on (check). And...


Get Wet!!!

looking forward to it!!

[starfish62]

Originally Posted by skipmac

You will have a pretty good chance of going into convulsions and if you are underwater you would likely drown. You might get away with pure O2 at 30' if you were lucky and not exerting yourself at all.

Under strictly controlled situations I have used O2 as deep as 30' but in a dry underwater habitat and with frequent breaks to a low O2 gas. Also with safety divers in the water, a chamber nearby and trained EMTs on site.

You sound like a trimix guy! I've never done it, but dive nitrox exclusively. Oxygen PP is the only real downer to that gas, of course--don't dive too deep for your mix, but the benefits sure are many!

PS: Let me know how that P422 works out for you. Congratulations (pending survey) on a great boat!!!

[Pat Glazz]

Originally Posted by JiffyLube

Just get a straight tube and learn out to use it...it's easy.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the snorkel was supposed to be bent?

Plain snorkel or purge type? I prefer the purge as I find it a lot easier to clear the last few drops of water that normally stay in a plain snorkel, but try both if you can, and pick the one that you feel most comfortable with.

Mask? I prefer one 'window' as opposed to ones with a divider making them look like an oversized pair of spectacles - just perfer the better field of vision. Silicone is softer and gives a better more comfortable seal, color doesn't really matter but go to a specialist shop and try on several to find one that really fits your face well, hold it on your face and breathe in through your nose, it should seal and stick to your face when you stop breathing in through your nose - if it stays for a few moments then falls off, disgard it and try another.

I seldom take my snorkel gear with me on holidays and usually end up buying a cheap local mask and snorkel that you get from most seaside shops and have just as much fun even if the mask does leak, which I'm used to anyway because I have a thick moustache, it is easy to clear water from a leaky mask if you have to, but get one that fits your face and doesn't leak.