Valve snorkels

[Carol Reid]

Folks,
Some people disapprove of valve snorkels. I quite like mine except when trying a 5/6m dive when it seemed to offer quite a lot of resistance and it seems to oscillate around the side of my head. I don't teach/instruct when using it in the pool and insist (thanks Andy!) that my pupils use a plain tube until they are very competent.
How do others feel?
What's the best kind? the most expensive?
Has anyone ever heard of an Impulse 2 snorkel?
Cheers
Carol

[nick stevens asi400]

There isn't much of a problem with valve snorkels. I personally dont like them, but thats mainly from a teaching point of view. As you have said, we have to encourage our students to be able to use a basic snorkel correctly. Other than that there isn't much of an issue.

The biggest problem with valved snorkels, and probably one of the main reasons they are disliked by instructors of junior snorkellers, is cleaning and maintenance.

The valves, being only made of a thin piece of silicon, can get easily worn, or on beaches grains of sand inside. This leads to leaks which can be off putting to a new student. Repairing this problem can be difficult. No matter how often we remind our students to clean their kit, i wonder how often it really happens, call me cynical....

happy bubbling

Nick Stevens ASI 400
Snorkel Instructor Trainer & Area Snorkelling Advisor - Surrey

[Bob Healey]

Hi

Like you I like my valved snorkel, I find it easier especially, dare I say it, being a smoker. But like you we insist on all our pupils becoming competetent with normal snorkels first before they move on. It's just a personal choice, Snorkelling is for fun and should be made as easy and enjoyable as possible.


I go along with what Nick says, it can be a problem on the beach when the kids just "put" their equipment on the sand.

I can't help you with the Impulse 2, never come across it.

Cheers and happy snorkelling.

Bob Healey.