Snorkels

Selecting Your Snorkel

Snorkels are made from a combination of materials, usually the upper bore is made from a rigid or semi rigid plastic while the lower portion or mouthpiece is made from silitex or silicon.

Bore

Contouring the snorkel to the head is a common feature of better snorkels. The larger the snorkel diameter the easier the breathing, but the greater the difficulty in clearing it of water. A small bore will restrict the flow of air but is easier to clear, this style is more suited to children. The larger bore is more suited to adults.

Mouthpiece

As with masks, the mouthpieces on snorkels come in a variety of sizes and material. The material varies from Silitex to Silicon. The silitex is a little hard on the mouth after extended use, whereas the silicon is much more comfortable and favoured by people spending extended periods in the water.

Length

The length of a snorkel should not exceed about 43cm/17 inches, any longer than this and it would become more difficult to clear, and if too short it will allow water to continually enter.

Purge Valve

The purge valve is found at the bottom of the snorkel and is designed to allow the snorkel to self-drain to reduce the effort in clearing.

Snorkel Keeper

Snorkel keepers are used to attach the snorkel to the mask strap, they are normally a soft loop style that slides over the snorkel or a clip-on plastic keeper. The keepers are supplied with the snorkel.

Dry Top

The dry top on a snorkel is designed to restrict the entry of water through the top of the snorkel without reducing the flow of air.