The snorkel is simply a curved tube that
lets you breath while floating face-down on the surface of the water.
When diving, it is used to conserve air in your tank
while on the surface. They also offer hours of enjoyment for snorkelling in
the shallows allowing you to keep your head underwater.
For a large range of Snorkels for all conditions visit our Snorkels department in Simply Snorkel
There are a variety of features available on todays snorkels, some of
these are explained below
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This is a one-way valve that allows water to be cleared from the snorkel from
the lower end, thus reducing the effort Required for clearing. In certain snorkels, the valve
is located directly below the mouthpiece; others incorporate a shotgun design with a valve on a
separate branch from the main tube.
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Many modern snorkels incorporate a system
that reduces the amount of water entering the open end, for example if a wave washes over your head known as a wave chamber. Many people recall a
ping pong ball on the top of a snorkel to stop any water entering
the tube, this system is no longer available.
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A flexi-tube on the snorkel
mouthpiece keeps the snorkel out of the way while underwater, and
can be bent back round to the most comfortable position when
Required. Better snorkels such as the TUSA
Platina Hyperdry snorkel have a corrugated flexi-tube but the inside is smooth so
the air flow is not disturbed making each breath much easier.
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Often with higer quality snorkels such as the TUSA Platina
Hyperdry snorkel the parts are individually replaceable , whereas with more basic models
you would have to replace the whole snorkel.
Some snorkels are designed to fit into a BCD pocket when not in use,
such as the Oceanic Pocket
Snorkel or Scubapro folding
snorkel.
Snorkels are all available in a variety of colours in
order to match your mask and the rest of your gear.
For a large range of Snorkels for all conditions visit our Snorkels department in Simply Snorkel