snorkel breathing

RE: snorkel breathing

knelson — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 10:14:35 GMT

Thanks for the reviews!

RE: snorkel breathing

StewartACarroll — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 08:34:33 GMT

How is the fit on the MP snorkel? I ask because the one thing I don't like about the Finis is it gets uncomfortable on my forehead after a while. I thought I'd solve the problem by buying a replacement headband, but the new one isn't much better. I really can't use it too long or it will leave a mark on my forehead. the quality of the MP snorkel is very good. The head band seems cushioned and the strap is solid. Unlike the finis where I continually had to tighten the head band due to the movement on turns, I have not had to adjust the head band since I first put it on. The curved shape and distance from the face of the tube make it very well balanced also. My only issue is the additional aerobic capacity required to breath through it at speed; which, when you really think about it, is probably a good thing also. I agree that the mouth piece is bulky but I got used to it very quickly and since its molded into the tube I have had no leaks. I like the finis snorkel but love the MP snorkel.

RE: snorkel breathing

Former Member — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 16:18:29 GMT

The Whale snorkel openings are 5/8" to 3/4" inside diameters at each end. Can someone tell me the Finis snorkel measurements for comparison?

RE: snorkel breathing

knelson — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 11:26:02 GMT

RE: snorkel breathing

__steve__ — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 10:14:32 GMT

I have found that the MP snorkel is closer to your face and does not move anywhere near as much as the finis snorkel on turns.I also have the same performance with the MP Aquasphere snorkel, as well as the greater demand on respiration. I also find it takes a good volume of air to clear it. I still prefer it over the leading finis brand, which is also a good product, especially for learning.

RE: snorkel breathing

MSwan — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 05:05:07 GMT

My Finis would also flop around on turns until I wrapped some electrical tape around the snorkel securing it to the forehead piece so it couldn't spin. It works much better.

RE: snorkel breathing

__steve__ — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 02:28:55 GMT

RE: snorkel breathing

StewartACarroll — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 08:52:36 GMT

The main issues I had when I started using the snorkel was ensuring I cleared it fully after surfacing from a turn. It becomes second nature after a while, but while you're learning you're bound to take in some water when trying to breathe every so often. The other was keeping the snorkel from flopping around on turns. I think it helps to brace the snorkel against one of your forearms and to be sure to flip straight over to avoid this. I agree with both of these points. I have found that the MP snorkel is closer to your face and does not move anywhere near as much as the finis snorkel on turns.

RE: snorkel breathing

StewartACarroll — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 08:41:48 GMT

That's a really good point. The inside diameter is 5/8" to 3/4" at each end. Perhaps keeping a constant pressure both inhaling and exhaling will be helpful. What issues did you have before getting used to the snorkel, and how did you get used to it? Doing low intensity swimming such as my warm up I had no issues, however on longer higher intensity aerobic sets(60-80% max HR) I had shortness of breath like you describe. After a couple of months of just sticking with the snorkel I seem to have adjusted and it's no longer an issue. As an aside I used a nose clip for about two years due to the challenge of keeping water out of my nose/lungs during turns. Last summer I ditched the nose piece and this has really helped with ensuring I am completely exhaling. It's a double edged sword so to speak with the nose clip from my experience; it really helps with doing flip turns with the snorkel but also feels unnatural with breathing(at least it did to me). Good luck.

RE: snorkel breathing

knelson — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 04:42:07 GMT

RE: snorkel breathing

Former Member — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 14:14:11 GMT

I have a fairly strong aerobic system but it took me a few weeks to get used to the reduction in oxygen through the snorkel. I wonder if your brand of snorkel has a smaller tube and opening to the tube which can affect your swimming while using it. That's a really good point. The inside diameter is 5/8" to 3/4" at each end. Perhaps keeping a constant pressure both inhaling and exhaling will be helpful. What issues did you have before getting used to the snorkel, and how did you get used to it?

RE: snorkel breathing

knelson — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 12:17:25 GMT

Mark & Knelson, how far do you go continuously with the snorkel? I could go as far with the snorkel as without. I'm sure I've gone at least 1,500 yards continuously with it. There really is a learning curve. It took me a long time before I could effectively swim the same with it or without it. Just keep with it and it will begin to feel natural!

RE: snorkel breathing

Former Member — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 10:20:47 GMT

RE: snorkel breathing

StewartACarroll — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 09:54:23 GMT

Thanks for the feedback. It's a Whale center snorkel from Ebay, and it does have a strong plastic smell. I tried going farther than 25y today, breathing out through my nose. This was working okay, but I stopped at 35y as the chlorine was affecting my breathing. It also affected me just swimming normally, so this wasn't an issue with the snorkel today. I'll need to sort this out, maybe after the summer at the other pool, and will stay with 25y until then. i have been using a finis snorkel for about 3 years and use it a lot on longer aerobic sets(2000-4000 yds) and during my warm up. I recently switched from a finis snorkel to an MP snorkel(I got a sweet deal at our local swim shop). I assumed that all snorkels were equal but found out that despite the MP snorkel being much easier to do flip turns with due to the distance between the snorkel and your face, it was harder to breath through due to the opening size on the snorkel. I have used a cardio cap on the finis snorkel which restricts the opening on the snorkel and limits the amount of oxygen you can take in. The MP opening seems to have the same effect as the cardio cap on the finis. I have a fairly strong aerobic system but it took me a few weeks to get used to the reduction in oxygen through the snorkel. I wonder if your brand of snorkel has a smaller tube and opening to the tube which can affect your swimming while using it.

RE: snorkel breathing

Former Member — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 05:20:17 GMT

I could go as far with the snorkel as without. I'm sure I've gone at least 1,500 yards continuously with it. There really is a learning curve. It took me a long time before I could effectively swim the same with it or without it. Just keep with it and it will begin to feel natural! Awesome. That's encouraging. Thanks.

RE: snorkel breathing

__steve__ — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 05:12:43 GMT

Like Kirk said, "There's a learning curve". You'll get used to it and probably learn to love it. What type snorkel are you using?

RE: snorkel breathing

Mark Usher — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 04:41:33 GMT

Mark & Knelson, how far do you go continuously with the snorkel? I kicked 12x25 yards with the snorkel today, first with long slow breaths, then out normally through the nose. My preference is out through the nose, as this eliminates the dead space, and it sounds very loud in the water. 400 meters is the furthest I've gone with it either pulling or kicking. Most of the time I use it for 25 - 100 yd drill/kick sets. Mark

RE: snorkel breathing

Former Member — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 13:18:49 GMT

RE: snorkel breathing

Windrath — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 12:58:59 GMT

I doubt very much that the problem you are having is related to "breathing" the same air. The amount of oxygen in "stale" air is plenty to keep going on - think of it as similar to why CPR works. More likely, you are focusing on inhaling as much as possible and not exhaling alot - a fairly common situation. Try focusing on exactly the opposite - exhaling completely and not worrying about inhaling. The reason you want to focus on exhaling is because that gets rid of the carbon dioxide being generated by your body. AND, carbon dioxide build up is what triggers your breathing - not lack of oxygen. By exhaling more forcefully and completely, the amount of CO2 in your lungs will decrease and you will feel less pressure in your chest. And, by exhaling completely, you set your diaphragm muscles up for an easier time when inhaling (along with creating, relatively speaking, a "vacuum" in your lungs. Air just comes in easier. Good Luck....

RE: snorkel breathing

knelson — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 11:04:16 GMT

I've been told in the past to inhale through the snorkel and exhale through your nose, but can't say that I could tell any difference. That's what I do and it works for me, but I suspect the most important thing is really practice. There's definitely a learning curve with a snorkel.

RE: snorkel breathing

Mark Usher — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 12:30:10 GMT

I've been told in the past to inhale through the snorkel and exhale through your nose, but can't say that I could tell any difference. Mark