I just heard from someone who used to be a dive master and is now in medical school (not here, he's in the States).
He has told me that there is a correlation between using a snorkel and CO2. What he said was because when a swimmer or snorkeler breathes in and out and because of the width and length of the snorkel tube, that CO2 remains in the bottom of the snorkel so when the swimmer/snorkeler takes each breath, he is inhaling the remains of CO2. This is not a good thing.
Is this why, maybe, that when using a snorkel it appears a swimmer/snorkeler can't get a good breath? I also know that because of the small tubing size, it is hard to really hard to inhale a lot of air, or at least that has been my problem. But CO2?
Is this why when using a snorkel for swimming or snorkeling, breathing can be difficult for some? I know Warren said he uses one, I'd be interested to hear if he has found any problems with using it.
Anyone else?
Donna
Parents
Former Member
I use a snorkel to swim when paying close attention to my stroke, specially the front crawl. I also use it to do leg drills, including the dolphin kick. And, once a year, I use it for snorkeling! The snorkel is no problem for its primary use as when snorkeling for viewing or for spearing fish, one does not swim fast enough or at a level where oxygen is a problem. The snorkel is a device that will permit you to look down and see the fish or whatnot without having to take a breath losing your eye contact. When you come up for air you blow through the water in the tube and take a breath, so the C02 retention isn't really an issue. One does get tired after a long time of snorkeling, even though you are hardly moving in the water, just gently using your fins, and I believe that is due to the residual C02 that creeps up on you through all that dead space. There is no dead space added when using a breathing apparatus(SCUBA) as the valve is at your mouth, i.e. you don't expire through any resistance. There is a competition, mostly by firemen or armed forces guys, where you are allowed snorkels, masks and fins. You cannot use your arms, which stay a if you were at attention. These guys usually swim up to 3 kilometers using only their legs. The main distraction is keeping their bearing, in the dark waters of lakes. But those guys are fast and come in close behind the normal 3 k swimmers. billy fanstone
I use a snorkel to swim when paying close attention to my stroke, specially the front crawl. I also use it to do leg drills, including the dolphin kick. And, once a year, I use it for snorkeling! The snorkel is no problem for its primary use as when snorkeling for viewing or for spearing fish, one does not swim fast enough or at a level where oxygen is a problem. The snorkel is a device that will permit you to look down and see the fish or whatnot without having to take a breath losing your eye contact. When you come up for air you blow through the water in the tube and take a breath, so the C02 retention isn't really an issue. One does get tired after a long time of snorkeling, even though you are hardly moving in the water, just gently using your fins, and I believe that is due to the residual C02 that creeps up on you through all that dead space. There is no dead space added when using a breathing apparatus(SCUBA) as the valve is at your mouth, i.e. you don't expire through any resistance. There is a competition, mostly by firemen or armed forces guys, where you are allowed snorkels, masks and fins. You cannot use your arms, which stay a if you were at attention. These guys usually swim up to 3 kilometers using only their legs. The main distraction is keeping their bearing, in the dark waters of lakes. But those guys are fast and come in close behind the normal 3 k swimmers. billy fanstone
