TUSA Hyperdry Snorkel
I just bought a new snorkel after 20 years of use on my prior purchase. I chose the TUSA SP-170 first for comfort of the mouthpiece and bore width of the tube. Next, I evaluated how water drains from the tube. The purge valve under the mouthpiece is covered, so stray sand or kelp will not block it open and let water in, a problem I'd had with older snorkels.
At the top of the snorkel tube, TUSA's Hyperdry System creates a separate pathway for water to eject, making for quicker clearing of the airway for my next breath. Other brands do have similar configurations and differ only slightly from the TUSA design. What hooked me on the TUSA is its Comfort Swivel, which not only allows me to change the angle of the snorkel without messing with the mask strap, it’s also in two parts that can disconnect as a quick-release to get the snorkel off the mask quickly. Using the old snorkel keeper strap was always a hassle for me.
Snorkels are a very personal choice, and the number of features surprise people who have never purchased one at a dive shop. Some stores won’t allow you to put the mouthpiece in your mouth. If you can't judge the size/fit, try to see if they rent the model you are interested in. Usually an experienced salesman can judge the size well and you can go by his suggestion.
I'm very happy with this choice, and have found it to meet all of my needs either in surf, open ocean or pool conditions.
Available from Amazon
Manufactured by TUSA
Favorite (15)
Moon
Where do you snorkel? What's the advantage of snorkeling over supplied air diving? Other than cost, I suppose.
Aren't you mostly confined to water under about 10 feet deep? In order to see anything, that is.
Joe
I have a TUSA as well--I love it, and vouch for all Opher's comment.
Larry Frewt
Snorkel. Now THERE'S a funny word! SNORKEL. I'll wear one when I go to the bank to apply for a boat loan. SNORKEL.
Hal Pool
I prefer snorkels that let you mold the bite pieces to your teeth. So comfortable that you do not feel like you are biting down on them, so much less jaw strain. It just sits more securely in your mouth.
To Moon: Free diving with a snorkel is in some ways similar and in some ways very different from SCUBA diving. It is much easier to move without the massive tank on your back. Obviously you can not stay down as long. With a bit of practice, an average snorkeler can easily go down over 30 feet and stay for a minute or more.
bifyu
snorkelers (or freedivers) are capable of depths much greater than 10 feet. you trade time below the surface for much less and simpler gear and the bends for shallow water blackout, etc.
David Hull
You don't need a snorkel with a purge valve. The trick is as you come back up, you tilt your face up and start gently exhaling through the snorkel just before you reach the surface, purging the snorkel of water. Keep exhaling until your head has broken the surface and your head gets into the normal mask-down position, then breath normally. Viola: Completely clear snorkel tube!
Bob
I purchased the Tusa to replace my old US Diver Aqualung snorkel. I used it diving and snorkeling. It was not as good and I replaced it with a new Aqualung for my next trip. I also tried the new Atomic snorkel and it felt as good as the Aqualung (limited use trial).
Jake
I've tried many purge-type snorkels in my time spearfishing and freediving and I have found the old fashioned ones without purges the most reliable. As David Hull @ #6 described, you can get very good results with a little practice. Also, for spearfishing or even just observing fish, I've found the ones with purges are a bit too noisy.