ANATOMY OF A SNORKEL

A snorkel is a breathing tube which allows a person to take in air while their face is submerged in the water. The basic components of a snorkel is a breathing tube (bore), mouthpiece, flexible or fixed connector, and a snorkel keeper. A snorkel may have additional features which are designed to add more comfort factors for the user. These additional features on a snorkel can include, but are not limited to, a purge valve, replaceable mouthpiece, dry or semi dry top attachment and convenient quick release snorkel keeper. Here is a Snorkel Comparison Chart.

The breathing tube is usually available in two different sizes, one specifically for an adult the other specifically for a child. The bore of the kids snorkel is traditionally smaller in diameter than the bore size of the adult snorkel. The reason for the size differential is primarily due to lung volume differences between adults and kids. When breathing through a snorkel you have to breathe through what is called "dead air spaces". These are air spaces and both the snorkel and the human body where there is air, but that air is not being utilized. The snorkel tube is once such air space. When breathing through a snorkel, the user needs to inhale a little more deeply and exhale a little more forcefully to avoid rebreathing their exhalation. The picture of the anatomy is an Oceanic Ultra Dry Snorkel.