Snuba?

[JustStartin]

We'll be on the Carnival Legend, ports are Grand Cayman, Roatan, Belize and Cozumel. Does anyone have recommendations for "snuba" diving? And why?

 

Thanks for any help!

[xSandman3`]

Breathing compressed air at depth is dangerous without proper training, regardless of how safe someone tells you it is. Snuba and scuba are the same in this regard. Take a breath at 5 feet deep, hold it and surface, you can get seriously injured.

 

Get scuba certified so you fully understand and can manage the risks.

 

Dale

PADI OWSI

[scubaran]

Funny you should ask about snuba... The Divers Alert Network Organization just published an article about snuba in their March/April 2008 magazine. Below is an excerpt from it:

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A twist of technology

Another niche within the world of recreational diving is a technology called "Snuba," which represents a unique blend of more traditional snorkel and scuba technologies. In essence, the patented Snuba shallow-water diving system is a slight twist on the theme of standard open-circuit scuba equipment. Rather than affix the cylinder to the diver's back, it is secured within a small raft or pontoon at the surface, and a 20-foot (6-meter) low-pressure hose delivers air to the diver's second-stage regulator.

The idea of Snuba is to allow nondivers to safely experience the underwater world. This functions much like a resort course or "introduction to scuba" but without all the cumbersome gear. With a maximum ratio of four students per guide, a professional guide or instructor conducts Snuba dives. The 20-foot hose limits the depth of the dive, and surface conditions are limited to 2-foot (half-meter) seas to prevent the dangerous "marionette on a string" effect, which could occur during rough conditions.

The basic equipment used in the Snuba program is essentially snorkeling gear: mask, fins and snorkel, plus a snorkeling vest and weight belt. The business end of the regulator is secured to the diver via a harness. In addition, an extended high-pressure air hose with a submersible pressure gauge, or SPG, is provided to allow the instructor to monitor the student's air supply throughout the dive.

The Snuba experience begins with a roughly 15-minute orientation conducted either dockside before one heads out for the reef or on the boat. The experience typically includes a 25- to 50-minute guided tour of a reef. After the dive, the students receive a Snuba certificate of participation.

Wendy Hall of Tilden's Scuba in Marathon, Fla., says the Snuba program targets the nondiver who has neither the time nor the inclination to pursue a scuba certification course. "It's sort of an 'appetizer' for real scuba diving, and most learn quickly whether or not it's for them," Hall said. "We see a lot of people who just aren't sure they want to commit to diving come in and try this program; once they do, most of them decide to get certified."

Snuba is available to children ages 8 and older, but persons with diabetes or epilepsy are not allowed to participate. For diving parents who want to expose their kids to diving, the Snuba program provides an excellent introduction. Parents can scuba dive alongside their Snuba-diving kids.

Children and nondivers aren't the only ones who get turned on to Snuba. "For those who have back injuries or problems and can't tolerate the heavy gear," Hall explains, "Snuba provides a great way to continue diving."

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I'm just providing what DAN says. As such, I neither agree or disagree with the article. It's a personal choice for you.

 

Randall

[JustStartin]

Thanks for the info. Education is always helpful.

 

Does anyone know of a good place to try it at any of these ports? Someplace that does take safety into consideration, not just how many people can we get thru. Also that has a good area to see and at a decent price?

 

Thanks for any and all help!

[Royal24car]

We cruised on the Carnival Legend last May. We tried the snuba excursion in Grand Cayman. They spent a lot of time with orientation to make sure everyone was comfortable. It is true about holding your breath. They stress to you that you cannot hold your breath. They teach hand signals also. The guide will be in full scuba gear and is always checking on you. We had our two boys with us ages 28 and 15 - they loved the excursion. As I was worried about the 15 year old - turned out he was the one who did the best and probably got the most out of it. I struggled but I am sure it was because they had too much weight in my weight belt. All in all - if you pay close attention in orientation - you will enjoy the experience. It is not to be taken lightly.