FAQ
Q: Is the Kapitol Reef snorkel dry?
A: Yes. While the exhalation tube floods on every dive, the inhalation tube is always closed, (except briefly while inhaling) even at the surface. Even if you forgot to exhale slowly while surfacing to purge the exhalation tube, you can still inhale as normal at the surface and get fresh air. And we all love fresh air, do we not?
Q: Do I have to blast the Kapitol Reef snorkel at the surface?
A: No. In fact, if you try to it will be somewhat difficult. Our snorkel is designed to be purged while ascending, similar to what most swimmers do. Simply exhale slowly as you approach the surface and your air bubbles will naturally purge the exhalation tube easily. As an added benefit, bubbles are fun.
Q: Is there a purge valve at the bottom?
A: No. The membrane at the bottom is a pressure regulated chamber. This membrane uses the water's pressure to create resistance against the exhalation air passageway. Any excess water that enters the snorkel during a deep dive is to be expelled by slightly exhaling about 9 inches before surfacing above the water.
Q: What is pressure regulation?
A: Pressure regulation refers to the back pressure you feel when you exhale through the snorkel. We purposely designed the snorkel to very slightly slow down each exhalation with pressure to help maintain lung volume and establish a more regular breathing pattern in the water. For more information about this, click the following link: The Snorkel. Or google “beatboxing goat video”, that’s fun too. Seriously, do it.
Q: Why do I sometimes hear a gurgle after diving?
A: Occasionally, if all of the water isn’t purged from the exhalation tube correctly while ascending, a very small amount of water will gather at the bottom of the snorkel. Don’t worry – it’s impossible to inhale this water – it just makes a gurgling sound when you exhale across it. Simply pull the mouthpiece out of your mouth (at the surface, obviously) and turn it upside down to dump any residual water out – no need to take the snorkel completely off. The other option is to just clear it on the next dive! However, if you’re the type of person that enjoys blowing bubbles in your drink with a straw, feel free to go about your business. Don’t worry, we do too.
Q: Why is the Kapitol Reef snorkel bigger than most snorkels?
A: The Kapitol Reef snorkel utilizes 2 separate chambers for inhaling & exhaling to ensure you never rebreathe your own CO2 – which raises the heart rate, depletes oxygen levels in the air your breathe, and causes anxiety. These two separate chambers create a marginally larger diameter snorkel, but offer unique and key benefits not realized in smaller snorkels! Besides, who wants a little sissy snorkel full of your own breath? Especially if you ate sardines for lunch. Just saying.
Q: Is the Kapitol Reef snorkel safe for kids?
A: Absolutely! In fact, the Kapitol Reef snorkel benefits kids and all those with small lung capacities even more than average snorkelers! Smaller lungs are more vulnerable to both oxygen depletion from rebreathed CO2 and water pressure squeezing a proportionally larger amount of air volume from the lungs, which makes the Kapitol Reef snorkel that much more beneficial! Now that you have a masters degree in breathology, go impress your friends – or at least their kids.
Q: Will the Kapitol Reef snorkel allow me to breathe underwater when completely submerged?
A: Sadly, no. It is still a snorkel. However, you may begin to grow webbed fingers and toes from all the extra time you’ll be able to spend in the water. If this happens, send us pictures. We’d love to add it to our collection. And yes, we are asked that question all the time.
