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Sean, > You are arguing about an event that can not conceivably occur >if your dive is properly planned. How long have you been wreck diving? >I have been on the surface for >2 hours in heavy >seas during a search operation, and that time was spent on my back Was what you were searching for in the water or in the sky? >First off, keeping your head out of water should not require >any effort at all. How much swimming have you done? >there is no way that you should >encounter hypothermia at the surface. Ever heard of a torn suit or a blown seal? How much wreck diving DO you do? >Death - as I mentioned in a previous message, Charles Darwin was right. ". . . every man must judge for himself between conflicting, vague probabilities." CD Yes he was. >I would much rather it blow across my face than into a >snorkel that I happen to be breathing through. If, as you say, you never use a snorkel, I guess I can excuse this bit of absurdity. Ask a friend how they work--especially something newer than a 1975 model. Can you say, "clear"? >I can only speak for Canadian operations, but we do not use snorkels in >water rescue here. I could be crude here and say, "somehow this doesn't surprise me," but I'll buck the trend. <g> I have nothing but the greatest respect for those who risk their lives in the sea rescuing others. If the Canadian Navy and rescue folks in their wisdom choose not to use helicopters or snorkels, then I respect that. On the other hand, the USCG and Navy Seals assigned to American craft still primarily use a mask, snorkel, vest and wetsuit for their in-water rescue operations as far as I know--any input by US pros would be appreciated. An AGA would not be my first choice when jumping out of a helicopter to a rescue in high seas--but I'm not a pro, just an observer. And the hoses would be a bitch! Talk about entanglement. Just how _would_ you swim to a swamped craft with debris in the water wearing an AGA? I don't use a snorkel when cave diving, never have, never will, but I can see how a wreck diver _might_ find one useful when blown off a wreck. And that seems, from what I have seen over the years, always a real possibility, regardless of planning, which is why they also carry lift bags for deco in the open ocean, or is this unnecessary too if you "plan more efficiently?" Plan rationally for the worst case scenario and you won't be left with your ass hanging out. All the best, JoeL
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