Snorkel for upside down swimming

[Mermaid Jaffa]

Hi!

Wondering if there is such a thing as a snorkel for swimming upside down?

Upside down swimming is swimming backwards underwater, facing the surface.

[AptaMer]

Just so you know, Mermaid Jaffa, nobody does this.

What people usually do is swim upside down just below the surface, no more than a metre, usually just underneath.

If you have no snorkel, then you come to the surface to take a breath through your mouth.

If you have a conventional snorkel, you surface and roll over so that the snorkel rolls over the top. Rolling over in that direction makes it so you can clear the snorkel effortlessly. Then you take a breath and roll over again while you submerge.

There are a couple of reasons why a snorkel sticking up when you're upside down is a bad idea.

1. Water will inevitably slosh over the top of the tube and when you're upside down there's a big chance of aspirating some water
2. When you're on your back your lungs are at significant depth relative to the surface. This means you have to breathe against the water pressure difference, and you will find your chest will get very tired

[Mermaid Jaffa]

Oh ok. Thanks for the info! I will have to practice and see if there is a way where I don't have stop to a stand still, take a breath and dive back under.

I do like to dive to the bottom of the pool. The view is quite refreshing, looking up through the clear water. I don't look at swimmers' submerged underparts if that's what people are thinking... I just like looking back at the surface from the depths. It also beats looking at the crap at the bottom of the pool!

[AptaMer]

You might get some good ideas watching these backstrokers swimming upside down underwater

http://youtu.be/LhzbOBEzYQU