Skill demonstration – Snorkel | Regulator Exchange

Today we will look at a skill that is useful for your PADI Divemaster or PADI IDC course, as it is part of the skill circuit that you are required to complete for both of these courses.
Getting comfortable with the skills require some practice and also to understand the intent of the skill: what it is meant to explain or make our students understand about diving?

Let’s look at the snorkel to regulator exchange. The performance requirement for this skill is as follow: exchange snorkel for regulator and regulator for snorkel repeatedly (at least two exchanges) without lifting the face from the water.

The aim of this skill is to get the students switching to one from another while having their head submerged, which can be useful in choppy surface conditions. It is also a good way to reinforce both methods for regulator clearing: purge and exhalation.

In order to demonstrate this skill, follow these steps:

• Stand in shallow water and put your face underwater after instructing your students to watch you.
• Take a couple of breaths from the snorkel. You can already hold the regulator in your right hand to make it easier.
• Remove the snorkel, show that you are blowing bubbles, then switch to the regulator and use the first clearing method.
• Take a couple of breaths and then remove the regulator, showing you are exhaling while switching again. Clearly show the students that you have to exhale a bit forcefully in the snorkel.
• Repeat this sequence one more time but using the second method for regulator clearing.

This skill is important to get your students comfortable with switching from one to another while protecting their airway when doing so, so that they do not swallow water or cough when switching.

During your PADI Divemaster course or your Instructor course you will practice this skill and hopefully these few tips will help you master it!