Quick question regarding need for knives when snorkeling.
I do indeed understand the need for a good quality diving knive when scuba diving (essential piece of gear), but what about snorkeling? Would one ever find themselves in need of a knife whilst snorkeling??? Does anyone have a scenario (or experience) they might share regarding the need to be knife-strapped while snorkeling? Also, does anyone recommend a particular quality manufacture of dive knife which offers a reliable quick-release sheath mechanism (one you don't have to struggle with)and quality sheath and strapping materials?
Any assistance will be most helpful as we're planning a trip to Caye Caulker this March.
Thanx in advance,
Jeraldo~

Their is a relatively new trend in diving to not use a knife, divers are using scissors. I'm very serious even tho it does sound a little humorous. I was decided by some that a knife had a macho image that the dive community was trying to get away from and scissors where thought to be even more effective at getting a diver out of trouble even more effectively than a knife.
Dive Scissors in a nylon holders are showing up on BC's all over the world .
check it out.
http://www.scuba.com/scuba-gear-118/Knives-Shears---Accessories.html

Elbert - course you are so right. The Dive Training Magazine I am now reading (old copy) also talks about "snips."
And for the life of me I can't imagine the need for a knife snorkeling - no kelp - no abalone. About the only thing you might need to cut is some fishing line.

A bit of sick humor = having trained in the kelp forests of northern California they drilled into us to NEVER - EVER - CUT KELP TO FREE YOURSELF FROM A TANGLE. Kelp is the same size and feels exactly like your air line. You got the picture?

The scissors used are medical snips, available from a dive shop for quite a lot of money or a pharmacy for just a dollar or two.

When diving here I usually carry a small folding knife in a pocket, though occasionally I forget it. In my eight years of diving here I have never needed to use a knife underwater. I can't visualise a time when a snorkeller might need one.

When diving in cold water I always carry two knives, but again small folding ones. The old idea of strapping a large knife to your calf is passé, both because of the macho image and because the knife itself becomes a hazard and a prime cause of entanglement. And also because it's completely the wrong place to carry a knife.

IMO Harriette is completely right in advocating extreme care when using a knife. You should never cut anything you cannot easily see and feel. If necessary, take off your gear to inspect and access it more effectively.

In my entire diving career (thousands of dives) I have used a knife to help disentangle myself on just ONE occasion, and that was to cut away monofilament fishing line on a deep wreck.

If you're concerned about carrying safety equipment, take a bright orange safety sausage, a small flashlight, a mirror, and an extra-loud whistle. Forget the knife. And tell (responsible) people where you're going and when you expect to get back.

One time I needed a knife when I was attacked by a hungry turtle in search of marshmellows.

You needed to cut open the pack of marshmallows quickly?

you guys are funny!

The only time I've needed a knife, I had one with me but couldn't get to it and wouldn't have known what to cut if I could have reached it (down on my calf). My first stage was completely entangled with monofilament on a night dive in a cold mountain lake. Fortunately for me, a divemaster (not my divemaster) happened across me and cut me loose.

I went to carrying the snips on my bcd. I've been through about 3 sets of them, never used any of them, but they would eventually rust out at the hinge. Now I just don't bother. That said, same as anything of that nature . . . "you don't need insurance, until you need it and then you need it bad".

Lots of our dive equipment is redundant and lots of our dive practices are not necessarily designed to save ourselves, but to be able to save our buddy (or another diver). Maybe I will rethink carrying my snips and put a pair back on my bcd.

Thanx for all the super responses! As a newbie to snorkeling I've been moderately paranoid about biting and stinging creatures of the ocean (my neurosis I know) and just wanted to be best prepared whilst splashing about in the Caribe. This is the first I've heard of shears used as gear, but as a snorkeler suspect they would be of as little use to me as the knife. I do respect creatures I cross the path of and have no intention of touching, poking, grabbing, fondeling, etc... But it begs to inquire, what is the general concensus regarding the handling of rays and sharks as is evidently popular with trippers to shark ray alley (?). I'd like to avoid the "ugly American" stereotype if at all possible.
Thanx again - in advance...

Thanx....

Jeraldo, if you are worried about stinging and such, whilst snorkelling, make sure you are wearing a full skin suit. Sometimes there are little stingy things in the water, that are often not visible. Also, if you do accidentally brush up against something in the water, you will be protected that way as well.

Personally, I'm against the handling of the rays and sharks, but it has long been the practice at Shark Ray Alley and a few other places. If you choose to indulge yourself, then make sure that the dive guide has control of the shark or ray before you follow the guides instructions with regard to that touching or stroking. Do not go around pulling tails or fins.

Have a good trip.

I kinda' suspected that particular response seachell. I understand that the tourist industry has an immense impact upon the Cayes, and in such, it's not advisable (economically) to discourage tourists from participation in (relatively) anti-environmental activities as "touchy-feely" activities with the native creatures of the sea (or land for that matter). I've been researching our March trip over the past 2 months, read 2 books I purchased from Amazon.com about the Cayes, and am still quite troubled with my inherent desire to snorkel among a multitude of creatures with whom I desire to reach out to and touch. I have absolutely no desire to grab ahold of a ray or shark solely for the "kodak moment" photo op, However, I can't deny that I won't want to touch or stroke a shark or ray if one passes within reach. My experiences (snorkeling)last year at Isla de Mujeres, and Cozumel, were absolutely deplete of any such opportunities to interact with such magnificant creatures as are found amongst the reef systems of Belize, and I fear I'll be tempted to interact given the opportunity.
If you have any additional suggestions or warnings we might heed regarding our trip to the Caye and our intentions to kayak and swim about the reef each day, please feel free. We intend to spend 2 weeks renting kayaks, swimming about the reef systems solo, searching for private spots to pull our kayaks ashore (isles)to lunch, and eventually head back before sunset to explore Caye Caulker's nightlife, please feel free to chime-in, we appreciate your advice. BTW: we have yet to commit to lodging and are willing to go no higher than $40./US / night (is that an insane expectation for the high season of March on Caye Caulker?)?.
Thanx again for your input SS,
Jerry and Connie~

There are some at that price but expect backpackers inn type of accommodation, like one bath/toilet shared by other rooms.
40. gets a 'Hostel' type of accommodation.

Hey Elbert~
Thanx for the advice. I read somewhere, I think in one of my Cayes travel books, that "Raul's Rooms", located on the corner of the back street (also called Avenda Mangle and Traveler Palm) might be able to accomodate travelers for under $40./U.S., and they apparently have refrigerators, priv. bathroom, and ceiling fans in their rooms (?). I wonder if anyone else has heard of Raul's rooms?. Anywho, if Raul reads this I hope he (or she) responds as I'm very interested.

Thanx again Elbert~

Elbert may not be fully up to date on our accomodations. On this board many good people from San Pedro respond to help folks out. CC people don't post here as often. We have lots of nice places to stay with private bath under BZ$80. Things are a bit slow now and you can even come without res and find a room or Apt in that range.If you help out the high school-Ocean Academy- you can get free windsurf lessons and good advice from the teachers who are local family.
The kayaks come with no anchor because you need a ticket to stop with a boat of any size in the Reef Reserve and anchor.Perhaps you should write the kayak places like Chocolate with your plan.