Snuba vs Scuba: What’s the Difference?

Going to the beach for a vacation is fun, especially when there are varieties of water sports and activities waiting for you to take on. When there’s joy in surfing above the water’s surface, there’s bliss in exploring the sea below.

Among the popular underwater sports are snorkeling and Scuba diving. However, another activity that’s lesser known but just as exciting to try out is Snuba Diving.

If you haven’t heard of it, you might wonder: what’s that? Well, this article will discuss Snuba diving and the differences between Snuba vs Scuba.

Snorkeling + Scuba = Snuba

It’s not much of a math equation, but Snuba diving is often known as the activity that you’ll get when you combine Scuba and snorkeling into one. In all three, you’re given a chance to explore the underwater world.

Nonetheless, what are their definitions as individual categories of sport?

Snorkeling

Snorkeling is a traditional practice of swimming along or on the water while equipped with a diving mask, a snorkel, and swimfins. However, there are times when wearing a wetsuit is required if you’ll be swimming in cold water.

The diving mask has the purpose of letting you clearly see the wonders in the sea, ocean, or lake. Meanwhile, the swimfins help you control your movement while wafting. Lastly, the snorkel serves as the breathing tube that helps you breathe underwater.

Snorkeling doesn’t give you the chance to dive since the top tip of the tube mustn’t submerge with you. Instead, you’ll have to swim near the surface because the air you breathe depends on the air on land.

Even if this is the case, snorkeling can still allow you to enjoy underwater attractions and meet colorful sea creatures.

Scuba Diving

Scuba diving is a widely used term for underwater diving. However, it’s actually  short for “Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus.” This pertains to using independent breathing equipment while exploring the ocean’s depths.

The equipment usually refers to the regulator and cylinder/s found on the diver’s back. This tank contains compressed gasses that will allow the Scuba diver to breathe underwater without depending on surface-level air.

While it requires more and heavier equipment than the former, Scuba diving will give you the freedom to see underwater beauty for a more extended period.

Snuba

Snuba is an underwater swimming activity that pushes the limits of snorkeling and levels it with Scuba, without becoming exactly like the latter.

It does this by allowing you to dive underwater but without the problem of carrying around heavy equipment. Instead, you’ll have a regulator connected to a long hose for you to be able to receive a supply of compressed air from the surface.

Snuba is also the acronym for “Surface Nexus Underwater Breathing Apparatus.” Since this sport lets you try diving a few feet deeper with a supporting harness, it makes the perfect activity for a beginner diver.

Snuba and Scuba Similarities

Snuba is bound to have some resemblances with Scuba diving since it continuously brands itself as a combination of the two underwater activities.

Some of Snuba and Scuba’s similarities include:

• Needing to fill up a medical form ahead of everything else
• Attending a short demonstration before setting toward the destination
• Using a regulator system for the breathing equipment
• Requiring exposure suits or wetsuits
• Using masks, weight belts, and dive fins
• Being able to submerge yourself deeper and explore more of the underwater
• Not needing to continuously come back to the surface for air
• Serving as a good work-out activity
• Being fun leisure activities to do on summer vacations

Snuba vs Scuba Differences

The similarities between Snuba and Scuba are limited since the differences actually lie within the resemblances.

Gear and Equipment

As stated in their similarities, there are gears and equipment that both activities need. However, one sport tends to have more gear than the other.

While Scuba needs tanks on the diver’s back for air storage and supply, Snuba has an inflated floating raft that holds the air cylinders instead.

A standard raft can accommodate two divers, while the quad raft can cater to four participants. With this, the air will be delivered to you through a long air hose.

Snuba also has a harness that should always be present around divers. This strap holds onto the regulator and is connected to the raft via the long hose.

Even though Scuba doesn’t have a harness and a hose, the sport has more equipment that Snuba doesn’t need. This includes:

• Dive computer
• Scuba tank
• Scuba Buoyancy Control Device (BCD)
• Scuba gauge
• Dive knife

Training and Diving Certification

Training is required in both Scuba and Snuba diving.

You’ll have to be aware of what you can expect with the activities (what you’ll see, what you need to do, how deep you can dive) before the divers in charge can let you join them in exploring underwater. This will assure you of not only a fun experience but a safe one, as well.

Despite the similarities, they differ in the amount and duration of training needed.

In Snuba, the training is usually brief and mainly consists of reminders and breathing warm-ups. This can take up to 15-20 minutes before you can proceed to the Snuba destination.

In Scuba, the training takes a lot more time since you have to be familiar with everything about the activity, from gears and gas introduction to safety and technicalities.

You’ll be able to earn a certificate after undergoing this training, which will serve as your license to finally be able to Scuba dive in open water.

Age Requirement and Experience

Children as young as six years old can apply to the Snuba Doo program. In this program, they wear an adjustable floatation vest with an air hose of only 10 feet or less. This keeps them within the distance of the adult divers that may assist them.

Meanwhile, the age restrictions in Scuba diving are often up for debate. The youngest that a Scuba instructor can teach is eight years old; however, that’s before a child can enjoy Scuba diving in open water.

Before diving alone in open water, children must undergo the same training as adult beginner Scuba divers and receive a junior certification afterward.

Thus, both activities welcome beginning divers with open arms.

With Scuba, you don’t have to be an expert diver immediately. It only emphasizes experience over everything else. Snuba, however, is a more accessible activity to all ages regardless of experience.

Diving Depth

The depth that you can reach usually depends on the equipment used for individual activities.

With Snuba, you’re equipped with an air hose that’s 20 feet long. Therefore, you’ll also be able to dive at least 20 feet deep.

In Scuba, you can dive a few feet deeper than 20 since you’re not bound to a hose. The deepness you can reach depends on the tank size you’ll use and how much air it has.

If you’re a beginner with a standard tank of 80 cubic feet, you can do a recreational dive of at least 40 feet or less in 40 to 60 minutes before the need to ascend.

Safety

Safety is always the priority in these two sports. However, there are still risks that are sometimes impossible to avoid.

That’s why in Snuba, you’ll always have a Snuba guide with you throughout the whole experience. They’ll make sure to tell you what to expect and will continuously check on your equipment before and during the dive.

In Scuba diving, you have the choice to join a group with a Scuba instructor or go Scuba diving solo. Though not always, going solo can heighten the possibility of risks you can encounter. This is the reason why it’s always better to have a diving buddy so that you can always check on each other.

Scuba also increases your chance of experiencing decompression sickness. To avoid this, it’s essential to know your time and depth limits when Scuba diving.

Do I Need to Know How to Swim Before Snuba Diving?

Some people get the misconception that learning how to swim before Snuba diving is not as important as learning how to dive. This could be because snorkeling isn’t very strict with non-swimmers, unlike Scuba. It’s also easier to stay afloat with the help of flotation devices.

With Snuba, however, you’re in a less shallow body of water than snorkeling. Though it isn’t as intimidating as Scuba, knowing how to swim will give you the benefit of enjoying the activity to its fullest.

Even if this doesn’t require you to be the strongest swimmer, having a swimming experience before Snuba diving is recommended.

Can I fly in an Airplane After Snuba Diving?

Decompression sickness is a problem you might encounter if you decide to fly immediately after Scuba diving.

With Snuba, this problem remains possible. Yes, you don’t have the air supply behind you, but you’re still breathing compressed gasses through the hose, making you just as vulnerable to the risk of decompression illness.

This is why there’s still a wait time imposed before going to a higher altitude. Four to six hours may do if you really need to travel after. However, it’s always best to wait around 24 hours to ensure safety after the Snuba dive.

Wrapping Up

As Snuba diving makes its way to popularity, comparing it to its parental sports will help you decide if the activity is for you.

For instance, if you want to push the limits of snorkeling but don’t want to take on the pressure of Scuba diving, then you’ll be able to enjoy Snuba diving!