Quick Highlights & FAQs
Quick Highlights
As the first of its kind, we hope to help you better understand why the Kapitol Reef snorkel is so different and what you can come to expect from it. We believe that our snorkel will greatly improve your snorkeling experience and change your perspectives on underwater breathing.
1) Exhalation Pressure:
The Kapitol Reef snorkel is the only snorkel ever designed to regulate exhalation pressure. A series of precision valves allow swimmers and divers to maintain physiologically correct pressures and optimize their lung function. Conventional snorkels force shallow panicked breathing that is both inconsistent and uncomfortable. The Kapitol Reef snorkel encourages deep, even breaths that support lung volumes, promote better gas exchange in the lungs and spare inhalation muscles from fatigue. Stay in the water longer with Kapitol Reef.
2) Dryness:
The Kapitol Reef snorkel is extremely dry with proper use. Simply apply a gentle exhalation pressure and the inhalation chamber will seal and stay dry during a dive. While this is very natural, it is also different from other “dry” snorkels. Conventional designs rely on a float valve and vacuum seal to maintain dryness and may flood if any exhalation takes place while submersed. After using the Kapitol Reef snorkel for a short while, you too will feel the great comfort and security that comes naturally from this improved approach to dryness.
3) Purge Operations:
Kaptiol Reef separates inhaled air from exhaled carbon dioxide. The exhalation tube is intentionally unprotected and will flood with single-breath dives. Don’t worry. This water will not get into the inhalation chamber and you will not breathe it. The water will exit with the next relaxed exhalation. There is no need to ever blast water out. Simply exhale normally while resurfacing, rather than waiting until you are on top. This technique allows you to take a breath immediately upon resurfacing and results in easier / quieter operation.
4) Gurgle:
As a result of separating exhaled air from inhaled air, a small gurgle can sometimes be heard during exhalation. Unlike threatening gurgles in other snorkels, Kapitol Reef’s exhalation gurgle actually confirms that the inhalation chambers are dry and that you will not breathe water. To minimize and/or eliminate this gurgle, simply perform the preferred purge operation while resurfacing, as described above.
5) Snag Free Clip:
To attach a mask to your Kapitol Reef snorkel, gently pull the clip outward at its lower end and slide the mask’s strap under its tabs. Do not remove the clip from the snorkel as this may weaken its attachment arms.
We are very confident in the Kapitol Reef snorkel. It has been proven in very harsh conditions and has been enthusiastically received by persons of all ages and experience levels. Kadence Technology, Inc. stands fully behind the integrity of this outstanding product.
Happy Snorkeling!
Frequently Asked Questions About the Kapitol Reef® Snorkel
The Kapitol Reef snorkel is unlike any other currently offered on the market. It is the culmination of a five-year engineering effort that has resulted in a truly revolutionary product capable of overcoming some common and sometimes dangerous realities in the sport of snorkeling.
As the first of its kind, we hope to help you better understand why the Kapitol Reef snorkel is so different, as well as what you can come to expect from it. We believe that our snorkel will change the way you snorkel, as far as comfort, confidence and overall performance.
To insure that the Kapitol Reef snorkel holds up to your highest expectations, please read our frequently asked questions below. You may discover something new about the Kapitol Reef snorkel that will further display its benefits. If your question is not answered below, please email us at feedback@kaptitolreef.com.
Questions:
- I notice a small pressure pushing back when I exhale into this snorkel. What does this mean?
- I have seen other dual tube snorkels. They flooded easily and never seemed to work very well. Is Kapitol Reef any different?
- Is my snorkel safe in rough water?
- I don't like dry snorkels because they suck my tongue into them when I dive. What does the Kapitol Reef snorkel do?
- My Kapitol Reef snorkel makes a gurgling sound when I exhale. Is this normal?
- My snorkel is too buoyant when I scuba dive, so it floats around my mask. What can I do about that?
- This snorkel is a little wider than some others. Do you have a size that fits children?
- How do I attach my mask to the Kapitol Reef snorkel?
- How do I become a Kapitol Reef Dealer?
- Q: I notice a small pressure pushing back when I exhale into this snorkel. What does this mean?
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A: This pressure is intended. This slight positive end-exhalation pressure (PEEP) can actually help your overall breathing for several reasons:
1) PEEP promotes better gas exchange between the alveolar air sacs and the bloodstream. This allows for deeper and slower breaths, creating an ideal breathing situation for people in the water.
2) Kapitol Reef is unique in its ability to give your inhalation muscles more time to rest during each breathing cycle. Adding PEEP slows the exhalation cycle, reduces the number of inhalations per minute, and eliminates the recruitment of inhalation muscles at the end-phase of exhalation. All of this combines to decrease the work on the inhalation muscles, which therefore supports greater lung volumes and reduces snorkel panic.
- Q: I have seen other dual tube snorkels. They flooded easily and never seemed to work very well. Is Kapitol Reef any different?
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A: The Kapitol Reef™ snorkel works where others fail for several reasons. The underlying pressure of our Kadence Technology™ results in extremely dry operation. We simply do not have the flooding problems that others have. In fact, the Kapitol Reef snorkel is the driest snorkel ever invented. Other dual tube designs often have to be purged twice after flooding. We also put extreme care into our valve system. Our patent-pending inhalation valve has features that make it extremely easy to breathe across. When you compare this to others, you will find a huge improvement in your performance.
- Q: Is my snorkel safe in rough water?
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A: Rough water can always be dangerous. However, whereas other dry cap snorkels often flood if exhaling while under the water, the Kapitol Reef snorkel does just the opposite. You can literally porpoise into the waves, grabbing a quick inhalation while on top and then exhaling while the waves come crashing overhead. The snorkel has 100% auto-purge efficiency with every exhalation. Therefore, if you find yourself in rough water, the Kapitol Reef snorkel will provide better protection to you than any other.
- Q: I don't like dry snorkels because they suck my tongue into them when I dive. What does the Kapitol Reef snorkel do?
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A: Unlike other dry snorkels, the Kapitol Reef dry snorkel does not become a source of negative pressure at depth. On the contrary, it is designed to equilibrate pressures. Therefore, Kapitol Reef does not have this problem. Furthermore, you may notice that it helps relieve pressure against the eardrums and sinuses while diving.
- Q: My Kapitol Reef snorkel makes a gurgling sound when I exhale. Is this normal?
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A: Unlike other snorkels, a gurgle in the Kapitol Reef snorkel actually means that you will not breathe water with your next inhalation. Think of it as a confirmation that the inhalation chambers are dry. You may reduce or nearly eliminate the gurgle if you practice the suggested displacement technique: while resurfacing from your dive, simply allow exhaled air to naturally exit your lungs, rather than trying to blast the water out of the exhalation channel. Try it. It works!
- Q: My snorkel is too buoyant when I scuba dive, so it floats around my mask. What can I do about that?
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A: The Kapitol Reef snorkel traps air within its chambers while diving. Many people like this feature, as it helps keep it afloat if accidentally dropped in the water. However, with scuba diving, this may be a different issue. To prevent this, simply turn the snorkel upside down or sideways to allow air to exit through the mouthpiece.
- Q: This snorkel is a little wider than some others. Do you have a size that fits children?
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A: Unlike other adult-sized snorkels, your child may use the Kapitol Reef snorkel. Ordinary adult-sized snorkels are typically unsuitable for children who have smaller lungs. However, the Kapitol Reef snorkel does not result in any extra re-breathing of air. Also, the dryness is perfect for children. Our experience is that children, properly trained and observed for safety reasons, do well with this snorkel from about age 6 or 7 on up. They do quite well with its soft mouthpiece. A benefit of the modestly increased size is a much more comfortable fit against the head.
- Q: How do I attach my mask to the Kapitol Reef snorkel?
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A: To attach a mask to your Kapitol Reef snorkel, gently pull the Snag-Free Clip outward at its lower end and slide the mask’s strap under its tabs. Do not remove the clip from the snorkel as this may weaken its attachment arms.
- Q: How do I become a Kapitol Reef Dealer?
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A: If you interested in retailing the Kapitol Reef snorkel, we invite you to take the first step with us by filling out the Dealer Application online. We will review your application and respond promptly to you. Upon becoming active, you will have full access to dealer pricing, online ordering, and dealer support.