A purge valve is a feature commonly found at the bottom of a snorkel that allows a snorkeler or diver to easily clear any water that may have entered the snorkel tube.
The purge valve works by allowing the snorkeler to exhale sharply into the snorkel, which forces any water out of the tube through the valve. The valve typically consists of a one-way flap or mechanism that opens when the snorkeler exhales, and closes when they stop exhaling, preventing any water from entering the tube.
Purge valves are particularly useful in choppy or rough water conditions, where waves and splashing can easily cause water to enter the snorkel. They can also be helpful for divers who are descending or ascending in the water, as pressure changes can sometimes cause water to enter the snorkel.
The purge valve is a simple but effective feature that can help snorkelers and divers to maintain clear and comfortable breathing while in the water.
Here at Oceansports, we stock only the highest quality snorkels, all of them will feature a purge valve, unless you are buying a simple J-style snorkel for freediving or spearfishing.
Check our snorkel range here!