Snuba is a cross between snorkeling and scuba diving and gaining popularity in Hawaii.  Snuba allows you to be and breath underwater without having to be certified for scuba diving.  With snuba you breathe through mouthpiece that is connected to a hose that is attached to a scuba air tank.  The air tank sits on a raft that floats on the water above you.  The airline is 20 feet long, so you will be no further than 20 feet away from the raft. 

Snuba tour operators say that you don’t even have to know how to swim to enjoy snuba.  In fact they say it is for just about anyone over the age of eight.  The Star Bulletin has written an article showcasing snuba.  Kevin Cram, the owner of Snuba Tours of Kauai told the Star Bulletin that he “has welcomed grandparents in their 80s, children with life-threatening medical conditions and people with disabilities.”  The article talks about a 25 year old paraplegic who enjoyed a snuba tour. 

Offering snuba without being a certifed diver can create some potential problems.  In our Y-Scuba program we talk about potential lung injuries such as Barotrauma, Arterial Gas Embolism, Mediastinal Emphysema or Pneumothorax.  In addtion to lung injures, there can be sinus problems, off-gassing issues, and shallow water blackout.  I am sure other divers can add to this list (please do so).  I have also seen new divers panic in 15 feet of water during their open water dive, after 10 weeks of instruction.  Sending someone who, “doesn’t even have to know how to swim” into open water on snuba can create potential incidents.