What’s there to invent much on diving snorkels? Many companies have offered various solutions, such as different lengths, shapes, mouthpieces, materials, floating and non floating snorkels. C4 Carbon has somehow put all the best solutions in a snorkel, actually two, the Meltemi & Scirocco, once more astonishing for the determination and courage to innovate in all sectors of the diving world.
Meltemi & Scirocco snorkels: two lengths, same concept
The C4 Meltemi and C4 Scirocco snorkels are actually the same design with two different lengths. The main concept is the soft tube with a very flat section in the central area to perfectly position itself between the rear strap of the mask and the head of the diver. This determines perfect comfort and reduced vibrations of the snorkel during the dive.
The Meltemi is longer, indicatively 41 cm, considering only the tube without the mouthpiece. This snorkel is definitely the perfect solution for spearfishing in any sea condition. In fact, its length ensures that the terminal of the tube is well out of the water and away from the waves in most situations.
The C4 Scirocco is definitely shorter, around 34 cm, meaning easier and more efficient breathing. In fact, the reduced length of the tube generates less head loss and limits the quantity of “dirty air” in the tube during breathing. Additionally, a shorter snorkel limits its vibration when kept under the mask strap during the dive. Last, but not least, a shorter tube permits to enter in some holes in the rocks with limited risk of hitting them with the snorkel. Still, the C4 Scirocco adapts well with very calm sea and pool use, where of course waves do not risk to push water insude the lower terminal of the snorkel. With waves, the Scirocco is not the best choice.
Designed for better breathing
Connection mouthpiece to tube
The Meltemi and Scirocco are full of great technical solutions which we will go through one by one. But the key element is the design of the tube and mouthpiece to determine an amazingly reduced effort needed to breathe, especially in the exhaling phase.
The shape of the C4 snorkels is based on the laws of fluid dynamics. The internal section of the tube is equivalent to a 20 mm diameter circular section, considered the correct minimum value for the best and easiest passage of air during breathing. But this is not all! The passage from the ovoidal section of the mouthpiece to the ovoidal one of the tube, where the two sections are at 90° one to the other, has a special design. The transition between the two sections sees an increase in dimensions to avoid any turbulence of the fluid, be it water or air.
Tube exit terminal
Additionally, at the exit terminal of the tube of the C4 Meltemi & Scirocco the section changes from ovoidal to almost circular and increases its area. This permits the air or water to exit more easily from the tube, and reduces sensibly the effort requested to the diver in exhaling emptying the tube from the water at the end of the dive. There is a slight difference between the end profiles of the tubes of the two snorkels determined mainly by production needs.
Thanks in particular to these two elements of the designs, the connection mouthpiece to tube and the greater circular section of the tube terminal, the Meltemi and Scirocco reduce considerably the effort in breathing of the diver during dives, be them freediving or the long challenging spearfishing sessions.
Super elastic with differentiated hardness
Another key element of the C4 Meltemi and C4 Scirocco is the material used. This is a thermoplastic material with an elastic return rate of 100%, so the snorkels can be bent or squeezed, but they always return to their original shape.
The particularity of the design by C4 Carbon is that the matt area of the tube, which goes from the mouthpiece to 2/3 of the length of the tube, is in semi rigid material of 80 Sh hardness. The glossy surface, instead, is a softer solution of 50 Sh hardness. This softer part of the tube flexes in case of contact with rocks or other objects, without the risk of the snorkel moving the mask from the face of the diver.
The mouthpiece
The mouthpiece, already studied in an general article we published some time ago, of the C4 Meltemi & Scirocco is made in a light grey hypoallergenic silicone. Its design facilitates continued use while avoiding discomfort in the oral cavity. The two small internal inserts which position themselves between the teeth of the diver, are of good dimensions to generate a strong grip still keeping it comfortable. The teeth in fact bite a thinner area, while a thicker one remains internal between the teeth and the tongue.
The fins present both on the mouthpiece and the tube are made to reduce material during the production phase. The C4 Meltemi and Scirocco are available in two color versions: black and carbon fibre.
