Is renting snorkel equipment sanitary?

[NY Disney fan]

I'm debating whether or not to buy my own (which I really don't want to do) or rent. Is it sanitary to rent?

 

[martinm]

I guess that depends on how it is handled.

If you can spit in your mask to make it not fog up and nobody cleans it properly, I would say it is not sanitary.

That being said, I used loaners myself. If your concerned, a small sanitary alcohol wipe will make things nice and sanitary and is ALOT smaller than a mask snorkel and flippers.

 

[E ticket rider]

I'm debating whether or not to buy my own (which I really don't want to do) or rent. Is it sanitary to rent?

Yes, they sanitize the equipment between uses.

It's not all that different from using plates, flatware and cups in the restaurants. They wash and sanitize those items between uses as well.

At Castaway, there are large tubs full of sanitizing solution for the life vests as you exit pelican plunge. Cruise lines make every effort to keep items that multiple passengers touch/use as sanitary as possible. Illness can spread like wildfire on a ship and cruise lines are acutely aware of that.

 

[antlawn]

Don't know that I'd want equipment that unknown others have spit/breathed in/on. But, that's just me. Not sure how they "sanitize" them??

 

[kathie859]

I did an snorkeling trip in Maui this past March (cruising Holland America) and the vendor supplied the equipment, though a few people had their own. The masks and mouth pieces are disinfected between uses via a dip system into a disinfectant. I've used rented equipment another time in St. John's and it was the same thing. I'm a mid level germaphobe so it didn't bother me to use equipment that another person had used prior.

 

[truck1]

In the rental buildings are big bins of commercial sanitizers and rinse water. After each use they are dropped into the big tubs for a length of time then rinsed and hung to dry. I wouldn't worry about germs etc. I'd be more worried if the gear fit properly and was comfortable.

 

[NY Disney fan]

Ok good to know. Thank you everyone!

 

[cleophus12]

Don't know if you mean the cruise line's equipment or a vendor's equipment. To me it's worth the trouble of taking a hose and mouth piece in my luggage. That doesn't take up too much room. I'm not as worried about the rental mask and fins. When I see people throwing the sets into a tub, I wonder what's in the tub and how long it's been sitting there. Some vendors are conscientious about sanitizing, some maybe not so much. Do what you feel comfortable with.

 

[baleeve]

As a former dental hygienist and knowing the rise of HPV related oral cancer (Google it) and oral herpes- (sorry but think about it) I plan on bringing my own snorkel gear for me and my 2 children. Its inexpensive at Target or Wal-Mart. In fact, cheaper than a rental.

I booked air through Jet Blue so I can check 3 total bags (3 ticketed people) as to have the extra room to pack. My boys don't NEED their own suitcases but I will definitely be using them.

Just be safe, buy and bring your own.

PS its really NOT the same as utensils. They go through a very hot dishwasher and don't just soak in a germ ridden bath. And also they arent used like a snorkel mouth piece.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Ok good to know. Thank you everyone!

Sanitary, probably. Fit well and high quality?

Iffy.

I bring my own mask/goggles and fins. (Of course, my fin is 'special'. Anyway talk about propulsion!)

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/182923_123975791138013_395237943_n.jpg

If I want it not to leak and be good, I bring my own. That is the problem with renting. One size doesn't always fit...

Anyway now I've trained myself to ditch the mask and the snorkel and goggles are optional (if I want to see) so I'm getting closer to my goal of being aquatic!

 

[sippican]

We used loaners once, on an excursion to Stingray City. There was a big bucket of sanitizer onboard that the snorkels were dropped into it. I asked how often the bucket was dumped and the sanitizer replaced, and was met with silence and shrugged shoulders.
To those who compared it to dishwashing, I'm hopeful that dishwasher water is replaced and new detergaent added for each load, and there is a high heat sanitizer cycle. I don't think that happens with eqipment sanitizing. Many places now give you a new mouthpiece, and you rent or borrow the mask. I would not want to rely on a bit of hand sanitizer to clean the spit and whatever else from the mask interior.
We have our own masks and snorkels; forget the fins if you want to save space. I am not a germaphobe, but using something that has been in someone's mouth, or against their nose, then dipped in a bucket of who knows what kind of DNA soup - yuck!

 

[wcw57]

salt water has wonderful sanitizing properties....always rinse your equipment vigorously and use fingers to "scrub" contact areas...mucho mejor que nada!!

 

[CraftyMommy]

I think the answer to this question is a matter of opinion. Is using a toilet seat sanitary? Its a matter of opinion.

 

[baleeve]

I think the answer to this question is a matter of opinion. Is using a toilet seat sanitary? Its a matter of opinion.

WHAT??? Does you mouth touch the toilet seat?

Do you put paper on the toilet seat? I DO!

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Do you put paper on the toilet seat? I DO!

Teehee. On a side note, if you always abide by the "lay the TP on the seat" rule, you will never be "indisposed" when you realize the stall HAS NO TP!

A rule I live by.

 

[Mazz519]

Yes pretty much all snorkel and scuba companies in the Carribean sanitize their equipment between uses... Used to take our own stuff as well, but we are a family of 5 and its almost a piece of luggage just for all the masks fins and mouthpieces