Abstract: An electrically-powered, diver-borne air compressor is used with a draw-type snorkel to supply air from above the surface to a swimmer. The use of a non-positive displacement compressor--e.g. a blower--allows a shallowly submerged swimmer to breathe through the apparatus when the motor is turned off, which provides extended battery life. The compressor is selected to provide an adequate volume of air to a diver submerged at the depth limit set by the length of the flexible air conduit leading from the surface to his/her mouthpiece. In the simplest embodiment of the invention, the excess air supplied to a less deeply submerged diver is vented through an exhaust valve. In other embodiments, which offer improved operational efficiency at the cost of greater complexity, this otherwise excess air is stored in a tank. When the tank becomes full the compressor is turned off (either manually or automatically) until the stored air is exhausted.