Snorkel Vest Vs. Ski Belt

Waterlily · Post by **Waterlily** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 5:10 pm

I haven't snorkeled in 15 + years,am an asthmatic, and not as strong a swimmer as I use to be. Would I be better off with a vest or a ski belt?

Thank you for your suggestions !

Nancy · Post by **Nancy** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 5:37 pm

I also have asthma and not a super strong swimmer. Last year I used a snorkel vest and was very pleased with it. Honestly I don't think I really needed it that much but I just felt more secure with it. Plus it made me very easy for my family to spot and protected my back from the sun!

Waterlily · Post by **Waterlily** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 5:47 pm

Nancy,

Did you bring your own vest or rent one for the week?
Also, what type of snorkel worked best for you?

Waterlily

waterguy · Post by **waterguy** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 7:02 pm

A belt is easier to use and you don't get rubbed raw

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 8:54 pm

We have two guys in our group that use vests. Big Red is uncomfortable with water over his head and loves his vest. Pat is very fit and probably has 4% body fat - he does not float at all. Both of these guys like their vests.

We rented a belt at Crabby's for my youngest in March and it worked great for her. Halfway through the week she was confident without it.

Cheers, RickG

Nancy · Post by **Nancy** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 11:15 pm

Waterlilly,
I ordered my vest from snorkelmart.com and also ordered a Rx mask for my very near-sighted husband. We were both very happy with the quality of the merchandise. As for the vest I got the kind that buckles in front, not the type that fits around your neck(the ones around your neck look like they might be uncomfortable) The snorkel itself was just a regular cheapie!

cypressgirl · Post by **cypressgirl** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 11:19 pm

Belts!!!

cptnkirk · Post by **cptnkirk** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:20 am

One thing about belts. My buddy is not a very good swimmer and brought a belt. He wore it around his waist and his head would go to far down for his snorkel and kept getting water in it. Moved it up around his chest and no more problems. Just a thought if ya have this problem as it took us awhile to figure this out.

susan & herb · Post by **susan & herb** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 7:19 am

I tried the vest the first time at Trunk and found it most uncomfortable. I am not a good swimmer as I have mentioned. Rented a belt the last two times we were down and really think it is the way to go. You feel very secure and you can move around where I felt the vest was very constricting.

Can't wait to see my ticker!!!!!

chrisn · Post by **chrisn** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 12:31 pm

My son is 10 and although a strong swimmer, I still insist he have some sort of floating aid when we are in deeper water. He HATES the vests. We are going to try the belt for him in June. He doesn't want that either but he's getting it anyway. Still in mom mode here.

I use a noodle once in a while. I like them.

sea-nile · Post by **sea-nile** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 12:41 pm

I vote for belts too. My son did great with one.

Teresa_Rae · Post by **Teresa_Rae** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 12:50 pm

I vote for a belt. I’m a fairly strong swimmer but I prefer to snorkel in a leisurely manner so I usually use a belt. I gave my sister a belt and she liked it too (and she pretty much can’t swim at all without some kind of flotation device).

shoemak38 · Post by **shoemak38** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 12:51 pm

Now that our trip is getting closer, the planning (arguing with teenagers) has started; my wife and two girls did their paperwork for passports on Saturday (only 4-6 week wait).
Not doing a boat trip this time (I lost).

Plan to do a lot of snorkeling Waterlemon here I come!
What is the plus / minus of T-shirts vs. a rash-guard shirt (15year old daughter said she would not hear one)?
My 11 year old is a strong swimmer how do noodles work vs a vest or belt

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 1:34 pm

My 10 year old opted for a large t-shirt vs. a swim shirt for part of our recent trip. She would not say, but I expect that the swim shirt was a tad form fitting for her modesty. She has light skin, so must wear something. This was a Lands End shirt. Something heavy might drape better.

Cheers, RickG

engarom · Post by **engarom** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 5:37 pm

I am a pretty good swimmer but very muscular so its a struggle for me to stay at the surface. I have used the noodle and the belt but all my muscle is in my chest and arms so still struggle. Well one day I was talking to a friend of mine and he suggested a water ski vest!
I bought a very thin competiton water ski vest and I will never go back to the noodle! It fits like a second skin and keeps my chest and arms closer to the surface. I now snorkel for hours and if I get tired i can just lay back and relax.

usvi-on-line