Help with non-swimmer - HELP!

Ms.Montana · Post by **Ms.Montana** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:32 pm

Next January we are taking friends of ours to St. John. He swims every day and is excited to get snorkeling. She is terrified of water. If she can't touch to bottom she freaks. We are going to work with her over the next 10 months. In the pool we are going to try a noodle and hope she gets to where she can "trust the noodle"! If we get that accomplished we'll try a snorkel mask. She really wants to snorkel but I can tell she's terrified! Our motto for this trip is "TRUST THE NOODLE". Any other suggestions to help her along? Thanks!

flip-flop · Post by **flip-flop** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:42 pm

Trust the noodle and snorkel vest. The vest made my friend who is not a great swimmer but not terrifed MUCH more comfortable.

Once he got distracted by the sealife he was like a fish.

Marcia (Mrs. Pete) · Post by **Marcia (Mrs. Pete)** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:43 pm

I am not a great swimmer and have been known to get terrified when I cannot touch the bottom, too. Forget the noodle. Rent a belt for her. She will be able to go as far out as she wants but not be concerned having to hold onto the noodle. Loose the noodle, panic, not good.

They can be rented at Low Key. For me, it's worth it to look a little geeky with a swim belt on and be able to snorkel. Otherwise, I'm just sitting on the beach hearing about all of the cool things that I'm missing.

loria · Post by **loria** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 1:14 pm

a snorkel vest or a swim belt--If she gets comfortable using a noodle thats good, but i would rely on the first two for more safety.
Also, how about some lessons in a local pool?

Exit Zero · Post by **Exit Zero** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 1:16 pm

I second the 'ski-belt' suggestion- I have found it to be so unobtrusive and easy to adapt to that it is always my 1st choice for non swimmers or anyone who wants to snorkel for a long time and not get tired.

sea-nile · Post by **sea-nile** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 1:26 pm

The swim belt worked great for my son who was a non-swimmer 2 years ago. You would have never known that he could not swim. He snorkeled for hours.

VaGirl · Post by **VaGirl** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 1:30 pm

Please tell your friend she HAS to get a ski belt...I'm not a swimmer and on my 1st few trips to STJ, I sat on the beach and watched everyone else out there snorkeling. During SOTBI my trip-mates encouraged me to put on the belt, get out there and see what I was missing. Now I snorkel every trip as much as I can. I just wear the thing when we're out just floating around chatting and drinking!! I trust myself so much in that belt I probably go some places I shouldn't. She just needs to make sure she has a buddy around. The noodles are great, too. I even used a kickboard that 1st time. Seriously, it will make all the diffence and she will miss so much if she doesn't try.

Chet · Post by **Chet** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 1:32 pm

Bring the Blue-Floaty-Thing from the pool.

waterguy · Post by **waterguy** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 1:34 pm

As far as the mask and snorkel goes my sister couldn't put one on the first trip she is very clostrphobic "sp" her kids kept telling her she was missing so much. for the next trip she would put the mask on and watch tv then she would add the snorle next she practiced them in the bath tub. Her first snorkle she started to cry thinking she missed this for so long.

djmom · Post by **djmom** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 2:12 pm

I think it is great that she wants to participate in snorkeling!

But is she a true non swimmer? I cant imagine that a snorkle belt would be enough unless she is going to snorkle right near shore, where she can pretty much stand up or get there quickly.

Am I crazy? If I were a non swimmer I would want something that is not going to come off no matter what, that is belted on and loops on like a vest and hooks between the legs.

I think of the belts as something that gives a swimmer or snorkeler added comfort/flotation/reassurance, or for a weak swimmer who might get tired. I don't see that as an option for a non swimmer.

But what do I know. I would condsider talking with someone who really knows about this (like a reputable company or someone experienced in training folks)to see what they recommend.

??? am I crazy?

ps. I agree with the others, no way is a noodle enough. she sees a barracuda, she is going to freak. I do like the idea of a noodle as something to hold in front of her though (in addition to flotation device)

chicagoans · Post by **chicagoans** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 2:13 pm

Yes yes yes to the snorkel vest and lessons! Swim lessons are so important for anyone who is going to be anywhere near the water, even if they aren't planning on going in. She can take snorkel lessons too, to get comfortable with the breathing. (Check your local park district or dive shop.)

At the risk of stating the obvious... start with snorkeling from the shore before you try a boat trip. My son is like a fish, LOVES the water, but we still need to get him out snorkeling from shore first before we throw him off a boat. (OK we don't really throw him.) Once he's been out snorkeling from shore, he's much happier getting off the boat to snorkel later in the week.

Snorkeling from shore really lets you ease into it. Of course the danger is that you start following something really cool, and before you know it you're out further than you thought. That's why the vest, lessons, and a buddy close by are so important. And hey to you buddies -- make sure for your own safety that your friend has some kind of flotation device. A panicked swimmer will grab onto the closest thing, and that might be you.

Also make sure she has some good anti-fog stuff in her mask. She won't be comfortable if she can't see well, and it might be hard for her to clear her mask while treading water.

She might also benefit from a dive jacket or a snug rash guard for a bit of extra warmth. Being cold might make her feel more nervous.

pipanale · Post by **pipanale** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 2:14 pm

Our friend can't swim. He had used rented life jackets, but only was comfortable once he bought his own life jacket. It's more of a sportsman/boating one. It's got like 37 straps on it. He puts it on and is comfortable enough to jump off the side of a boat and snorkel.

I can't tell you how happy we are that he bought it. It was hard doing snorkel trips otherwise.

Joshie · Post by **Joshie** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 2:17 pm

Margy Z · Post by **Margy Z** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 2:22 pm

I second the vest or belt - the noodles can get away from you and if you're already spooked by deeper water then this is just one more thing to think about. DH can swim but is not a great swimmer so he wears a vest most of the time.

Another thing, in case this affects anyone else: I love to snorkel but I have a real problem with getting water in my ears. It gets really bad even after one short snorkeling session and it drives me nuts. Earplugs were very uncomfortable for me. I finally discovered the Mack's brand of moldable, flexible ear canal covers, (not plugs) and their Dry-n-Clear ear drying drops and these two products have made a world of difference for me.

- Margy

vi lover · Post by **vi lover** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 2:29 pm

We're annual visitors and my wife is also afraid to snorkel without some flotation "assistance". She's always used the noodle before, but this year I bought the snorkel vest for her to free-up her hands and help her be more mobile. WOW! She was thrilled with the difference it made. The noodle is an inexpensive way to help, but to really make it worth her effort, spring for the vest.

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