Can You Snorkel With A Life Vest?
Snorkeling offshore where conditions may change at any time require snorkelers to have safety measures in place. A general rule of thumb when going far into the open waters is to have a life jacket on. In case of unforeseen conditions, the life jacket will help keep your head above water and prevents you from drowning. However, if you are going to a snorkel spot offshore you may wonder can you snorkel with a life vest?
Yes, you can snorkel with a life vest on. However, this comes with its fair share of limitations which include difficulty moving around and the inability to dive underwater for close marine life observations. This is because the primary material used to make life jackets ensures the body can’t sink keeping the head above the water surface.
With this in mind, it’s clear that attempting to snorkel underwater when wearing a life jacket is impossible. On the bright side, if you only plan on surface snorkeling, then a life jacket can work just fine.
If you plan on snorkeling with a life jacket always ensure that it fits you perfectly. An oversized life jacket will not be of any use to you since your body can easily slip out of it risking your life. In such a scenario, a snorkel vest would be a better option.
Is a snorkel vest the same as a life vest?
No, a snorkel vest is not the same as a life vest or jacket. While both help keep the users afloat, the material and design used differ a lot.
A snorkel vest is designed using lightweight buoyant material to help the user stay afloat when swimming or snorkeling. Snorkeling vests may also use other materials such as neoprene for added comfort, stretch, and coverage as well as to offer protection from harmful UV rays.
In addition, snorkel vests have various add-on features to carry or attach snorkeling accessories. A common add-on feature on snorkeling vests is an inflation tube. This helps the snorkeler inflate or deflate the vest depending on what they hope to achieve.
When on the surface, inflating the vest will help keep you on the surface. On the other hand, deflating the vest allows you to dive underwater for close observation.
Life vests, on the other hand, are designed to keep your head above water in case of an emergency. To achieve this life jackets are made using very buoyant foam material. This material can’t sink and will always float back to the surface.
Compared to snorkel vests, life jackets have multiple straps and buckles at the front and on the sides. This helps safely secure the jacket on the wearer. Snorkel vests usually have side zippers or are secured with a strap that runs over the crotch area and the waist.
Life jackets are designed for emergencies meaning their general design is very high profile and offers more buoyancy compared to snorkeling vests.
Read More: Best Snorkel Vest for Non-Swimmers
What is the purpose of a snorkel vest?
As mentioned above, a snorkel vest is designed to help swimmers and snorkelers stay afloat. A snorkel vest is very useful for beginners and non-swimmers who want to enjoy snorkeling.
Seasoned snorkels also use these vests since they can help save on energy used while snorkeling. A snorkel vest allows the user to spend less energy staying afloat or swimming, meaning they can snorkel longer.
Snorkel vests help improve safety in case of unexpected strong currents. Offer Protection from UV rays and protect the torso area from stings from jellyfish and other sharp objects.
The bright colors used on these vests allow fast and easy spotting in case one drifts away from the group. It’s also easy for boats and those engaging in other water spots and activities to spot snorkelers and avoid colliding with them.
Snorkel vest offers insulation and protects snorkelers from losing a lot of heat which could lead to hypothermia. Some snorkel vests use neoprene which adds to the insulation benefits.
What is the purpose of a life vest?
A life vest commonly referred to as a life jacket is designed to keep the users afloat in case of an emergency.
When going out into the open waters be it for fishing, a boat tour, swimming, kayaking, or any other water activity, a life jacket is a must-have. In case of strong currents, boat malfunctions, or any other unforeseen situations, wearing a life vest will prevent you from drowning.
Life vests use very buoyant material to promote floating. These can either be jackets made using very buoyant foam material or an inflatable life jacket.
Just like snorkel vests, they are made using bright colors easy to spot from a distance. Have many adjustable straps for maximum safety. Some additional features in life vests include waterproof pockets to place personal items such as a phone and a whistle in case you have to call out for help.
Can a snorkel vest be used as a life jacket and vice versa?
A snorkel vest does help in keeping the body afloat but it cannot substitute a life jacket in emergencies. As seen above, it’s possible to dive under wat when wearing a snorkel vest.
In case of an emergency, the snorkel vest has to be fully inflated to help keep you on the water’s surface. If the vest has some issues inflating, then it will not be in a position to keep you afloat.
In summary, a snorkel vest can’t serve as a life jacket in life-threatening situations. Maybe for a few minutes or an hour but it wouldn’t offer maximum support for hours.
A life jacket can be used as a snorkel vest for surface snorkeling only. The bulky buoyant material used prevents us from going underwater. It’s important to remember that the very buoyant material may also pose a challenge in maneuverability especially if it doesn’t fit properly.
A well-fitting life jacket can allow users to surface snorkel for some time without feeling exhausted.
Safety Measures When Snorkeling with a Life Vest
- Always ensure the life vest fits you properly. As a small-bodied person, some life jackets can be too big for you, and wouldn’t make any sense to wear one for snorkeling. Try the jacket on before leaving for the snorkel site.
- Practice swimming in a pool before using the life vest in the open water. Since life jackets are quite bulky, getting used to the feeling is important. This will also prepare you for how to swim around in a life vest.
- Never go snorkeling alone
- Check the weather conditions beforehand. Even with a life jacket on it’s better to avoid snorkeling when the conditions are harsh
- Be aware of your environment and surroundings. When the conditions start changing mid snorkeling it’s important to abort the snorkeling session before the harsh conditions hit
- Understand what makes you uncomfortable. A life jacket may keep you afloat but if strong currents make you nervous you could end up confused, panicking, and risking your life in these conditions.
Conclusion, can you snorkel with a life vest
While it is possible to snorkel in a life vest, it is not as comfortable as a snorkel vest. To fully enjoy snorkeling comfort is key. A restricting vest will limit your experience and you most likely end up spending more energy trying to move around in it.
Always keep in mind that you can’t dive into the water while wearing a life jacket. In case some snorkeling spots require you to move closer to the marine life, then you end up missing out on all the fun.
Both a life jacket and a snorkel vest have multiple benefits and can be life-saving. Knowing when to wear each is most important for snorkeling and your safety.
