can i use Aquabelt as a Snorkeling Vest?

[TomTom81]

Hi guys,
I'm planing to go on a vacation soon where I would be snorkeling. My swimming skills are rather so-so, therefor I would love to have an extra flotation device. I had read on the net that usually snorkeling vests are uses, but... I can't find any of them near me and also I want something a bit more discreet, then a bright orange life vest.

And so I thought of getting an Aquabelt, i.e. something like that



what do you think, would it be ok for snorkeling?

Thanks!
Tom

[aquaregia]

Snorkeling vests will keep your head out of the water if you need them to. This won't.

I don't think there's any shame in not being a great swimmer yet being concerned about your safety. If I wasn't such a great swimming, I'm not sure that I'd want to be at all discreet about it.

[knowone]

People of learning

An aid to enable you to become acquiescent with the foreign environ
within or upon you wish to conquer is as close to cool as heeeeeeeey

OH YEAH

If you have a lack of understanding of immersion or devices that
MAY only aid or assist a wearer that has a miniscule idea of their
concepts and the probable, futility, of water, I would try the sh!t!

Without any embarassment, first



because possible embarassment is the biggest killer of aqua folks

[Arubandi07]

Based on the pic, this will be an excellent way to keep your ass out of the water(literally), how cool is that??

Now, take a deep breath, relax, and wait for help to arrive...

On the serious side, a life vest is called a life vest for good reason, just as an example, picture yourself in a situation, where your mobility has been compromised and you're unable to actively balance yourself in a vertical position, head above water. Under those circumstances, a life vest will do the job, that thing won't.

Check some of the equipment websites, you can probably get something in the same cool blue as that Aquabelt, and if you're in a rush, there's always express delivery.

[skune]

Hi guys,
I'm planing to go on a vacation soon where I would be snorkeling. My swimming skills are rather so-so, therefor I would love to have an extra flotation device. I had read on the net that usually snorkeling vests are uses, but... I can't find any of them near me and also I want something a bit more discreet, then a bright orange life vest.

And so I thought of getting an Aquabelt, i.e. something like that



what do you think, would it be ok for snorkeling?

Thanks!
Tom

It seems you are getting answers from someone who has never used a belt for snorkeling. My wife and I are not great swimmers, and have snorkeled extensively in Hawaii and all over the Virgin Islands and Bonaire over a period of 10 years and we use swimbelts exclusively. They provide just the right flotation, especially when face-down snorkelling. The guy that snorkels with his head out of the water isn't seeing much. We use a belt available here: WaterGym WATER BELT - The BEST WATER FLOTATION BELT on the market!
It packs easily, fits better, and isn't as bulky, and has given us both the confidence to not only snorkel anywhere, but to swim with a pod of dolphins in Hawaii. I think it is much better than a vest, and does everything it needs to. If you want additional flotation, a shorty wetsuit also provides good flotation, or you can use the belt and the wetsuit, as we do when the water is colder.
I have seen many non-swimmers use belts like these on different snorkel trips, and some snorkel cruises use them also, so don't be mislead by someone with an opinion but no experience.