Snorkels

Fins, mask, Snorkel, bcd, regulator, wet suit, weight belt, dive vest, dive bag . . . anything else?

What’s a dive vest? Is that the same as a BCD?

A timer/depth gauge and/or dive computer would also be a good idea.

Might also want to add a knife/cutter, compass, torch, reel, and surface marker buoy to that list, especially if you’re planning on diving with only your buddy.

And for the surface interval, towel, sun protection (sunglasses and shirt–suncreen rots rubber), lunch (or money to buy it on the boat)

Oh and let’s not forget the most important thing–a certification and logbook, so they let you on the boat in the first place.

Would like to book an excursion to the reef from Key West, FL. Husband is a weak swimmer but has snorkeled twice in sandy bottom beaches, with no more than 5′ of water. Has also snorkeled twice in cenotes of the same depth. He feels safe with a life vest, and either excursion I’m looking at provides that with instruction and hands-on guides.

Bottom line, which a safer, easier, experience for a non swimmer, Snorkel or snuba? This will be in open water which will be a different experience for him.

Note: I’m referring to sNuba - where you breathe through a scuba regulator that is connected to an air tank which floats on the surface - not scuba.

Neither are truly safe for a non-swimmer. Most excursions/tours will take for granted that you can swim when setting up snorkeling tours. They usually go to safe enough places, but really snorkeling over a tropical reef requires far more swimming skill than you seem to be describing.

I don’t want to disappoint you, but even the most tourist oriented dive trips will require that you complete their training to become a "certified" diver. That would include trips where you use a fixed air supply instead of an air tank.

I hate to sound too negative, but I am a realistic (and an ex-life guard, who has been an ocean swimmer for over 50 years), and I don’t believe that any open water trips are appropriate for people who would class themselves as non-swimmers. A life vest is a help, but believe me, not guaranteed to keep someone who is a non-swimmer safe. There are lots of other fun things to do in Key West. beers at Sloppy Joe’s are sort of a water sport, right?

I’m going on a cruise and have never Snorkeled. What does the vest do? And if you cant swim very good, or at all, are you allowed to do it? Should you do it?

Snorkel vests are great for a short excursion they are very light weight are usually bright orange or yellow. Much smaller than your typical PFD. There is a tube on them that you fill with your breath of air. That way you can adjust your bouyancy in the water. And as far as safety they are quite safe and as always stay with your group.
Good luck & have fun !

There is used gear that I saw on craigslist for $500.00 and I was curious if this is a good deal for a begginer diver.

"2 complete pro dive getteups scuba pro bc vests one sherwood brut regulator one aquarius aqua lung regulator 2 sherwood aluminium 3000psi tanks hydro good till 2011weight belts w/weights dive mask several to pick from fins Snorkels misc items dive travel bags take ur pick 500.00 each great deal "

Some additional costs…

How old are the BCD? While regular servicing of a BCD is not required by a professional, the BCD might need to be examined and tuned-up by someone that knows what they are doing. This could range from $20 per BCD to $100 per depending on the person doing the servicing.

When was the last time the regulators were serviced? Most manufacturers suggest cleaning/tune up every other year and an overhaul on the opposite every other year. The regulators could be in complete bad shape and cost around $150 each to get overhauled.

While the hydro on the tanks are good until 2011, when was the last time it was visually inspected? You need visual inspection yearly and hydros every five years. The visuals cost about $20 per tank, and the hydros cost about $75. So in two years, you’ll need to get a new hyrdo anyway, and new AL 80 tanks cost about $160 and will have a brand new hyrdo.

If the gear is in perfect working condition, then $500 is a great deal. You could end up spending another $500 per kit to get them in safe, working condition.

We are leaving for Hawaii this Friday and have never been there. Myself (65), and my daughter (44), do not swim, but would love to snorkel for the first time. Is there anyway we can do this very close to shore with a life vest and see some incredible things? And NOT drown? Thank you for your ideas.

Yes, many of the beautiful coral reefs in hawaii are about 3-5 feet deep. So you can pretty much walk ( not a good idea ). But yes you will be able to Snorkel with vest very easily. The key is to relax and not put your head in too deep.

Have Fun!

I’ve read about these vests and they sound like a good idea. My question, though, is when wearing one, will you be able to dive easily? Can you just inflate/deflate as needed? Are they reasonably comfortable? Am going to Florida Keys.

Most commercial dive/Snorkel boats will have them readily available for your use. They are quite simple to use, give added safety and security to you and the charter boat operator, and they are comfortable. As far as being able to inflate and deflate as needed, this is easy too.

Have fun in the Keys!

Did anyone go snorkeling before? do u have to know how to swim, cuz i only know how to doggy paddle. also, can u go snorkeling with life vests, in shallow water? we might go on a cruise to the Bahamas. i wanted to know if its safe. thanks. Best Answer rewarded.

I have been Snorkeling and it was absolutely safe! Life vest were there for rent . Just remember to put sunscreen on the back of your legs. The burns still haunt me.

Ok this is my 2nd List:

Torso (continued):
Coffee Server Uniform
Pizza Server Uniform
Tuxedo
Alien Costume
Fishing Vest
Long Johns
Tuba
Life Guard Tank Top

Glasses/Eyeware:
Brown/Black Reading Glasses
Eyepatch
Novelty Mask
Robot Head
Alien Head
Goggles
Ski Goggles
Swirly Glasses (April Fools)
Green Snorkel
Red/Blue facepaint
Night Vision Goggles
3-D Glasses
Black Cool Glasses
Red/Blue Shades
Trendy Shades
Super Hero Mask

Shoes:
Brown Sandals
Brown Slip Ons
Wooly Socks
Yellow/Green Rubber Boots
Pirate Boots
Cowboy Boots
Elf Shoes
Fuzzy Boots
Blue/Pink Roller Skates
Yellow Sandals
Green Flippers
Snow Shoes
Bunny Slippers
Ski Boots
Clown Shoes
Black/Blue Sneakers

Hand Held Items:
Silver/Flame Surfboards
Red/Black Electric Guitars
Accoustic Guitar
Gold Bracelets
Crook and Flail
Yellow Sand Surfer
Hockey Stick
Bell
Trick or Treat Pumpkin Basket

your gonna have to look for my 3rd List!
Plz comment on 3rd List.
Moving on!

not at all. none of this is rare. alot of people have this stuff not all of it. but i almost.

This rental boat capsized off the Florida Keys.
There was only one boat and I believe 6 people on board. We arrived on scene just several mins after a large swell took the boat under.
I whipped out my camera and dove in. We helped them gather up their belongings and encouraged them to put on their life vests.
This occurred about 8 miles offshore. We called the Coast Guard for them and within mins the helicopters arrived.
The family was visiting from Colorado. It just happened to be the most busy time of year in the Keys (Mini Season for Spiny Lobster). They were just there to snorkel. We went out to the lighthouse nearby to finish catching our limit for the day. That didn’t happen. We called it a day and thanked Heavenly Father for no loss of life.

Duration : 0:1:42

Technorati Tags: boat, capsized, coast, Florida, fwc, guard, keys, lighthouse, lobster, mini, season, ship, wreck, wrecked

Went on a snorkeling tour on Safari boat excursions to lanai and free dive down 33 ft through the underwater arch. Barely had enough breath to come back up and scared the guy coming up. 1st man to free dive through this arch with a life vest on! These guys will be talking about me on the tour! Great tour BTW. 8 hour adventure went around the entire island of lanai and stopped at 3 Snorkeling spots.

Duration : 0:0:16

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Technorati Tags: free diving, hawaii, lanai, maui, scuba diving, skin diving, snorkeling