USVI-On-Line

In someone's pictures the other day, I think Bob&Anita's?, I saw what looked like Snorkel Waist Belts, versus a snorkeling vest. Does anyone know where I can get something like that?

Thnx!

What you may have seen on B&A were were weight belts that help you dive as detailed in their trip reports. Your reference to snorkel vest implies you may be looking for flotation assistance. An alternative to the vest is a water ski belt available at amazon.

I used it for a long snorkel around Waterlemon where for some reason I am prone to foot cramps. Tucked into side or bottom of suitcase, it doesnt weigh much and might now provide some padding for bottles of rum on way back. My family laughed at me for wearing it, but I did get a cramp and I was able to just lean back, relax and work it out.



JMQ

jmq - Thnx!! What are your views on comfort of wearing the belt versus a vest?

I live on a river and kayak often. I always wear one of those yellow belts around my waist...more freeing and comfortable than a regular vest.

I used to take it to St. John for snorkeling (I really don't like to be in water over my head), but the water is so salty down there I don't think I could sink if I tried.

Well, if you kept your thumbs up the belt, you wouldn't snorkel very well. Anyway, the Fabulous Jeannie isn't a strong swimmer, so she wore the belt as a newbie. She had a great experience with it, and in fact was so successful that I'm going to wear one myself the next time we go.

Robin

Coden wrote:In someone's pictures the other day, I think Bob&Anita's?, I saw what looked like Snorkel Waist Belts, versus a snorkeling vest. Does anyone know where I can get something like that?

Thnx!

jmq is correct, the belts we had on are weight belts, not waist belts. Can't speak to the comfort and performance of a waist belt versus a vest, but a vest might tend to lift your upper body more out of the water, thus positioning your feet better for using the flippers - just a thought.

I've used the ski belt for years and just love it. Would not be able to snorkle without it...I do not, repeat, do not, know how to swim at all, and yet with the belt, I've been in hundreds of feet of water in the VIs, Mexico and Hawaii. That along with my prescription mask has made all the difference for me. My first snorkel experience was in Hawaii - without a prescription mask, and everyone kept saying, did you see that? did you see that? I saw nothing but cloudy water! and my flotation accessory at that time was a boogie board. So I highly recommend the ski belt. It is very comfortable, and not at all cumbersome. Get one

Okay, now I'm really confused. Does the ski belt help you stay under the water for snorkeling? Is that what you use it for?

How is it a floatation device? Or is it?

I was thinking about using a noodle but then if I wanted to go under, what do I do with the noodle?

Ski belts help you float, they originally were a floatation device for water skiers, hence ski belt. It is essentially a belt of foam that is cover with plastic, see picture that jmq posted.

A ski belt, or waist belt as some are calling them, should not be confused with a weight belt, which is also a belt that goes around your waist, but it has pockets to put in weight bags.

Thanks all for helping me figure it out, I understand it now. I don't want to buy too many things before going, but being so new at snorkeling I want to make sure that we have everything that we need in order to have successful snorkels.

Thnx again!

I used the ski belt in May for the first time and it was great. It enabled me to snorkel everywhere and considering I really can't swim, I was in heaven.
We rented the belt at Hurrican Hole in town along with fins. I just bring my own mask. Price is very reasonable so there really is no need to drag the belt down in your suitcase. It is kind of clumsy.