Neoprene as flotation

[Merlock]

My wife is not a Scuba diver but she's come to love snorkelling. Even though she's become pretty comfortable in the water she still wants some sort of flotation device.

Up to this point she's been using a "Noodle". This is a 6' long, 3'' diameter piece of foam she holds across her chest and under each arm. You've propbably all seen one. These devices are cumbersome, but they keep her afloat with little effort.

I'm suggesting to her we buy her a nice 3mm neopreen vest that will serve the duel purpose of a little warmth and also give her some positive bouyancy. I believe it will be enough to keep her on top of the water and be MUCH less cumbersome.

My question is: In your experience how bouyant is a 3mm vest?

Thanks for the opinions.

 

[Charlie99]

Merlock once bubbled...
My question is: In your experience how bouyant is a 3mm vest?

Around 4 pounds for my XL size 3mm.

I hope your wife likes the shorty. They are nice, streamlined bouyancy and nice for snorkeling, as long as you just intend to stay on the surface.

 

[Soggy]

In reality, your wife has all she needs to stay afloat on the surface without the neoprene. People who aren't very comfortable in the water try to stay in an upright position, which means a much smaller water column is supporting your weight...much like lying on a bed of nails vs a single nail. If she were to lay face down with her body extended, I will almost guarantee she'll float...especially since most fins are positively bouyant. My description is rough, but illustrates the point, I believe.

That being said, if she feels that she needs additional support, the vest will provide added bouyancy.

 

[Zept]

I have a 3mm vest that I wear for snorkelling and diving. It adds a little buoyancy for snorkelling but the effect is mostly psychological. When I wear it for diving, I need to add about 0.5kg (1lb) of weight... so it is not very floaty.

A 3mm shorty would give her more warmth and more buoyancy.

Z

 

[Merlock]

Thanks, all!

 

[amelo1999]

What about one of those snorkeling vests? I've never used one so I can't tell you much about them though. Then again I'm a natural raft Takes 20 pounds of lead just to get me neutrally buoyant in a pool hehe.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Before she decided to learn how to scuba dive, my wife was very afraid of the water. On our early trips to Bali and the BVI's, she would only snorkel while wearing a life vest taken from the boat's locker.

Afterward ... while working on swimming skills required for her (YMCA) OW certification, she realized that she is very buoyant naturally ... and probably wouldn't have been able to sink in salt water even if she wanted to.

The point of all this is to suggest that you might want to try a little experiment with your wife to find out how much flotation she really needs. Have her don a mask, snorkel, and fins at a place in close enough to the beach that she can stand up if she gets uncomfortable. Then have her get horizontal in the water and see how well she can float naturally ... without the use of any device. Repeat this experiment a few times ... giving her a chance to gradually get comfortable with the idea of floating in that position. With a little bit of practice, she may realize on her own that she really doesn't need either the noodle or the vest.

If that's the case, not only will you eliminate a piece of gear but her confidence will improve in the process.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Merlock]

Great suggestion, Bob.

We'll give it a go in Maui in September.

Thanks.

PS. She tried on one of those Snorkel Vests and hated it...