Sinkers?

[spectrum]

Are there actually people that cannot snorkel without neoprene or a snorkeling vest? I mean people whose density will not let them relax on the surface with a mask, snorkel and fins. Heavy legs are 1 thing, but the whole person?

Pete

 

[dumpsterDiver]

I doubt it in the ocean, but in freshwater I'm sure there are sinkers.

 

[The Chairman]

Moose can't float in fresh or salt water. Sinks to be him!

 

[Charlie99]

35 years ago, I would sink in freshwater even with full lungs. In saltwater, bursting full lungs would just barely keep the crown of my head above water. I was a rather skinny 155 pounds for my 6' height. A couple times as a kid, lifeguards jumped into save me while I laid on my back motionless, watching other kids swim around above me.

Nowdays, at 6'0" 185 lbs, I no longer have that problem.

 

[billtodive]

My name is Bill, and I am a sinker; and dense (skinny).

If I exhale just by relaxing in fresh water, I'm headed for the bottom. I carry my SMB snorkeling so I can put it under my waist and relax if I'm going to be out more than a few hundred yards.
In salt water, just a bit of air in the lungs will do it, and the salt water is only 999 miles away!

A-ha! Dieting is a major contributing factor in most drownings. Fresh water must increase the risk also, then. Let that be a lesson to you! Dive warm and full!

If we see a moose in the water up here, we give them a wide berth.

 

[tedj01]

I have seen it in freshwater several times - would not be surprised that some could be so in salt water as well. One of the people I saw in freshwater was so negative he probably would have sunk in salt as well. When I saw him working so hard to stay on surface in deep end. I told him if his name was Bob; he needed to immediately change it. I found Bob to be totally inappropriate for him!

 

[jmichaels]

Lots of muscle and no fat = SINKER

 

[holdingmybreath]

here's a true freshwater story.. I'm sure this guy would've been a sinker in the salt.. I had a college football player/muscle builder wanting to give snorkeling a go.. he wasn't that tall, not a great swimmer but a fair swimmer.. I found a 3mil wetsuit that kinda fit him.. he sunk like a rock... I found a large life vest (one of those not so fancy ski vests, but still, a good life jacket) that was just barely big enough to go around his chest.. and even with 3mil wetsuit and life jacket, he sunk like a rock.. .unless he was moving, he was definetly sinking..and even while moving it was a struggle to keep on top the water.. unbelievable.
Myself, fresh water, 3mil suit.. let 1/2 my air out, I'm going down, especially if I'm verticle.

 

[biodiver18]

i have no problem floating but im sure some people do.

 

[rje634]

We were snorkeling on some island, can't remember which one, St Lucia I think, anyway the man leading our snorkel trip was paddling around with a life preserver. I question him about it and he said that he didn't float, of course I called him on it and said if you breathing you'll float at least a little. His response was to take a really huge breath, hold it, let go of the preserver and sink like a rock.....