Greg D.
Contributor
BlueDevil:Ever tried to swim in a lifejacket??!! If your boat has completely sunk and there is no sign of rescue then at least a mask and snorkel will allow you to make a pretty good attempt at swimming to safety. With a lifejacket you are not going to get too far.
And another point about lifejackets...ever tried to don one in a hurry? Recently we surfaced from a dive to find huge seas had sprung up. The charter operators were worried because we had to pass through a patch of very dangerous waters on the way back. They passed out the lifejackets for us to put on (yeah...conditions really were that bad!). The average time taken to put on and secure the lifejackets was about 5 min (I am not kidding...5 mins) - they are more fiddly than you realize. Anyway as we approached the really bad section I subtly slipped my mask and snorkel over my head so it was around my neck, and slipped my fins on. I looked up and saw that nearly everyone else had done the same! Looks like I am not the only who has more faith in snorkelling gear than a lifejacket.
I have swam in a life jacket, not much different than doing a surface swim with full scuba, easier actually just roll to you back and kick. I guess it would also depend on how far out you are. I'm going out on a limb here but I'm thinking that in "huge seas" you would have a hell off a time swimming anywhere. and you should be able to get into a life jacket as fast as you can put on a coat, I wear one all the time if I am on a boat without my BC.
Just my 2cents on life vests alot ot peopl dont wear them because they are great swimmers..... but I have yet to see an unconcious person swim

Of course all this would change if I was in my 7mil, dont think I would need a life vest to stay afloat and all I would grab is my mask and flippers. I'd probably grab a snorkel if I had one
