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(please accept this following post as an attempt to protect lives - not an attempt to tell you how to live your life.)
EVERYBODY SHOULD WEAR A SNORKLE VEST
The top story in the Seattle news last night was, "Boy found in Boat, Father presumed drowned." Since I'm in the middle of composing my trip reports to share with the group, I thought it would be timely to share this.
http://www.komo4news.com/stories/39136.htm
Supposedly, the man was boating (almost in front of Bill Gates house) with his 3 year old son and their 2 dogs. One of the dogs jumped in the water and the man jumped in to save the dog. The 3 year old and both dogs were wearing life jackets - the man was not. Apparently the man drowned.
Nothing we will do will ever change this tragedy, but we would be wise to learn from it. Unfortunately, this man made 2 mistakes that cost him his life and robbed a 3 year old of his dad. First of all, he should have had his life jacket on. Secondly, unless absolutely necessary, don't put a man in the water to save a man overboard (now you have 2 men overboard).
I grew up sailing on the West Coast and still own a sailboat, for 10 years I was the Accountant at a large pleasure boat manufacturer, and I was a life guard as a teenager - I have known a lot of people that have drowned. Trust me, it does happen.
We should all WEAR A SNORKLE VEST while snorkling. I know it's a hassle and I didn't wear mine everytime I went snorkling either. But the truth is, it would be very easy to drown while snorkling the USVI.
I know, I know, you're rolling your eyes. And I agree, the probability is that you'll be fine. But remember this, few people leave the shore/dock thinking, "this would be a great day to drown."
JFP
Great reminder of the balance between enjoying the beauty of the Virgin Islands and safety in doing so. My wife and I are buying our own snorkel gear for the first time to enjoy the beaches and marine life "at will" during our upcoming February trip. Your text helped convince me to spend the extra couple of dollars to buy the vest and ensure that our trip remains both enjoyable and safe. Thanks!
Thanks for making a good point. I was feeling like a dork for some time because I use a vest for snorkling. The way some on this and other boards deride "cruise passangers" for wearing the supplied vests made me feel tthat way. I find I expend less energy with the vest on and can snorkle longer. Once you master the technique of letting the air out before diving, it's not obtrusive at all.
Bassman
I say Dorks rule! I just bought a snorkel vest ($60 of well spent money) rather than rent one for our trip to STJ in 7 weeks (!!!) and it seems like a very easy way to stay safe and RELAXED! Who needs to prove what by NOT wearing one? Another advantage is that you can put less sunscreen on your back for long snorkel adventures since the vest covers your back to a point. I highly advise them to people on their first snorkel particulary because if no one warns you about the magnified view of the water you may think you're very deep (like I did), panic (like I did), flounder and sit on fire coral (yes). Not much fun- so stay safe and wear the vest!
You are, of course, correct in stressing safety.
I don't use a snorkel vest, just never felt the need. I float very easily -- probably something to do with my fat to muscle ratio!! But last summer I was visiting my kids on their boat at Lake Cumberland (KY) and I was amazed the difference swimming in fresh water. Besides being COLD, I sank like a stone. Hooray for salt water.
Last spring my brother in law was visiting. He is a good swimmer. We were snorkling at Cane Bay and were out as far as the wall. He cramped up badly and I had to tow him back in.
Fortunately he was only midly panicked, otherwise I would not have been able to get him in if he had started thrashing.
I now have two vests and if I or any of my guests are going to be that far from shore or a boat we wear them.
Jim
can anyone recommend a particular vest for purchasing?
I live very close to the Puget Sound, so I have access to a lot of reputable dive shops in town. The 1st couple of snorkle vests I bought locally.
For this trip I bought my kid's snorkle vests at snorkelcity.com. They were the same type of high quality snorkle vest that I purchased locally, but the best thing is that I saved about 50% by buying off the internet.
JFP
