Can You Snorkel With A Life Jacket On?

Wearing a snorkeling life jacket is crucial for maximum safety and comfort while snorkeling. It is essential to position the life jacket on your chest, with the back panel centered between the straps. Both snorkel vests and life jackets provide additional buoyancy, but snorkel vests offer several advantages.

A life jacket is designed to keep a person upright with their head above the water in case of an injury that could include loss of consciousness. Trying to snorkel with a traditional life jacket is far from ideal. Life jackets are U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFDs that keep your head above water, making them ideal for snorkeling. Snorkeling vests have a similar shape to a life jacket but are made specifically for snorkeling. Both work for adults and children, but the snorkel vest is better as it allows you to swim with your head in the water.

In conclusion, a life vest is not always necessary for snorkeling, but it provides numerous advantages that make snorkeling easier and safer. A true life vest, like those issued on cruise ships, is essential for keeping your face out of the water even if you are unconscious. Near shore inflatables for kayaking or sailing can be easily worn while snorkeling and diving below.