Is it easier to swim with a life jacket on or not?
By Theresaaiza
@Theresaaiza (10487)
Australia
January 27, 2009 4:58am CST
I joined my cousins before on a snorkeling escapade. Since I have never tried swimming in deep waters, I put on a life jacket to be safe.
The waters were still and the underwater view was just "breath-taking" but with the life jacket on, I just couldn't move around easily.
I enjoyed it except for that reason. Do you think life jacket only makes it harder to swim? It did keep me afloat, that's a consolation.
2 people like this
6 responses
@TheCatLady (4691)
• Israel
24 Feb 09
A life jacket will help you stay afloat, but it interferes with swimming. It's best to learn how to swim and to learn to be confident in the ocean. Snorkeling is awesome. The last time I went snorkeling it was in the Read Sea and it was marvelous. I don't use a life jacket because I've been swimming since I was 2 years old.
@TheCatLady (4691)
• Israel
27 Feb 09
It's never to late to learn. Swimming is really easy. Find a place that gives adult lessons in a pool. There is nothing to be afraid of. They start you out in the shallow end. If you get spooked all you need to do is put your feet down and stand up.
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
27 Feb 09
I wonder if it's too late for me to learn. :-D I mean, I'm already 24 and am scared of a lot of things. Man, I can't even drive!
@smooch091784 (973)
• Philippines
13 Feb 09
Life jackets will sure save you from deep water if you do not know how to swim. But truth is, no matter how bad swimmer you are, whether you can swim or not, you will float yourself in the salt water. How? Well first of all, don't PANIC! Normally people who can't swim panic and that's just not a good start, Try to calm down and paddle slowly, both your feet and hands. Anyway, your question, you can swim with life jacket but it makes you swim slowly. Real slow.. But at least you float, that's matter most. 
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
17 Feb 09
Hi smooch, yes the PANIC part is always. I know I can float and swim without it but I'm just not so confident. With life jacket on, I am assured that I'll never drown but what Im, afraid about is drifting with the current, and find myself in the middle of shark-infested waters. LOL. Very morbid right?
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
17 Feb 09
* the PANIC part is always my problem....LOL, I was out of my mind while answering. Sorry
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
17 Feb 09
Based on your experiences, you pretty much have your answer! 
A lifejacket is purely a buoyancy aid to keep us from sinking. They certainly haven't been designed with freedom of movement in mind! Next time you swim, you might want to try a wetsuit. (Like scuba divers and surfers use) This will not give you as much buoyancy as a lifejacket, but it will still give you more than if you swim without one. You can move far more easily too.
A lifejacket is purely a buoyancy aid to keep us from sinking. They certainly haven't been designed with freedom of movement in mind! Next time you swim, you might want to try a wetsuit. (Like scuba divers and surfers use) This will not give you as much buoyancy as a lifejacket, but it will still give you more than if you swim without one. You can move far more easily too. @Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
23 Feb 09
Yes, I guess my experience made me realize the pros and cons of a lifejacket. The diveshop clerk didn't warn me ahead of time. LOL. I guess I'll try that wetsuit you're talking about but I'll interrogate the clerk till his nose bleeds from all my questions. Haha
@aisaellis22 (6445)
• United States
13 Feb 09
Hello aiza! You're right, life jacket is only good for those people who doesn't know how to swim and who only wants to float longer at the deep part of the water. I didn't use a life jacket actually. I use "salbabida"
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
23 Feb 09
Hi aisa, yes, life jacket works like "salbabida". Only thing is, you wear it on you so you float like mad and not get anywhere fast.
@Lindery (853)
• Latvia
29 Jan 09
Easier is to swim without a life jacket but safer. With the life jacket you can't swim that fast as without it. If you are a good swimmer, life jacket is needed only in extreme conditions. Otherwise, you will be faster without it. If your swimming skills aren't so good, be aware to wear a life's jacket.
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
23 Feb 09
Hi, thanks for that. I'll just train for swimming next time. *wink
@denise002 (444)
• Australia
27 Jan 09
thats all the life jacket is there to do help you float it wont help you swim itself. maybe if you feel a little more confident you can try just taking the jacket or some other floatation device and just simple keep it there to hold on to so you can still move freely and still have that as safety
