Has anyone ever used one of these?

[MamaParrotHead]

http://www.isnorkel.com/product-exec/product_id/4036

 

DH and I LOVE to snorkel. And plan on trying to teach the kids how to snorkel (hopefully with a bit of help from the great private guides we're going with on our excursions). BUT, my 10 year old wears GLASSES, and although we had considered getting a Rx snorkel mask, it doesn't make much sense, as the next time we'd be able to use it would be a few years down the road and her Rx would most likely have changed.

 

Anyway, this looked like a great way for them to be able to participate (while floating in a life vest) and still be within their comfort zone, maybe even just initially. Has anyone used one? Some of the reviews talk about having to have access to tap water to assemble it, and I guess I don't understand, LOL.

 

Any thoughts?

[brenderlou]

I have never seen that but first thought is that they are going to get thier glasses wet fast. Have you looked into prescription swimming googles? I did a search on the internet and found these. Looks like they woould run around $30.00

 

http://www.aquagoggles.com/

http://www.sporteyes.com/swimming.htm

http://www.aclens.com/swimming-goggles.asp

[ncmomof2]

http://www.isnorkel.com/product-exec/product_id/4036

 

DH and I LOVE to snorkel. And plan on trying to teach the kids how to snorkel (hopefully with a bit of help from the great private guides we're going with on our excursions). BUT, my 10 year old wears GLASSES, and although we had considered getting a Rx snorkel mask, it doesn't make much sense, as the next time we'd be able to use it would be a few years down the road and her Rx would most likely have changed.

 

Anyway, this looked like a great way for them to be able to participate (while floating in a life vest) and still be within their comfort zone, maybe even just initially. Has anyone used one? Some of the reviews talk about having to have access to tap water to assemble it, and I guess I don't understand, LOL.

 

Any thoughts?

 

I haven't used it but it was mentioned in this thread. I think maybe you fill the window portion with water to make it magnify.

[rebeccalouise]

I would get the perscription swimming goggles. I think it would be a worthwhile investment. Yes, his perscription will change but not enough to where he won't be able to use the goggles for the next few years. So he might not have 20/20 with them but he will be able to see using them in the future.

 

Take it from me- I never swim underwater anymore because I wear glasses or contacts and can't see a thing without them.

 

It isn't a big deal for me because I really am not that into swimming underwater at age 43 but my son loves to swim. He wears glasses but they are corrective (he has 20/40 vision without them) for a lazy eye and can see without them but if he had vision like mine 20/400 I'd buy him the goggles.

[imsmpls]

http://www.isnorkel.com/product-exec/product_id/4036

 

DH and I LOVE to snorkel. And plan on trying to teach the kids how to snorkel (hopefully with a bit of help from the great private guides we're going with on our excursions). BUT, my 10 year old wears GLASSES, and although we had considered getting a Rx snorkel mask, it doesn't make much sense, as the next time we'd be able to use it would be a few years down the road and her Rx would most likely have changed.

 

Anyway, this looked like a great way for them to be able to participate (while floating in a life vest) and still be within their comfort zone, maybe even just initially. Has anyone used one? Some of the reviews talk about having to have access to tap water to assemble it, and I guess I don't understand, LOL.

 

Any thoughts?

 

I just received mine in the mail today! I opened the box and read the directions so I could answer your question. There is a picture of a garden hose filling the space where the glass is. It says you can use fresh water or clear sea water but to rinse after using sea water.

 

I'm bringing it for DS(4) who is not a strong swimmer. I can connect a rope to it/him and head out to sea! (of course he'll have a life vest as well)

 

PS- Are you from Iowa?

[MamaParrotHead]

Yes, I'm from Dubuque, actually, ;).

 

Thanks for clearing that up. Some of the reviews on that were people talking about how if you don't have access to tap water that it's a pain to fill. I don't know why it couldn't just be submurged and filled that way???

[klauer]

You can snorkel with a regular mask and contacts -- that's what I always do. My husband wears glasses, and was very happy with the prescription mask he got.

[MamaParrotHead]

Yes, that's what I do. But I'm not going to even ATTEMPT contacts with a 10 year old. LOL ;)

[klauer]

Sorry, I don't recommend contacts for a 10 year-old either (unless the doctor recommends them)! I meant that comment for the poster above who said that she never swims underwater because she needs contacts or glasses.

 

The advantage of a prescription mask is that it can correct each eye's vision (sometimes one is more nearsighted than the other) and even compensate for astigmatism. I know I can't use off-the-shelf reading glasses because my eyes aren't the same (have bifocal contacts instead).