A full Camelback will be neutrally bouyant while in the water. The Lotus'es and most other Type III vests balance the flotation material around your body to keep it non-restrictive. Type I and Type II (orange horse-collar) vests have the ring around your neck and the bulk of the buoyancy in front to turn an unconscious wearer face-up.

It's a trade-off; range of motion vs. safer placement of foam.

I would postulate that the Camelback would tend to roll you over if you were on your stomach. The water bladder would be out of the water, raising your center of gravity and make you more likely to "tip" over into a more neutral on-your-back position.

I realize that this extra water weight will be with me when I have to do a rescue (when it's out of the water, that water is now dead weight) It doesn't seem to interfere with rolling, other than the fact that it doesn't allow me to lay back as far.

Aw' c'mon, what's wrong with the Lotus flower? :)

: Shawn, Nice job! Any idea what a full Camelback does to the flotation or the
: ability of the vest to keep your face our of the water (poor to begin with
: with a lotus vest)? I hope you did not reproduce the goofy Lotus
: embroidery on the back!