How The Color Of Your Child’s Swimsuit Could Save Their Life
Summer is almost upon us. If you plan on shopping for new swimsuits for yourself or your children, here's something you should know about first.
It's that time of year when you will see swimsuits on display in stores. You might be in the market for a new swimsuit. Perhaps you need a new one for yourself, or maybe your kids have outgrown the ones they had from last year. If you're going to be buying a new one this year, make sure that you don't buy one solely based on how "cute" it looks. You might actually want to buy specific colored swimsuits because they could make a big difference in the safety of yourself and your children.
Swimsuit Colors Could Save Your Life
The color of your swimsuit should be your top priority when purchasing a new one. Especially when it comes to your kids, who might not be able to swim as well. Certain colors are more visible underwater than others. This is very important, especially in a situation that none of us ever want to see happen...drowning. Knock on wood, you and your loved ones will remain safe and not fall victim to a growing situation. However, it's a better safe than sorry kind of thing here. That's why Aquatic Safety Connection put together a few infographics to show you which colors are more visible in lakes, dark-colored pools, and light-colored pools so you know what color of swimsuit your children should wear for their own safety.
Swimsuits For Lakes/Open Water
We have several lakes and open waters here in the Evansville area which we all frequently visit to swim. Aquatic Safety Connection tested several colors of swimsuits on the surface (first row images), second row images were from shore level perspective, and third row are from a slightly elevated perspective - simulating standing on a boat/dock view. Here's what they found:
So, the best colors of swimsuits for lakes, open water, and rivers would be bright and contrasting colors such as neon yellow, green, and orange. The worst colors for these swimming areas are dark colors such as black, grey, and even white.
Swimsuits For Dark-Colored Pool Bottoms
If you are going to a public pool or even your pool at home that has a dark pool bottom, Aquatic Safety Connection also tested colors for those as well. This may also be similar to a blue-colored lake or dark blue ocean environments.
As you can see, the best colors for visibility in pools with dark bottoms are also bright and contrasting colors such as neon yellow, green and orange. You want to avoid dark colors or colors that match the pool bottom.
Swimsuits For Light-Colored Pool Bottoms
Lastly, Aquatic Safety Connection tested swimsuit colors on light-colored pool bottoms.
Once again, bright and contrasting colors showed up the best underwater. So with light-colored pools, you will want something like neon pink or orange. White and light blue were the worst colors, as they disappeared quickly underwater. It should be noted that while the darker colored swimsuits did show up on a light pool bottom, they could be easily confused with a pile of leaves, dirt, or a shadow so I tend to stay away from those colors when possible.
There you have it. When you go shopping for swimsuits, bright and contrasting colors should be what you buy for you and your children, especially those who can't swim as well.
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