Color of Your Child’s Swimsuit Could Impact Their Safety at the Pool or Beach, expert says
Water safety experts have revealed that the color of your child’s swimsuit could have a significant impact on their safety while swimming. Bright and contrasting colors are recommended, as they stand out more clearly against the water and make it easier for lifeguards and parents to spot a child quickly, especially in emergency situations. Bernard Fisher, Director of Health and Safety for the American Lifeguard Association, emphasized the importance of choosing bright colors such as neon yellow, orange, pink, and bright red for swimsuits to enhance visibility.
According to Wyatt Werneth, a coastal lifeguard in Florida, swimsuit colors play a crucial role in preventing drownings and finding missing children at the beach. Bright colors help lifeguards locate children in pool environments or at the beach quickly. A company called Alive Solutions conducted tests to determine the visibility of various swimsuit colors in swimming pools and lakes, with neon colors proving to be the most visible.
Dr. Maneesha Agarwal, an associate professor of pediatrics and emergency medicine at Emory University School of Medicine, stressed the importance of supervision and water competency for children, along with recognizing the signs of drowning. While bright swimsuit colors can aid in visibility, Agarwal emphasized that multiple layers of protection, including swim lessons, supervision, and CPR knowledge, are essential in preventing drowning incidents.
With accidental drowning rates on the rise in the United States, it is crucial for parents to take necessary precautions to ensure their children’s safety while swimming. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends swim lessons as a key layer of protection against drowning, highlighting the importance of starting lessons at an early age to build water competency and safety skills.
