The color of children’s swimwear may affect their safety in the pool or beach, according to water safety experts who carefully studied how the color of swimwear impacts children’s visibility in the water.
According to a report from CNN, Bernard Fisher, the Health and Safety Director of the American Lifeguard Association, stated in an email to the media, “The color of children’s swimwear greatly affects their visibility in the water, which is crucial in preventing drowning. Bright and highly contrasting colors are more visible in the water, making it easier for lifeguards and parents to quickly spot children, especially in emergency situations.”
“People should avoid wearing light blue, gray, or green swimwear as they blend in with the water and the surroundings, making it difficult to spot children. We recommend bright and highly contrasting colors such as neon yellow, orange, pink, and bright red,” Fisher added. “These colors are very eye-catching both underwater and on the water surface.”
Wyatt Werneth, a spokesperson for the American Lifeguard Association and a lifeguard on the coast of Florida, mentioned that there is not enough discussion about the color of swimwear in the realm of public safety.
He said, “Bright clothing is something we believe can change the game. If you blend in with the color of the water or surroundings, you will disappear into it.”
Werneth mentioned that lifeguards not only rescue people from strong currents but also search for missing children on the beach.
“If they are wearing brightly colored clothing, and if you have taken photos of those children beforehand, then we will have photos to know what to look for. So, you can help us—not only in preventing drownings but also in preventing missing persons cases,” he said.
A company called “Alive Solutions” specializes in researching water safety issues. The company found in two different experiments that certain colors of swimwear are easier to spot in swimming pools or open water areas like lakes.
Natalie Livingston, co-founder and owner of “Alive Solutions,” said in an email to CNN, “In our main testing, we tested 14 different colors.”
The company’s test results showed that neon pink and neon orange seemed most noticeable in a pool with a light-colored bottom. Darker colors could be seen against a light pool bottom but often were mistaken for shadows, leaves, or dirt and overlooked. White and light blue swimsuits were less conspicuous and appeared to blend completely into the pool.
In general, bright colors had the highest visibility in all environments, according to Livingston.
Data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last month shows that accidental drowning rates in the United States are on the rise.
The new data indicates that between 2020 and 2022, over 4,500 people in the United States died from drowning each year, with an increase of about 500 deaths per year compared to 2019. Children are particularly at high risk as drowning is the leading cause of death for children aged 1-4 in the United States.