Swimwear and visibility safety.
When it comes to children and water, things can go wrong quickly and every second counts in an emergency. One often overlooked factor in water safety is the colour of children’s swimwear. This can play a significant role in how easily they can be seen in the water, potentially making a difference in an emergency.
Whether you’re swimming at home, at a public pool, in a river or the ocean, constant supervision of young children is essential. However, between the distractions of pool toys, splashing and other people, it can be easy to lose sight of kids in and around water. Even in a pool, sun glare and movement of the water can make it difficult to spot someone underwater quickly.
What colours should kids wear?
Bright and vibrant colours, such as neon yellow, orange, and bright pink, stand out far more against the backdrop of the water, making it easier for adults to keep watch and quickly locate them in case of an emergency. These colours are visible both on the surface and underwater.
Swimwear that is white or pale blue or green should be avoided, as these colours can blend in with the surrounding water. Darker colours like navy blue, dark green and black should also be avoided, particularly in open water and cloudy conditions, as these colours can easily get lost.
What else affects visibility?
Glare
Light shining on the water surface can make it impossible to see what is underneath the patch of glare. If supervising the pool, move yourself to a position that removes the glare.
Shade
Shaded areas over the water can form black or dark spots of water. As with too much light causing glare, move your position to prevent shaded areas impacting your ability to see. You may need to keep moving around the pool to avoid patches of shade or glare.
Obstructions
If an object (or person!) is blocking your view of the someone in the water, move to another position where you can see. You need to have an unobstructed view of the water to be able to supervise effectively.
Distraction
Remember to stay focused when supervising kids around water! It’s very easy to become distracted chatting to someone else, looking at your phone, or just mentally ‘zoning out’. Remove as many potential distractions from yourself as you can and keep focused on everyone in the water.