0

Your Cart is Empty

January 24, 2025 2 min read

We know why UV blocking fabrics help make being outside and swimming be sun safe(r).

Did you know that when it comes to water safety that the colour and print of your swim suit matters just as much?

Wait, what?!?

When waves of light move from the air to the water (or from the water to the air), they undergo refraction and appear to bend. This can cause objects to appear at a different depth they actually are (eek!). It's also why objects in the water appear distorted or blurry.

Water also changes how we perceive colours, based on what specific wavelengths of light are absorbed by the water molecules, the depth of the water, the colour of the bottom, and because colours appear less bright and more blue underwater.

Alive Solutions Inc. has done testing to see what how colours and prints and water source type impact our ability to see someone in the water.

Swim Suit Visibility in a Pool

In a pool with a light coloured bottom, the most visible colours are neon orange and yellow-green. Neon pink was visible.

Swim Suit Visibility in a Pool - Graphic from Alive Solutions Inc

Swim Suit Visibility in a Lake

In a lake, the best colours are neon orange, yellow, and green. Neon pink did not perform well in a lake. 

In a lake, there are also lots of other things to consider like: the kind of bottom of the lake, the colour of the water, water clarity/visibility, weather, currents/waves. 

How deep you are under the surface will also impact visibility - after about 45cm / 18 inches it becomes harder to differentiate colours.

Swim Suit Visibility in a Lake - Graphic from Alive Solutions Inc

How Prints and Patterns Impact Swim Suit Visibility

Solid Neons are best and small prints and better than larger, dark prints for visibility.

How Print Colour and Style Impacts Swim Suit Visibility - Graphic from Alive Solutions Inc

As always, please make sure to supervise your children effectively and be actively watching them while they are in or near the water. Brightly coloured swimwear will help, but supervision is still required.

 

Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.