FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): As families spend more time at pools, lakes and ponds during the summer months, water safety experts are highlighting an often-overlooked factor that could help prevent tragedies: the color of a swimmer’s swimsuit.
While life jackets, swimming lessons and active supervision remain the most important water safety measures, experts say choosing highly visible swimwear can make it easier to spot swimmers quickly if an emergency occurs.
Several independent water safety demonstrations conducted in recent years have shown that some swimsuit colors become difficult or nearly impossible to see underwater, especially in lakes, ponds and other natural bodies of water.
Bright, fluorescent colors such as neon orange, neon pink, neon yellow and bright lime green consistently rank among the most visible options. These colors tend to stand out against both pool bottoms and the darker water conditions commonly found in lakes and ponds.
Water safety advocates say visibility can be especially important for children, who can disappear beneath the surface in seconds.
“Drowning is often silent,” safety experts note. “Anything that helps parents, lifeguards or other adults keep visual contact with a swimmer can be beneficial.”
Natural bodies of water present unique challenges. Unlike swimming pools, lakes and ponds often contain algae, sediment, vegetation and murky conditions that can reduce visibility. Colors that appear bright on land may blend into the surrounding environment once submerged.
Experts generally advise avoiding swimsuit colors that closely match the color of the water or surrounding environment. Light blue, dark blue, gray and some shades of green can become difficult to distinguish in both pools and natural waterways.
White swimsuits can also present challenges. While they may be visible near the surface, they can lose contrast underwater and become harder to detect in bright sunlight or reflective conditions.
In swimming pools, dark-colored swimsuits may blend into shadows, lane markings or dark pool bottoms. In lakes and ponds, darker colors can disappear entirely beneath the surface, particularly in deeper or murkier water.
Many water safety organizations recommend neon orange and neon pink as two of the most effective colors across a variety of water environments because they provide strong contrast against blue water, dark water and natural backgrounds.
Safety advocates emphasize, however, that swimsuit color should never be viewed as a substitute for supervision.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to maintain constant visual contact with children around water, regardless of what they are wearing. Experts recommend staying within arm’s reach of young or inexperienced swimmers and designating a responsible adult as a dedicated “water watcher” during gatherings.
Additional safety measures include enrolling children in swim lessons, using properly fitted life jackets when appropriate, learning CPR and swimming in areas with lifeguards whenever possible.
The discussion surrounding swimsuit visibility has gained attention in recent years through social media demonstrations showing how dramatically certain colors can disappear underwater. Many parents have begun choosing brighter swimwear after seeing side-by-side comparisons conducted by safety groups.
As summer recreation continues across Indiana and the country, experts say a simple wardrobe choice could provide an added layer of protection.
“Bright swimwear won’t prevent a drowning by itself,” one water safety educator said. “But if it helps a parent spot a child faster or helps rescuers locate someone in distress more quickly, it can make a difference.”
For families heading to the pool, lake or pond this summer, safety professionals recommend looking beyond style and comfort and considering visibility as part of an overall water safety plan. Bright, high-contrast colors may not eliminate risk, but they can help swimmers remain easier to see when every second counts.
