Choosing the Right Swimsuit Color Can Save Lives
A recent article published by the Italian news publication EduNews24 has brought renewed international attention to a simple but important aspect of water safety: the color of a swimmer's swimsuit. Published on June 30, 2026, the article examined testing conducted by Alive Solutions, which evaluated the underwater visibility of 14 different swimsuit colors in both swimming pools and natural bodies of water.
The testing concluded that fluorescent orange, fluorescent yellow, and neon green consistently provided the greatest underwater visibility, while white, light blue, gray, black, and dark blue often blended into the water or pool floor, making swimmers significantly more difficult to detect. The article also referenced the American Lifeguard Association's longstanding recommendations regarding the use of highly visible swimwear as an additional layer of water safety.
The American Lifeguard Association has consistently encouraged swimmers and families to consider visibility when selecting swimwear. While no swimsuit color can prevent a drowning incident, choosing bright, high-visibility colors may help lifeguards, parents, instructors, and other bystanders recognize a swimmer in distress more quickly. In an emergency, every second matters, and improving visual recognition can contribute to a faster rescue response.
Contrary to what is often portrayed in television and movies, drowning is usually silent. Victims rarely have the opportunity to wave or call for help. Instead, they may quietly slip beneath the surface with little warning. When a swimmer is wearing colors that closely resemble the surrounding water or the bottom of a swimming pool, valuable seconds can be lost simply trying to locate them.
The Alive Solutions testing demonstrated that fluorescent orange, yellow, and neon green maintained excellent visibility in a variety of aquatic environments, including pools with both light and dark bottoms as well as lakes with reduced water clarity. Bright pink and fuchsia also performed well in clear swimming pools but became much less visible in murky natural water. Meanwhile, white, light blue, gray, black, and darker shades consistently ranked among the least visible colors under many conditions.
The American Lifeguard Association believes swimsuit color should never be viewed as a substitute for proper water safety practices. Instead, it should be considered one component of a comprehensive drowning prevention strategy. The most effective protection continues to include constant, attentive supervision, learning to swim, properly maintained pool barriers, qualified lifeguards, emergency preparedness, and the appropriate use of U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets when necessary.
The EduNews24 article also cited data from Italy's National Institute of Health showing that approximately 342 people drown annually in Italy, including roughly 41 individuals under the age of 19. The report further noted that nearly half of pediatric drowning incidents occur in swimming pools, reinforcing the importance of continuous supervision regardless of swimming ability or location.
Whether enjoying a neighborhood pool, a community aquatic center, a lake, a river, or the ocean, selecting brightly colored swimwear is an inexpensive decision that may improve visibility when every moment counts. Although no single measure can eliminate the risk of drowning, combining high-visibility swimwear with proven water safety practices creates another valuable layer of protection.
The American Lifeguard Association encourages families, aquatic facilities, swim instructors, camp operators, and waterpark managers to educate swimmers about the importance of swimsuit visibility. Small decisions made before entering the water can have a meaningful impact during an emergency. By combining visible swimwear with vigilant supervision, qualified lifeguards, swimming education, and established safety practices, communities can continue working together to reduce drowning incidents and make aquatic environments safer for swimmers of all ages.












