What about swim secure floaties?

natorronatorro Mexico CityMember

I've been watching the pictures from the last swim in Cancún, "El Cruce" and a lot of people are using the orange bags by Swim Secure, are they really incrementing security in a 10 kms swim??? is it recommended to use them???

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Solomiklcct
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  • glennglenn cape town SAMember

    I live in Cape town south Africa and we've been told that we have to swim with one of the devices for all swim events longer than 1.6km in the ocean

  • wendyv34wendyv34 Vashon, WASenior Member

    I boycott events that require those. In general, I believe it's a Band-Aid for event directors who don't want to invest in adequate lifeguard coverage, meaning: eyes on every swimmer, 100% of the time. Yes, that's expensive, but not as costly as having someone die at your event. A float will not save an unconscious swimmer, although it might make recovering the body faster.

    The municipality that I work for requires a 30-second response to recognize and rescue a victim in distress, whether that victim is active or passive. If a lifeguard isn't scanning his/her entire area of responsibility every 10 seconds, that standard is nearly impossible to meet.

    Brain damage begins around 2 minutes without oxygen. In open water, where extracting a victim from the water can be much more complicated and could easily take that long, the need for nearly instantaneous recognition of a problem becomes apparent.

    If you choose to boycott an event (for whatever reason) it's important to let the race director know why.

    ssthomasJaimieswimmer25kloneswimmergnome4766bluemermaid9evmomiklcct

    It's always a bad hair day when you work at a pool.

  • IronMikeIronMike Northern VirginiaCharter Member

    I love it when I'm swimming in OW alone. I wear it and make sure I've got a very visible swim cap (yellow MSF or orange Speedo cap). More visibility the better. Haven't swum an event yet that requires it, although some of the Russian events I'm planning on swimming this summer will require it, so I'll let you know what i think in a few weeks.

    FrancoevmothelittlemerwookieflystormsBridget

    We're all just carbon, water, starlight, oxygen and dreams

  • FrancoFranco Chestertown, MDCharter Member

    I remember doing the End-Wet swim a few years ago and it was the only way whoever was in charge of the river would allow the race to go because of the high water level. After booking a long flight, hotel and training for what I figured would be a ten plus hour swim I had no problem wearing one.

    I also drag one when I am swimming alone along with my gold MSF cap.

    evmothelittlemerwookieBridget
  • wendyv34wendyv34 Vashon, WASenior Member

    I think they are an excellent training tool, especially for anyone who has no alternative other than to train alone...however, when I spend $100 or more to enter an event, I expect adequate safety coverage.

    ssthomasJaimieBridget

    It's always a bad hair day when you work at a pool.

  • FrancoFranco Chestertown, MDCharter Member

    In the event I mentioned this was not the RD trying to save a few bucks. He reached a compromise with the powers that be so that we could swim. Travel and lodging alone were much more than entry fee. It was more about being able to attempt the long swim that I trained for than the money and I was thankful the RD was able to make it happen.

    I doubt I would sign up for most events that would require one. If it is a course I want to swim and someone else is organizing but requires the float, I would probably do it. We always have option to plan our own swims and go without one. While some events with large participation may be money makers, I often wonder how some RD's aren't losing money. If it weren't for their countless hours and volunteer support I am sure they would. If they are organizing event it is their call.

    I think you may be correct that for some shorter events it may be a band aid but it is not the norm from my experience particularly in marathon distance events.

    IronMikeBridget
  • FrancoFranco Chestertown, MDCharter Member

    @natorro
    I am not one to worry too much about most things but there have been events where I could have used one.

    The primary reason for me using one is visibility to boaters. If there isn't boat traffic, I don't think you need one.

    I did a 10K in Pensacola, FL in 2010 before these floats were popular. It was the first time for the 10K event and there were long periods where I saw no support but other boaters were present. We were all fortunate that there were no close calls but it was dangerous. I am not sure how much the float would have helped but it sure would have made me feel better that day in the middle of that bay.

    tortugaBridgetmiklcct
  • tortugatortuga Senior Member

    I don't see the problem with a visibility device. It can be easy to loose sight of a swimmer in ocean chop or foul weather. Safety first.

    Bridgetmiklcct
  • TomDockTomDock Bradenton, FLMember

    I'm warming up to these floats and they come in pretty handy. I have a newwaveswimbouy.com and one from the ISHOF. I took me a year just to try them. A big added plus is they make it much easier to see or find your mates in the water and know where they are. I swim along a Florida beach with a fair amount of fisherman and boat traffic.

    Kate_Alexander
  • MoCoMoCo Worcester, MASenior Member

    I really like mine for training swims. I'm less happy with the idea of needing to wear them for a race or organized swim - to me a proper safety plan means I don't need the buoy. I'm definitely voting with my dollars in terms of avoiding races where they're required (which, sniff, means I am not doing the newly restarted Nubble Light swim in Maine despite how much I loved that race the first time).

    wendyv34ssthomas
  • The boat traffic on the lake where I swim has been steadily increasing year over year.

    Do I need to be concerned about chafing when swimming with a float? I was checking out a lifeguard float yesterday and the strap seemed mildly abrasive.

  • IronMikeIronMike Northern VirginiaCharter Member

    I've done upwards of 3 hours in one and have not had any chafing issues.

    We're all just carbon, water, starlight, oxygen and dreams

  • caburkecaburke Charter Member

    Please don't count on a swim float to protect you from pleasure boat traffic in a crowded lake.

    wendyv34SoloBridget
  • jbsjbs Member

    I have to say that I don't understand the feeling that the buoy is a safety shortcut or that a proper safety plan would exclude them. There seems to be an assumption that race directors are requiring that people use the buoys solely so that the race directors can reduce the number of personnel on the course.
    Personally, I don't agree with that assumption. As an example, I've done Nubble both with and without a buoy -- as far as I could tell, the coverage on the course was the same both times.
    On the other hand, the buoys massively increase visibility and thus increase the ability of safety personnel to spot and rescue people having troubles. Yes, it does nothing for an unconscious person. But a buoy makes that person much easier to see, particularly in the middle of chop. I can tell you, standing out of the water looking for friends swimming, with my head about the height that a kayak would be, I can spot those with buoys very quickly. Those with just caps are much harder to see.
    One final thought about using these in races. The visibility makes the race much more interesting for both the swimmer and the spectators. Nubble was my first time using these in a race. I had a much better idea about where the field was because I could see the other swimmers even when they were relatively far away. And when I was done, I could look back at the course and the remaining swimmers popped out of the ocean visually. It was really cool.

    slknightSoloswimfreeordiemiklcct
  • swimrn62swimrn62 Stowe, VTSenior Member

    We swim in an area where jetskis and power boats often come close enough to shore to be quite risky for swimmers. There has been at least one direct hit with injuries and several near misses. The buoys are invaluable for visibility. They also are great for carrying keys, feed bottles, and ID.

    I've never had a chafing problem, but do find them annoying in a tailwind. If that's in the cards, I shorten up the tether so it sits very close to my back so I can take a normal (for me) stroke.

    SoloBridget
  • BridgetBridget New York StateMember

    I was given a floaty this summer by friends I train with. Often, Jim swims with a small group of us, Linda paddles. She likes that I have the floaty because she likes the wetsuiters having buoyancy, and sees it as a good idea for me. I'm more appreciative of the added visibility to boaters, or if I'm swimming in chop. Over the weekend, I did some ocean swimming, and spoke with the beach guards before swimming far past the breakers. They appreciate the visibility. I was also in a rip for a while, and think that having the floaty let the guards let me swim in place for a while. I was in it for the workout, and maintained a decent proximity to shore. Eventually, I did get out, when I determined that I was not going to get forward progress.

    Because I was on vacation alone for the day, I liked the ability to tuck in some money, a small baggy for my earplugs and nose clip, and a larger baggy with a dress in it in case I decided to swim to one end of the beach and take a lunch break. ;-) For one swim, I also packed a snack, in case I took a break to walk on the beach.

    No chafing, even in the ocean in a 2 piece.

    It might have been a good thing years ago when I went off course in the ocean-- I got back on track, but the race support had no idea I was gone. Would I want to be required to wear one? No. Especially on a long swim with any wind to swim into. But if everyone was using them, at least the playing field would be level.

  • j9swimj9swim CharlestonSenior Member

    i love my swim buoy! Look it doesn't take the place of good sense and being aware of your surroundings in open water but it does provide additional visibility. Its like an insurance policy, you have it and really hope you never have to use it. and it does take a few times of wearing one before it stops startling you, but now it's my norm. I was introduced to them about 5 years ago by swimvacation.com who had the guides wear them always and the guest wear them when swimming across bays/channels between islands to provide visibility. Now i wear it pretty much all the time when swimming and would be fine with a event director asking us to wear one. It doesn't provide any buoyancy and can be drag if you don't close the bag well and water gets in as I found a couple of weeks ago while swimming NEK and working super hard to keep up with @swimrm62 till i dumped it.

    SolossthomasKate_AlexanderBridget
  • ssthomasssthomas DenverCharter Mem​ber

    I use one when I'm swimming alone and boats may be around. I like the freedom it gives me to swim alone and it's nice to have a place for a pair of flip flops and feed bottle (or two). I've also made the mistake of not closing it properly and towing around 10 gallons of water (ok, that's an exaggeration, but that's what it felt like) before realizing my mistake. If I had my keys or phone in there, I'd be nervous so I don't usually use it for that. If I did, I probably wouldn't put a phone AND feed bottles in at the same time. I have found that if I don't tighten it enough to sit on my waist, I have chaffed on my hips, right where my swim suit comes up. It wasn't bad and if I have it tight enough around my waist, it's a non-issue. And sometimes it hits me on the back of the legs/back in a weird way and freaks me out. :-) I'd be skeptical of an event/race that requires one, but when swimming without a kayaker, it definitely gives me (and my husband) some peace of mind. Husband has told me that it is still hard to see me in a lot of chop, so if it's choppy and boaty, I use extra caution. But, I do think we should all have one, just in case we're in a situation where it makes sense to have some extra visibility. It's like a bike helmet- it might be slightly annoying, but it won't hurt you, and while it won't save your life if you or a boat are being idiots, it could come in pretty handy in the right situation.

    slknightKate_AlexanderBridgetdpm50
  • jbsjbs Member

    Oh, I should mention the one thing I've really disliked about mine. No chafing with it, but whoever designed the model I have (ISHOF model) decided to chose a material for the waistband that expands when in contact with water. It's pretty extraordinary. I recently had a couple of weeks where I didn't use it, so it dried out completely. The waistband had shrunk so that I had a four inch gap between my hands. So, I loosened it to get it around me. About a half hour later, enough water had soaked in that I had to stop to re-tighten it and keep it from ending up at my ankles, or left behind.

    IronMike
  • MoCoMoCo Worcester, MASenior Member

    Whenever I put important things in mine, I always put them in first, push them all the way down, seal it up, then inflate it. then double check the clip on the dry bag part. Then the important thing is smushed between the bag and the filled air chamber, as far as possible from the opening. I do this because at least one person I know has lost car keys out of theirs during a swim. :)

  • brunobruno Barcelona (Spain)Senior Member

    MoCo said:
    Whenever I put important things in mine, I always put them in first, push them all the way down, seal it up, then inflate it. then double check the clip on the dry bag part. Then the important thing is smushed between the bag and the filled air chamber, as far as possible from the opening.

    I do the same and never had any issues.

    I use mine most of the time, for visibility and to store keys, flip-flops, etc.

    But I don't like having it attached to my waist. After lots of tests (attach it to my ankle, thigh, calf..., and using all kind of strings, elastic bands...) I found that the best way for me is using a string about 1 meter long, and an elastic band with a quick-adjust no-lace lock, attached right below my knee (see pic).

    If the buoy is heavy due to items inside, the elastic would loosen; then I have to switch to a velcro band.

    2016_1029_093201_071

    Kate_Alexanderswimrn62
  • IronMikeIronMike Northern VirginiaCharter Member
    edited August 2017

    Not sure if I'm just lucky or you guys have inferior products, but I've never even gotten close to getting water in mine. I have the ISHOF SaferSwimmer. It was expensive at first and I almost didn't buy it, but so glad I did. With it and a bright swim cap, I feel a lot safer in the water.

    And I've managed a lot of things in mine. I've filled mine with flip-flops, towel, cell phone, keys, t-shirt, cargo shorts, GPS. Never really felt it. Filled it, flipped the top over 3-4 times, clipped it, blew air into the bladder and went for a swim.

    Only issue I've ever had was swimming in a tailwind and the buoy coming up and wrapping around my arm. Gonna try and figure out a way to shorten the lead.

    We're all just carbon, water, starlight, oxygen and dreams

  • MoCoMoCo Worcester, MASenior Member

    I've never gotten water in mine (or lost things out of it) - I'm just paranoid. I have both the ISHOF Safer Swimmer and the New Wave Swim buoy. I like the New Wave buoy better because the waist belt is longer so it's a tad more comfortable for me and my bioprene. It's also a brighter color (more neon), and there isn't a separate cover for the inflation valve that you can break off like the ISHOF bouy.

  • ColmBreathnachColmBreathnach Charter Member

    Has anyone swam with a helium baloon? I imagine it would be a less drag and be more visible, as it would be out of the water. Or would it be too light and end up blowing all over the place?

    miklcct
  • ssthomasssthomas DenverCharter Mem​ber

    MoCo said:
    I've never gotten water in mine (or lost things out of it) - I'm just paranoid. I have both the ISHOF Safer Swimmer and the New Wave Swim buoy. I like the New Wave buoy better because the waist belt is longer so it's a tad more comfortable for me and my bioprene. It's also a brighter color (more neon), and **there isn't a separate cover for the inflation valve that you can break off like the ISHOF bouy. **

    I broke my valve cover. :-(

  • MoCoMoCo Worcester, MASenior Member

    ssthomas said:

    I broke my valve cover. :-(

    I broke the little piece of plastic that keeps the valve cover connected to the tube on the ISHOF version. :-(

    ssthomas
  • kejoycekejoyce New EnglandSenior Member

    @ColmBreathnach a couple weeks ago at Nubble Light (which required buoys) someone did attach a couple of the mylar helium balloons to his buoy... it seemed like they were too light to stay floating above the water when he was moving (just dragged with the buoy) but i think they enabled his family to find him in the sea of buoys!

    miklcct
  • curlycurly Issaquah, WASenior Member
    edited August 2017

    I will use the swim buoy when swimming alone. I also keep and eye and ear out for boats and jet skis. If they get in range, I stop and hold the swim buoy up and wave it around a little. It probably helps make me a little more visible because I've seen people alter their course after I do that.

    I put my keys and phone in a plastic zip lock bag and then put them in the buoy. Belt and suspenders...

    SoloKate_AlexanderBridget
  • ColmBreathnach said:
    Has anyone swam with a helium baloon? I imagine it would be a less drag and be more visible, as it would be out of the water. Or would it be too light and end up blowing all over the place?

    Always thought a golf flag attached to the float would work.

  • brunobruno Barcelona (Spain)Senior Member

    I just remembered these "tuned bodyboards":

    customize-swimmer-buddy-468x468

    It comes from here: http://www.swimmerbuddy.com/product/order-swimmerbuddy/

    Perhaps an overkill (unless you are in very crowded or isolated areas)? And the "low drag" feature is hard to believe, due to the high wetted surface of the board.

    If you want to be seen, for the price of this board you can get 6 or 7 towfloats. The boats will see you for sure...

  • I have one that is used for diving/snorkeling and it comes with a detachable flag.

  • Has anyone had trouble with being, for a lack of a better way of describing it, too visible with their swim buoy? I have one in which I placed a flashing bike light to help with visibility at dusk. I've used this set up four times now, and three of those times my swims have been cut short either by law enforcement stating I cannot swim where I was located (my fault), or by the Coast Guard, Harbor Patrol, and Fire Department responding to a 911 call because someone thought I must be in distress. rolls eyes I'd really like to swim in peace. Anyone have thoughts on how to simultaneously swim with visibility and without being interrupted unnecessarily?

    miklcct
  • MLambyMLamby Senior Member

    Any time I do a long swim, I contact the local officials and tell them I am doing so. I also have a kayaker that stays right beside me, and I swim very early or very late... when boat traffic will be minimal. These devices are not going to save you if you are in distress, and a large boat will not see them in time to stop from running over you. As far as I am concerned....swimming all by yourself in open water and expecting boats to see you is a bit ridiculous....like cyclists who think they don't have to abide by the regular road rules. Common sense can go a long way. When you are in the water, it is YOUR responsibility to make sure you are safe, and seen.

    Bridgetwendyv34
  • BridgetBridget New York StateMember

    I was given my floaty by friends, and it has been cool. I am also getting used to swimming alone after years of WSI/ Lifeguard indoctrination. Well, people go for walks in the woods and nobody freaks out, right? My New Wave buoy has a dry pouch which is fine in the lake, but not fully waterproof against ocean surf. My new car has an electric fob, and the service department dismantled a spare for me so I can lock with the key and keep the fob that is still intact in the car. The spare can get wet, but I put it in a pouch in the dry pouch. I have put small water bottles in the dry pouch, and crammed a sundress and money in, in case I wanted to stop for lunch on the beach away from my stuff. I have put a flashlight in the dry pouch in a zip lock, and it makes the buoy glow like a pumpkin for night swims.

    Locally, people with homes along the lake know what I'm up to- I stay along the shore, just past the ends of docks. At the ocean last weekend, I did alert the guards that I was going to do long laps- well, the state beach guards were fine with it, but I did leave that beach and cover three adjacent beaches without incident. Last year, I was caught in a bit of a rip, but kept swimming in place for about 45 minutes, was visible with the buoy, and was clearly not in distress, so I was left alone to get my time in. It was at the end of a workout, so I did eventually go to shore and walk back, drinking water and munching on something.

    I have used the closure clip to secure spare goggles, and tether a pool thermometer with a cute floating flamingo. For serious visibility and added intensity, I have towed my daughter on a floaty doughnut. Best that she keep her legs over the sides rather than dropped down in the middle. ANCHOR!

  • BridgetBridget New York StateMember

    scottish said:
    The boat traffic on the lake where I swim has been steadily increasing year over year.

    Do I need to be concerned about chafing when swimming with a float? I was checking out a lifeguard float yesterday and the strap seemed mildly abrasive.

    Normally a fresh water lake swimmer, I did a four hour ocean swim a few days ago and did not seriously chafe. I also did 2 and 3 and one hour swims with it I was a bit red, but had smeared diaper cream, and was wearing a 2 piece suit. With a one piece, no mark at all, and after noting the red, I loosened the belt and let it sag a bit so more of it was on cloth and not skin. Seemed fine. I did feel the float bump my legs and butt a few times, and it did get smeared with the white diaper cream, but that was fine. The wind is going to blow.

  • andissandiss Senior Member

    Been avoiding swim floats - but picked up a €10 one this summer - wife and local beach lifeguards are delighted as they can see me.

    SoloCopelj26
  • We have a group of OW swimmers 100+ members where we had meetings with our boating colleagues, who have agreed to extra vigilance, but who and rightly so pointed out that without Hi Vis swim caps, and tow buoys swimmers are at risk. Our main problem is jet skiers who continuously zip in and out of swim lines. Most of us use tow donuts where there is room for car keys, spare goggles and phones, I also carry a whistle in mine. A tip for tailwinds or ebbing tides is to allow a little air out of the main chamber, therefore lowering the floaty in the water, so that it does not get caught up in your stroke

    Solo
  • abbygirlroseabbygirlrose Los Angeles and Palo Alto, CASenior Member

    What is your favorite swim buoy? I will be entering a race that requires them and I have limited familiarity with my options (I have used the "new wave" buoy a little bit). My priorities are minimal drag and annoyance :)

  • wendyv34wendyv34 Vashon, WASenior Member

    Aren't they meant to be an annoyance? :D

    abbygirlrosemiklcct

    It's always a bad hair day when you work at a pool.

  • KatieBunKatieBun CornwallSenior Member

    The one I use most is my donut float. I can fit four flasks of feed in it for a self supported training swim. If I'm going A to B I'll use a 35ltre dry bag with a robe and flip flops in it, but I double the length of the leash so it doesn't get in the way.
    They're quite important where I live because we have a couple of complete muppets with power boats who like to get dangerously close to swimmers and think they're being clever.

  • curlycurly Issaquah, WASenior Member
    edited February 2019

    It would seem that you should carry a couple grenades along with your feed flasks...

    Solo
  • KatieBunKatieBun CornwallSenior Member
    edited February 2019

    @curly said:
    It would seem that you should carry a couple grenades along with your feed flasks...

    I might have to investigate that possibility, @curly :D

  • KarenTKarenT Charter Member

    @KatieBun how do you fit four in? What size?

  • abbygirlroseabbygirlrose Los Angeles and Palo Alto, CASenior Member

    Thanks for the responses! I guess I am more curious about the most minimal float I can get away with if anyone has recommendations!

  • KatieBunKatieBun CornwallSenior Member
    edited February 2019

    @KarenT said:
    @KatieBun how do you fit four in? What size?

    Karen, it takes 4 small Lifeventure screwtop flasks, each with a warm feed. It's a tight fit but they're not very tall. I have also suggested to Colin that a donut with larger capacity might be popular.

    KarenT
  • Webstem67Webstem67 Rapperswil, Switzerland Member

    The SwimSecure Tow Float is about as minimalist as they come. Just a small oval float. If your just swimming, don’t need to take anything with you and you want to be visible in the water...it does the job. So good for a 90 min swim max.

  • abbygirlroseabbygirlrose Los Angeles and Palo Alto, CASenior Member

    Ok thanks! And do you all wear the waist belt, or tow it in some other way?

  • abbygirlroseabbygirlrose Los Angeles and Palo Alto, CASenior Member

    Also wondering about ways to keep it from blowing around in wind?

    miklcct
  • KatieBunKatieBun CornwallSenior Member
    edited February 2019

    Abby, if it's breezy and the float's empty, it will blow around and buffet you. If I'm not taking feeds, I tend to put a large pot of Vaseline in mine to weight it down. I do wear the waistbelt but a longer leash, (two joined together), works better and doesn't get in the way. You can't do this with the basic float. I started off with one of those but I find the drybag and donut floats much more useful.

    miklcct
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