Tech Suits Guide

If you've been a part of the competitive swimming community for any amount of time, you've most likely heard of technical suits. As swimwear technology advances, it's essential to stay up to date with the latest racing suit trends if you want to realize your full potential in the pool. But what exactly is a tech suit, and how much do tech suits help?

This complete guide will answer your questions, such as what the best tech suit is for you is and how long tech suits last. You'll also learn about the benefits of a tech suit and what to think about when choosing one, such as sizing, style, brand, restrictions and maintenance practices.

What Is a Swimming Tech Suit?

A technical suit is a special type of high-technology bathing suit specifically designed for swim competitions to optimize athletic performance. Tech suits for males usually look similar to traditional swim jammers but are tighter around the thighs to compress the leg muscles more. Women's tech suits are created to compress the muscles by wrapping around the shoulders in addition to the legs and core to provide full-body compression.

Because they are developed for high-intensity racing, tech suits are not intended for wearing to everyday practice sessions.

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Benefits of Tech Suits

While there are numerous advantages to wearing a tech suit for competitions, here are the top three:

1. Compression

Tech suits were developed to improve athletes' blood flow while swimming by compressing their muscles. Compression enables the body's systems to flush out lactic acid and metabolic waste more quickly during hard efforts, resulting in improved performance.

Along with muscle compression, a tightly fitted tech suit makes your body more streamlined, which means you can move faster through the water. A tech suit can also help you maintain better body alignment, assisting your breathing and reducing overall fatigue. All of these factors can help increase your speed on race day.

2. Hydrodynamic

Tech suits are made from a hydrophobic material that repels water. Because the suit does not absorb water as you swim, you experience less drag and less water weight slowing you down.

Tech suits also have few seams. The seams they do have are carefully constructed to direct the flow of the water and make the suit function as close to a second layer of skin as possible.

3. Psychological Edge

Sports are largely mental games, and competitive swimming is no different. When you believe you are strong and smooth in the water, you perform at your best. A tech suit can give you the psychological upper hand by increasing your confidence and making you feel faster.

By making you feel more hydrodynamic and prepared before a big meet, a tech suit can give you the edge you need to outswim your opponents. Choose a tech suit in a unique color or style that expresses your personality to feel as confident as possible when you dive into the water.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Tech Suit

If you want to start taking advantage of all the benefits a tech suit has to offer, it's time to think about what kind of tech suit is right for you. Choosing a tech suit is a big decision, and there are a few key factors to consider when finding the right tech suit for you. Include these three steps in your tech suit decision-making process:

1. Focus on the Fit

When shopping for a new suit, swimmers have a tendency to overly rely on their typical swimsuit size. This approach may work for regular practice suits, but every technical racing suit is going to be sized a bit differently. Instead, prioritize how the suit feels over the actual number on the tag. As swimming suit technology rapidly evolves, the size and fit of different tech suits also changes, so pay more attention to a suit's structure, comfort and materials than the size.

Your comfort and range of motion in the suit is the most important component of finding the right tech suit. If the suit feels too tight in the legs or shoulders, you could be in pain throughout your race. Look for the suit that will help you swim as fast as possible rather than the most brightly colored or in-fashion suit.

2. Evaluate Brand and Style

Before choosing a tech suit, research the latest brands and styles to determine which type of tech suit is best for your swimming techniques and races. Tech suits can be made from a variety of materials that each behave differently in the water. Some fabrics allow for more stretch and flexibility while others concentrate on compression, so think about the way you move and what kind of suit would complement your movements best.

For instance, if your favorite stroke is breaststroke, look for a suit that has seams around the leg muscles that will allow for more stretch. Similarly, if you're a long-distance swimmer, don't get a suit that's designed for short sprints. There are a lot of different brands and styles of tech suits on the market, so make sure you're aware of all your options before deciding which suit to buy.

3. Think About Money Matters

High-quality tech suits are not cheap, but they are a worthwhile investment in your training and swimming success. Along with the hard work you put in at practice, a tech suit is the final step for getting you prepared to race at the highest level possible. Doing the research required to find the best brand and fit for you will make purchasing a technical suit pay off in the long run.

Although it is important to not compromise on quality when it comes to buying your tech suit, keep in mind that the most expensive tech suit is not necessarily the best. Sometimes an older model or less expensive brand can be just as effective as the latest tech suit release. Even if you are on a tighter budget, you can still find a tech suit that will fit your needs.

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How to Know Your Tech Suit Size

While fit is the most important part of purchasing a tech suit, knowing your size can be a helpful starting point. The most reliable strategy for finding your ideal tech suit fit is to choose a brand first and check out that brand's specific sizing guidelines.

After finding your size, be sure to try the suit on and get adjusted to the feel of its compression. Regardless of what the sizing chart says, try on a different size if the suit feels too tight or too loose.

Styles of Tech Suits for Men and Women

There are tech suit style variations for both men and women. Some of the differences come down to personal preference while other differences have more to do with fit and form.

Tech Suit Styles for Men

The main difference when it comes to technical suits for men is length. Most competitive male swimmers opt to wear a jammer-style tech suit, but there are shorter brief-style tech suits available. While shorter men's tech suits may be quicker to put on, longer tech suits provide more compression and water-repellence. The compression effects of a jammer can make men feel like they have a slimmer profile in the water, which can make them more hydrodynamic and faster.

Another main difference in men's tech suits is the waistline. Regular waist tech suits stop just below the top of the hips, whereas high waist tech suits cover all the way up over the hip bone. While a high waist tech suit may provide a bit more core support than a regular waist tech suit, choosing between the two mostly comes down to fit and comfort.

Tech Suit Styles for Women

Women's tech suit styles can vary in leg length as well as back structure. Tech suits for women come in the traditional, high-cut leg style or neck-to-knee coverage. A neck-to-knee tech suit is a popular choice among female swimmers because they provide a larger surface area of water-repelling material and compression technology. However, some female swimmers prefer traditional-style tech suits because they can feel less restrictive and offer a greater range of leg motion.

Women's also come in open back or closed-back styles. Open back tech suits look more like traditional swimming suits, leaving the back uncovered and exposed, whereas closed back tech suits cover the lower portion of the back with material, leaving only the shoulders exposed. Some female swimmers feel more comfortable in the familiar open back swimsuit style, but some favor the added compression that comes with a closed back tech suit.

Regardless of its style of back, a women's tech suit will have flat, wide straps to give the wearer sufficient support and control. Some tech suit straps will have elastic in them to add a bit of flexibility. Make sure you choose a tech suit with straps that are tight enough to keep the suit fitting properly, but not so tight that your movement feels constrained.

Popular Tech Suit Brands

When searching for the best tech suits, here are a few of the most popular brands to consider:

• Speedo: As one of the most famous swimwear brands in the world, Speedo upholds its reputation by producing quality tech suits. Speedo drew the inspiration for its tech suit designs by analyzing how shark skin behaves in the water to reduce drag. With maximum compression and increased flexibility, Speedo tech suits can enhance swimmers' speed, power and comfort.
• FINIS: To make their tech suits the best they can be, FINIS works alongside Olympic swimmers to test and evaluate the performance of its suits. FINIS takes the fit of its tech suits seriously and strives to make its suits lightweight enough to glide through the water while being durable enough to withstand many races. FINIS technical suits each include a single layer of panels on the inner thighs to give swimmers a greater range of motion and additional speed.
• TYR: TYR has always been a swimwear staple, and its tech suits are some of the most advanced on the market. TYR tech suits use hydrophobic material, so they repel water rather than absorb it. This ability to repel water, along with an anatomically-engineered fit and features like turbo woven fabric, help to decrease drag and increase your speed. Thanks to its innovative design, a TYR tech suit maximizes every stroke to get you to the finish line as fast as possible.
• Arena: As the leading brand choice for Olympic swimmers, Arena is a trusted swimwear provider. The tech suit material used by Arena provides enhanced compression and flexibility. By being both hydrophobic and lightweight, an Arena tech suit manages to cut down on drag while being comfortable at the same time.

No matter which swimwear brand you choose, make sure you find a tech suit that is FINA-approved. Because FINA has strict standards regarding the style, material, thickness and surface treatment of tech suits, you can have a high level of confidence in the quality of tech suits that are FINA-approved.

How to Put on a Tech Suit

Because they are designed to be extra tight, putting on a tech suit can be tricky. Here are seven tips to make putting on your tech suit a smooth process:

1. Start dry: Make sure you are completely dry before attempting to put on your tech suit and never wear any other swimsuit under your tech suit. Shaving your legs before putting on the suit will make it easier to slide it over your legs.
2. Flip up the leg grippers: Tech suits have a rubber grip at the bottom of each of the legs to help keep the suit in place. Flip these grippers up to make sliding into the suit easier.
3. Be patient: Sit down to gradually put the suit on one foot at a time. You will need to gently pull the suit up your legs very slowly without pinching it with your fingernails in order to preserve the fabric.
4. Line up the seams: After pulling the suit up evenly over both of your legs, check that all the seams of the suit match up with your body. Fix any seams that may be twisted uncomfortably around your leg.
5. Carefully stretch over the hips: Getting the tech suit over your hips is the most difficult step, especially for females. Be sure the suit is entirely over your knee caps before attempting to pull it above your hips.
6. Lightly stretch the suit over your shoulders: Once the suit is as high above your hips and buttocks as you can get it, begin to gently pull the shoulder straps up until they are properly set in place.
7. Flip the grips: Wait to flip the grips at the end of the legs until you are certain the suit is in the right place because you won't be able to readjust it after you flip them. When you're ready, flip the grips, and you'll be ready to race!

Tips for Maintaining Your Tech Suit

Once you've chosen the perfect tech suit for you, you'll want to take good care of it so it lasts for as many races as possible. From how to wash a tech suit to how to dry it, follow these six tips to keep your tech suit in pristine condition:

1. Don't overwear your tech suit: Because racing suits can start to stretch and degrade rather quickly, you will need to limit the wear and tear you put on your tech suit by not wearing it to practice. Instead of wearing it throughout the season, save your tech suit for big meets, such as the league championship meets scheduled for the end of the season.
2. Protect your suit between races: When wearing your tech suit at a meet, guard it against snags and tears by putting on pants or shorts over it when you're not racing. Additionally, avoid placing any sharp objects near your suit.
3. Remove the suit slowly: When it is time to take your tech suit off, remove it just as slowly and carefully as you put it on. Even if you're upset over a disappointing race, don't take your frustration out on your suit and risk stretching it out.
4. Rinse the suit in cold water: Rinse your tech suit out by taking a cold shower or rinsing with cold water in the sink. If you choose to shower, avoid getting any sort of soap or shampoo on the suit.
5. Don't dry your suit: Don't ever put your tech suit in the dryer. Otherwise, it can sustain permanent damage. You should also avoid using a blow dryer on it or wringing out the suit. Instead, roll the tech suit up in a towel to transport it to your home where you can allow it to air dry.
6. Don't hang up the suit: Although you should always let your tech suit air dry, you should never hang it up to do so. The weight of the suit's fabric on the hanger can cause it to stretch out. Simply lay the suit out on a towel once you get home.

New USA Swimming Tech Suit Restrictions

The final factor to keep in mind when considering a technical suit is age. As of September 1, 2020, 12-and-under swimmers have new restrictions on what types of tech suits they are permitted to wear for competition. Under these new rules, no 12-and-under athlete may wear a technical suit at an approved, sanctioned or observed swim meet.

According to USA Swimming, a technical suit features these components:

• Bonded or taped seams: No matter its material or shape, any swimsuit that has taped or bonded seams is not allowed. Tech suits use taped and bonded seam methods to better fuse seams together and increase compression.
• Woven fabric past the hip: Any swimsuit that has woven material that extends beyond the hip area falls under the tech suit ban. Regardless of what seams it has, a suit that has woven material beneath the hips is illegal.

To comply with USA Swimming regulations, look for a suit with these qualities:

• Limited woven fabric: Suits with woven materials and sewn seams that do not pass lower than the hips are permitted.
• Limited knit fabric: Likewise, suits with knit materials and sewn seams that stay above the knees are permitted.
• Stitched seams: Seams that have been stitched together with thread are compliant with USA Swimming regulations.
• No FINA logo: Suits without the FINA logo are approved for 12-and-under competitions. However, certain suits that have the FINA logo and a check mark next to it are permitted because the check mark indicates that the suit does not meet the definition of a technical suit.

Find the Right Tech Suit for You at Kiefer

If you're looking for a speedy tech suit, check out the wide variety of dependable tech suit brands offered by Kiefer. From Arena to Speedo, Kiefer has top-quality brands to help you perform your best on race day. By selecting from our large inventory of men's and women's technical suits, you can find the best fit for your size, stroke style and budget.

To find a professional-grade racing suit that will make you feel faster than ever, shop tech suits from Kiefer today.

8 of the Best Training Aids for Swimming

Swim aids are special tools and equipment that are crafted to help you learn how to swim faster and more efficiently. Some training aids are designed specifically for children and novice swimmers, while others are developed for more professional uses. Investing in high-quality, durable training aids is one of the most helpful steps you can take when trying to challenge or grow your aquatic ability. Whether you are new to swimming, teaching somone else or training hard to perfect your skills, using training aids during your lessons can help you improve your skills, master techniques and keep you safe.

Top Swimming Training Equipment

Beginning swimmers, lifeguards leading swim lessons and experienced athletes with training regimes can all benefit from incorporating the following training aids into their routine.

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1. Floats and Buoys

There are different kinds of swimming floats and buoys available for training, each one ideal for varying levels of experience and age. Two of the most common swimming tools used for training and learning are floating rings and pull buoys.

• Floating rings: There are two basic types of floating rings: safety rings used by lifeguards during emergency situations, and floating rings and rafts used by children and new swimmers to keep afloat while learning how to navigate the water.
• Pull buoys: Athletes or professional swimmers use pull buoys, weights and other swimming workout accessories to strengthen their arms and upper torso by placing the pull buoy between their thighs. The additional weight pulling their lower body encourages a swimmer to rely on and improve their upper body muscles.

2. Hand Paddles

Before diving into the water, training athletes and new swimmers can attach swim paddles to their hands and use them to glide more easily through the water. Hand paddles help increase arm strength, quicken pace and improve technique and form while in the water. When choosing a pair of hand paddles, always pay attention to the manufacturer's sizing instructions for the best results. Some different types of hand paddles include:

• Standard pulse paddles allow the wrist full range of motion and are ideal for learning freestyle techniques.
• Forearm fulcrum paddles have two separate holes for arms to slide into to help you develop muscle memory.
• Hand paddles with adjustable straps help you master different swimming strokes.

3. Swim Goggles

Swim goggles make it possible to see underwater without hurting your eyes. For new swimmers, this is a great way to feel more comfortable and less worried about full-body submersion. For experienced swimmers, goggles help you swim toward your destination quickly and with ease. When choosing a pair of swim goggles, make sure they fit securely against your head without digging into your skin. If the goggles are not secure, water will leak through. Look for a pair that has an adjustable or flexible head strap. Always test that the goggle frames are the right size for your eyes and that you have a clear visual scope of the area around you when you try them on. Some goggles also have features like UV protection, metallic lenses with reduced glare and lenses with anti-fog properties that help you swim even better.

4. Swim Fins

Swim fins — also known as swim flippers — are training fins worn on the feet to make swimming quicker and easier. They are also an excellent way to help swimmers improve their kicking techniques. Many swimmers find that swimming with fins is more fun, and studies have shown swimming with fins takes approximately 40% less energy than swimming without them. Less spent energy allows swimmers to spend longer training because their muscles do not tire as quickly.

5. Snorkels

Snorkels are for more than exploring coral reefs on a vacation adventure — they are also some of the best swimming tools for training. Using a snorkel increases lung capacity and helps you stay underwater longer. Because they provide easy access to oxygen when you need it, they also free up the mental space you need to focus on mastering a new technique or formation, including keeping your head in the correct position.

There are different types of swim snorkels available, including:

• Speed snorkels with minimal head straps
• Dry-capped swim snorkels
• Junior snorkels for kids

6. Earplugs

Earplugs are not necessarily a piece of swimming training gear, but they are immensely useful for novice and experienced swimmers because they minimize the risk of developing swimmer's ear. Swimmer's ear is an infection of the ear canal caused by bacterial growth that happens naturally when water becomes trapped in your ear. Swimmer's ear can be painful and cause temporary hearing loss. Severe cases could grow into a more permanent injury. Soft silicone earplugs can help seal your ear canal and prevent too much water from getting inside.

7. Kickboards

Swimmers can grip floating kickboards while they swim and practice their kicking techniques and leg positioning. Both adults and children who are unsure of how to use their legs to propel themselves while swimming can benefit from the use of a kickboard. There are different types of kickboards available for adults and children. For example, you might consider one of the following:

• A kickboard with handgrips so it is easier to hold on while paddling
• An inflatable kickboard for easy storage and portability
• A convex kickboard with a unique shape designed as swimming strength training equipment for athletes

8. Pool Noodles

Pool noodles are lightweight and constructed from closed cell polyethylene foam, which makes them very flexible. Kids enjoy swimming with them for this reason, and that is why many pool noodles are available in bright colors. However, they are more than just a fun, floating swim toy for kids — pool noodles can also be a valuable swimming float for training. By holding on to a pool noodle while swimming, you can easily keep yourself afloat while practicing flutter kicks and developing your strength and resistance techniques.

Become the Swimmer You Want to Be With Equipment From Kiefer

No matter your experience, Kiefer has the training aids you need to become a better swimmer. Visit us online today to browse our selection of swim tools, swimwear, lifeguard gear and facility equipment.

The Kiefer Safer Swimmer Open Water Swim Buoy is a vital training and safety device for anyone who enjoys swimming in open water or triathlons.

3 Main Benefits Of Swimming With Safer Swimmer

1. Excellent Swimmer Visibility

The Dayglo Orange Safer Swimmer buoy raises your profile to others, making you more visible to boaters, jetskiers, and anyone else who could use a reminder that open water swimmers are in the surrounding waters.

2. Helpful Swimming Flotation

Safer Swimmer provides flotation as needed. This is especially handy for taking a break from a long swim, working through swim cramps, fatigue, dizziness, and any other swimming injury or malady.

Although Safer Swimmer isn't a rescue device, it could be used to offer reassurance, or even to assist the rescue of a distressed or less-confident swimmer.

To serve as a resting aid or makeshift rescue device, the Safer Swimmer is outfitted with a blue handle to provide a secure and confident grip.

3. Dry Storage

Don't worry about leaving your valuables and gear behind on the beach, Safer Swimmer's dry pocket allows you to keep them safely within reach during your swim.

Why Safer Swimmer Is Great For Open Water Swimming

No more hiding your car keys and wallet!

Because Safer Swimmer has a dry pocket, you can safely take your gear with you and avoid having to worry about hiding your wallet and keys on shore while you put in a long swim.

It's perfect for point to point swimming!

Point to point swimming adds a refreshing dimension to longer swims, removing the need for the same old 'out and back' workout.  The ability to transport shoes during your distance swimming makes point to point swim training less painful, since you can keep a dry pair of shoes in your Safer Swimmer for a pleasurable return run (or walk) to your starting point. No more barefoot walk of shame!

Packing shoes is particularly handy for me during 70.3 Ironman training, since my neighboring Silver Lake in Wisconsin is almost exactly 1.2 miles across. After my one way swim, I bust out my shoes, deflate and roll up my Safer Swimmer for easy carrying, and run back to my car in comfort and style (running in a jammer isn't so bad).

Safer Swimmer is great for group swims.

Group swimming is a great way to add more fun to open water swim training.

Safer Swimmer allows coaches or swim leaders to pack things that swimmers and triathletes may lose or need during a swim (extra goggles, extra swim cap, Gu or other nutritionals, and hydration).

Because Safer Swimmer is so easy to see, it's a great way to keep visual tabs on swimmers within your group, especially during wavy conditions.

How Does Safer Swimmer Look / Work In The Water?

It looks great and is extremely high- visibility. It's buoyancy and lightweight body make appear to make it float on the surface of the water.

Check out this Safer Swimmer Video I made (please pardon the shaky-cam).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf_cE7u5NJU

Frequently Asked Questions For Skeptics

I understand skepticism. Why do you want to complicate your life with another worldly device? Trust me, if you're swimming in open water, for any reason, you need Safer Swimmer.

Is Safer Swimmer cumbersome or annoying to use?

No, it isn't. Stacey Kiefer and I have tested Safer Swimmer and continue to use it for open water and triathlon swim training. The Safer Swimmer belt attaches quickly and easily around a swimmer's waist, allowing one to effortlessly tow a lightweight, yet resilient swim buoy behind them during training.

Won't Safer Swimmer interfere with my stroke or kicking?

Absolutely not. The buoy leash length can be tailored to precisely place Safer Swimmer between your butt and your feet, allowing you to kick without contacting the buoy.

I'm a Triathlete; why do I need "open water" swim gear?

Unless you rock indoor triathlons exclusively (hopefully not), training for the swim leg of a triathlon is open water swimming! Also, you can float your precious waterproof Garmin on Safer Swimmer and be far more likely to take accurate GPS readings! Looking for more advice to help your open water swimming and triathlon training?

Check out these articles:

• 10 Quick Tips For Swim Sighting
• Open Water Swim Training Safety

Let me know how your training goes- and about any tips and tricks that work for you.

See you at the pool (and lake, ocean, river, puddle),

-Robin Spencer Kiefer

Learn More About Open Water Swimming:

• Open Water Swim Training Safety
• Open Water Swimming Safety Tips For Everyone
• Why We Love Open Water Swimming

Looking for lifeguard whistles? Get advice and interesting facts about how to select the perfect whistle. Here’s your first big decision-

Choosing Pea Whistles Vs. Pealess

Lifeguard whistles can be categorized into two main types: pea whistles or peal.

Pea Whistles

Pea whistles contain a small ball or “pea”. Air pressure and currents passing through the whistle chamber cause the pea to vibrate in a patterned motion and produce a high-pitched trill or vibrato that’s hard to ignore.

The pea whistles was invented by Londoner Joseph Hudson in 1883. Hudson’s creation was submitted as to the Metropolitan police in a contest to design a device that would attract the most attention. Hudson won the contest and his creation, later called the “Acme Thunderer” is still one of the most popular whistles.

Pea Whistle Pros:

• The unmistakable trill produced by a pea whistle grabs your attention and is very commanding.
• Pea whistles are generally less costly.

Pea Whistle Cons:

Pea whistles have more moving parts, drawing criticism that they may be more difficult to clean and can fail due to jamming.

Pealess Whistles

Although once known as a less effective solution that predated pea whistles, the pealess variety experienced a resurgence in popularity due to the introduction of Ron Foxcroft’s Fox 40 whistle in 1985. Introduced as a more reliable and more hygienic alternative, Fox 40 whistles led the way for other new pealess whistles.

Pealess Whistle Pros:

• They have less moving parts, so and are less prone to failure and are easier to clean.
• Water drains easily from the sound chamber.

Pealess Whistle Cons:

They tend to be more expensive. Having trouble deciding? Get the best of both worlds- the Kiefer Tri-Power Safety Whistle uses both pea and pealess chambers.

Choosing Metal Whistles Vs. Plastic Whistles

Ultimately this comes down to personal choice, but here are some of the big differences between metal and plastic whistles:

Pro Plastic:

• Plastic floats, metal does not.
• Metal corrodes after prolonged exposure to chlorine and salt.
• Metal whistles can heat up in the sun- ouch!

Pro Metal:

Metal whistles are stronger than most plastic whistles.

What metal whistles does Kiefer carry?

Kiefer carries two different metal whistles, the Acme Thunderer and the Kiefer Deluxe. Both metal options are pea whistles. If you want a metal whistle, the Kiefer Deluxe is the way to go because it is less expensive than the Acme version inspired its design.

What Plastic whistles does Kiefer carry?

Kiefer carries seven plastic whistles.

Kiefer Brand

• Kiefer Pealess Whistle: offers a lower price option for those unwilling to pay a premium price for Acme and Fox whistles.
• Kiefer’s Tri-Power Safety Whistle: a superior, three-chambered whistle, louder than Metallica and covered by a Lifetime Guarantee.
• Kiefer Ecoguard:  economical and red plastic lifeguard whistle with a non-degradable cork

Fox 40 and Acme Plastic Whistles

Both Fox 40 and Acme Thunderer offer pealess whistles available in large and compact designs. Fox 40 & Mini Fox 40 deliver loud, shrill tones and feature self-clearing chambers. Acme Tornado 2000 bills itself as the world's most powerful lifeguard whistle at 122 decibels. It’s smaller relative, the Acme Slimline Tornado Whistle delivers analogous performance in a more compact package.

Whistle Lanyards

Whistle lanyards are a must to keep whistles handy and prevent loss. Breakaway lanyards are a bonus, preventing flailing patients from choking and injuring lifeguards, giving way to fdsorce when grabbed or tugged, instead of collaring the lifeguard. Wristband lanyards allow lifeguards to wear whistles (or keys) on the wrist instead of around the neck.

Looking for more advice on water safety?

Be sure to read our posts on Rescue Tube History, Rescue Can History, and my Accidental Lifeguards story.

See you at the pool- Robin

Get Ready To Swim

As winter begins to fade from the rear view mirror and temperatures begin to rise, swimmers, lifeguards, and outdoor enthusiasts begin to make their plans for another season of blissful summer fun.

Make sure you make the most of forthcoming warm weather by taking the proper precautions, whether you are swimming, sunbathing, or just hanging out in hot weather.

Limiting Heat & Sun Exposure

Skin Cancer

One in every five Americans develops skin cancer during their lifetime. Skin cancer's most preventable cause is exposure to ultraviolet radiation found in the normal spectrum of sunlight. Ultraviolet radiation causes sunburn, premature aging of the skin, and skin cancer.

Preventing Skin Cancer

To minimize exposure to UV light and reduce your risk of developing skin cancer:

• Seek shade whenever possible, especially during midday.
• Reduce exposure to the sun by choosing clothes that cover arms and legs.
• Wear wide brim hats to shade your head and neck.
• Wear sunscreen with a minimum 5 SPF.

Overheating & Heat Stroke

Overexposure to heat can lead to overheating and heat stroke. Higher humidity reduces the body's ability to dispel heat through evaporation. Heat illnesses can be very serious, and can ultimately lead to dehydration, confusion, and even death in extreme cases.

Preventing Heat Illness

The chances of developing heat illness can be reduced by taking the following precautions:

• Wear loose clothing made from lightweight materials to allow bodily ventilation and perspiration.
• Avoid strenuous exercise during hotter daylight hours.
• Wear light colored clothing to reflect light, as darker fabric easily absorbs heat without reflecting it away from the body.
• Drink plenty of fluids.

The Tools Of The Trade:

• Water Shirts: help block the sun and fit closely to allow freedom of movement in the water.
• Tech shirts: technical fabrics wick away moisture and ventilate easily to cool the body.

Nutrition

Remember to eat properly and drink plenty of water during the warmer months.

Improper nutrition can cause exhaustion, dizziness, and cramping.

Take the time to fuel your body before starting your activities - and bring snacks and water to keep the good times rolling.

Staying Safe In The Water

An average of ten people die from unintentional drowning every day. Every fifth drowning claims the life of a child aged 14 or younger.

Follow these tips to help stay safe in the water:

• Keep Watch: Pay close attention to children or less confident swimmers when in or around water, remaining within reach at all times.
• Swim With A Friend: Use the buddy system by making sure to swim with a partner.
• Lifeguards: Whenever possible, choose swimming areas that are under lifeguard supervision.
• Life Jackets: Don't use a toy in place of a life jacket. Rafts, water wings, and noodles aren't designed for safety!
• Drinking Alcohol: Don't drink alcohol while swimming or supervising other swimmers.

Learn To Swim!

Adults and children alike should have formal swimming lessons to provide added protection from drowning. Never substitute swim lessons for supervision. But remember, all young and less confident swimmers should be closely supervised even if they know how to swim.

As our founder Adolph Kiefer would say:

"Let's Keep 'Em Swimming."

Backstroke Flags Explained

Swim Flags are essential pool equipment, recommended for aquatics programs hosting swim practices, lap swimming, or swim meets. They are useful for swimmers, coaches, and aquatics directors. Read on to learn what you need to know.

How Swimmers Use Swimming Flags

Generally speaking, pool flags alert swimmers to their whereabouts in the pool. Additionally, flags have specific uses important to athlete practice and competition:

Perfecting Backstroke Turns & Finishes

• Stroke Count Analysis: Perfecting flip turns and finishes requires swimmers to determine their stroke count, calculating how many strokes it takes to swim from swim flags to pool wall. For an accurate count, I recommend starting from the 15 meter mark, reaching your stroke cadence, and then beginning your count from the flagline.
• Perfecting Backstroke Turns & Finishes: Once a swimmer determines their flag to wall stroke count, they can work to perfect finishes and turns. When teaching turns, I recommend that swimmers with a 4 stroke finish count use a 3 stroke turn count. Starting at the flags, count 1-2-3, roll, and pull yourself into a flip turn. That last stroke is crucial to maintaining momentum, so don't let if fall lifelessly to your side. Grab water and push it down to your toes, propelling you into your turn.

Lane Number Orientation

Many programs choose to add lane numbers to flags, streamlining competition by allowing swimmers to double check lane assignments from the starting blocks.

What Aquatic Centers Should Know About Swimming Flags

Flag Location and Anchoring

[caption id="attachment_849" align="alignleft" width="165"] Pool Flag Stanchion[/caption]

Backstroke flags are usually strung between stanchions, sturdy metal posts anchored to the pool deck using slip anchors. Whether swimmers are using short course yard pools or long course meter pools, they rely on colorful swim flags to determine their distance from the lane end wall. Flag lines are less commonly anchored directly to facility walls, usually in cases where tying to stanchions isn't possible.

Flags and pool stanchions are stationed 5 meters (in the case of long and short course meters courses) or 5 yards (in the case of short course yards courses) away from end of course, to create a standard for swimmers using stroke counts to optimize turns, perfect race finishes, and avoid ramming into the pool wall!

Sliding stanchion collars can be added to quickly and easily change the height of pool flags.

Pool Flag Options

[caption id="attachment_850" align="alignleft" width="165"] Vinyl Swimming Pool Flags[/caption]

Backstroke flags are offered in a choice of materials. Flag material selection is based on the needs of the program, and whether your pool is indoor or outdoor.

For Indoor Pools Only: Vinyl and Plastic Flags

Kiefer’s Vinyl or Plastic Pool Flags are sturdy, durable, and recommended for indoor pools. Plastic flags are pre-strung in 45 foot or 100 foot lengths. Vinyl flags offer a cleaner look and can be customized to specific dimensions / aesthetics of your pool, and can be personalized with logos, team name, and lane numbers.

For Both Outdoor and Indoor Pools: Nylon Flags

Kiefer also offers Nylon Backstroke Flags, made from heavy-duty woven nylon pennants pre-strung in 45 foot lengths, and are used for both indoor or outdoor facilities.

Don't Forget Recall Stanchions

When adding flags, keep in mind that competitive swimming programs require more than just swimming flags and backstroke stanchions. To host competitions, you will also need recall stanchions. Recall stanchions allow meet officials to easily drop a false start line, alerting swimmers of a false start and sending them back to the wall for restart.

Lane Ropes and 15M Markers

Kiefer likes to help! You may also like our posts on Restringing Racing Lanes and our explanation of the 15M resurfacing marker.

Thanks,

Emily

Do you have any other questions or creative uses for swimming flags? Please share your comments!

Let's Face It!

When heading out for a swim at the pool or beach, lifesaving is probably not on your mind. You're most likely thinking about your swim workout, your next race, or perhaps most importantly: cooling off and having fun in the water. The most common safety concern on the minds of others I swim with seems to focused on sun exposure ("Wear your sunscreen or you'll get a sunburn!").

Even if you are confident in your own ability, please be aware of this sobering fact: there are plenty of non-swimmers out there, and you might have to save a life when you least expect it.

A Little Bit About Me

I'm not a great swimmer. I never brag about my swimming - and for good reason. My grandfather, Adolph Kiefer, is an Olympic Champion backstroker. My father and uncle were both college swimmers and high school state champions. My wife Stacey swam through college and continues to post top times in Chicago area triathlons. Despite all this and having immediate access to the greatest swim gear in existence, I'm still slow.

But I'm a good enough swimmer to save a life - and I learned this by accident.

Accidental Lifeguard

Stacey and I had spent a "quiet" Fourth of July mountain biking in Kettle Moraine State Forest, in southeastern Wisconsin. As we were heading home, we decided to stop at one of her favorite Lake Michigan swimming spots, a secluded beach in Racine, Wisconsin, for a quick open water swim. We parked, scrambled down a steep bluff, and estimated the water temperature with our feet. Braving Lake Michigan water temperatures in early July may not sound challenging, but let me tell you - it can be brutally uncomfortable. Even on days when winds haven't blown more comfortable water temperatures far out from land, swimming can be quite a test of one's pain tolerance.

And on that day, Fourth of July 2003, the water was very cold. We decided to cancel our swim and head back to our car. It was at this point that I heard something- a faint noise from offshore. We stopped and listened, and before long, the sound repeated. Still faint, but unmistakable, someone was calling for help.

I scanned the horizon and saw a tiny orange kayak out in the lake, quite some distance from shore. "Help me!", called the voice, and at this point I was able to see an arm waving above the kayak, beckoning for assistance. Without hesitation, we entered the water and began to swim towards the boat.

Swimming In Cold Water - Swim Fast!

When confronting cold water, Stacey has always been a proponent of swimming rapidly to overcome the initial shock - and this technique seems to work well. I've never been able to figure out if this is a distraction technique or a true acclimatization tactic, but it works. Perhaps the best distraction from the discomfort was a thought that occurred to me as we covered the near 1/4 mile distance of open water: what would we do when we reached the kayak?

This question was soon answered for us - with no rescue tubes, rescue cans, or water rescue equipment of any kind - we had only one course of action - to tow the capsized kayak with its exhausted, hypothermic pilot to safety. This wasn't easy, but both of us were able to swim the considerable weight back to shore.

Here's To The Lifeguards - Here's To The Swimmers

Lifeguarding is a difficult job that requires great skill and responsibility. It isn't an accidental role and requires full concentration because guards have to constantly scan for (and be completely aware of) potential danger and life-threatening situations.

However, when no lifeguards are on duty, the situation may only involve swimmers.

So think about it swimmers. Strive to sharpen your awareness and maintain your abilities - because the world needs more accidental lifeguards.

Without  lifeguards, I wouldn't be alive today - but that's a story for another day.

Be safe out there,

Robin Spencer Kiefer

P.S. Check out our recent post on open water swim safety tips!

Summer has finally arrived - my favorite time of year to swim.

[caption id="attachment_251" align="alignleft" width="165"] Looking for open water? Be Safe![/caption]

On the Wisconsin / Illinois state line, the heat of the summer causes water in all lakes great and small to warm to sanely swimmable temperatures, marking the beginning of my open water swim training.

Although summer is here, Lake Michigan can be frigid enough to prevent me from swimming (even with a wetsuit), so I often choose smaller (warmer) lakes for my distance swimming workouts, allowing me to enjoy open water without neoprene insulation.

But despite my anxiousness to dive in and immerse myself in mother nature, there's one thing that I never avoid - being safe. Open water swim safety requires additional precautions and considerations (as if swimming wasn't hard enough already!).

Here are quick swim safety tips to consider for your next open water swim:

• Swim in a group: Bring a buddy to your lake swim. There's safety in numbers and swimming in groups adds safety. Larger groups of swimmers are easily seen from shore and are more readily recognized by boats. Group swims also lend confidence and reassurance to less confident swimmers. Remember to stay in group formation once you've started - live large and keep the pack together. Swimming in packs also helps prepare swimmers for the rather intense triathlon swim starts.
• Mark your shoreline: If you are swimming in an area that isn't familiar or easily discernible from the water, mark your starting point. Marking your start helps you sight your swim and provides reassurance to new open water swimmers. Marking the swim start also helps members of the group who are planning a shorter swim (and may want to turn around before you!).
• Swim close to the shore: Consider your distance from shore. Less experienced swimmers should keep closer to shore, safety permitting. If it is not safe to swim near the shore, you may want to consider another site for your training.
• Keep your vision clear: Wear swim goggles or swim masks that have been treated with anti-fog coating and have polarized lenses. I'm partial to Kiefer brand gear, but the Kiefer Visionspex Swim Goggles are an excellent choice for open water training and racing, and have both polarized lenses and anti-fog treatment.
• Keep a high profile: Take every opportunity to make you and your group easier to see. Be sure to pick a bright neon swim cap so boats notice you sooner than later. Also, our neon orange Kiefer Safer Swimmer open water swim buoy boosts visibility for swimmers.
• Time your swim: Less experienced open water swimmers should be aware of the duration of their swim, and should bring a waterproof watch for timing. Timing swims allows swimmers to conclude their swim after an appropriate duration. Losing track of time during a swim can could cause exhaustion or hypothermia if a reasonable duration hasn't been observed.
• Take a break and look around: Take breaks to get your bearings, noting locations of other swimmers, your swim start, and boat traffic. Stray swimmers should be collected and brought back to the group.
• Consider a guide boat: Some bodies of water have heavy boat traffic. Swimming with a guide boat adds visibility, giving jet skis and motor boats more reason to steer clear of your swim route.

Know any other important swim safety tips to keep swimmers safe during their open water swim training? I'd love to get your comments.

Learn More About Open Water Swimming:

• Safer Swimmer Open Water Swimming Buoy
• Open Water Swimming Safety Tips For Everyone
• Why We Love Open Water Swimming