Swim safer in open water: why hi-vis gear matters

Open water is unpredictable—powerful, changeable and beautifully wild. But the freedom of outdoor swimming comes with hazards, so we all have to learn how to mitigate the risks.

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We chatted with the open water experts at Orca about the one open water swimming safety tip many outdoor swimmers underestimate: being highly visible.

Think swim safety

When we talk about open water swimming safety, we usually zoom in on ourselves: what swim safety equipment do we need, how do we stay warm, how do we protect our ears and eyes, and what’s our plan if something goes wrong?

All of that matters, but it can omit a key point—other water users may not see you until it’s too late.

Visibility is one of the most important safety factors in open water swimming. However, it’s the one you might neglect, especially when choosing your wetsuit—because your wetsuit is for warmth and buoyancy, right?

But in open water, a bright colour swim hat isn’t enough. High visibility panels on your wetsuit can help you to be seen from any angle—from the shoreline, a lifeguard tower, or a moving craft. And that can make the difference between a near miss and a serious incident.

Be seen: a simple check

Look at the image above. There are two swimmers in both photos—how quickly did you spot the second swimmer in the top picture?

It can be surprising to learn just how much a swimmer can blend into the water. Research suggests that solid blocks of neon colour are most visible in the sea. Blues, greys, whites and darker colours performed poorly—as do busy patterns. This is because open water reflects the sky, and surface movement distorts what we can see.

Have another look at the image. Look at how much more the swimmers in the Orca Vitalis Hi-Vis Openwater Wetsuit stand out than the swimmer in the black wetsuit—you can even see the blocks of neon orange underneath the water.

The RNLI shares information about how important it is to be visible here.

Hi-vis in open water: prevent problems

High-visibility gear helps lifeguards and rescuers locate you faster if you get into difficulty. Just as importantly, it reduces the chances of an incident happening in the first place because other water users can spot you sooner and give you space.

A significant risk in open water comes from water users who are bigger, harder and faster than you: paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, gigs, sailing boats, jet skis, and motorboats. Even in familiar waters, traffic can change quickly, and a low-profile swimmer can be easy to miss.

That’s why it’s worth building visibility into your setup, not treating it as an optional extra. Aim for as much high-visibility swim gear as practical:

• A bright, easy-to-spot swim hat
• A tow float (ideally in a neon colour)
• Hi-vis swimwear and/or a wetsuit with bright panels
• A waterproof LED safety light in low light or poor visibility

You might already use a neon swim hat and tow float, but a hi-vis wetsuit makes your arms and torso easier to track from a distance, especially when you’re swimming front crawl.

The high-visibility panels help you to be seen from any angle, while added buoyancy supports your natural position in the water. Built with high-quality neoprene, it offers the freedom to move without restriction. 

Swim with confidence, even when conditions get tough. 

High visibility and so much more

We love Orca’s Hi-Vis wetsuits – and not just because they make us so visible.

 Zeal Hi-Vis: The Zeal Hi-Vis combines visibility, buoyancy and elasticity. It’s the ideal wetsuit for open water swimmers who face the harshest conditions. The arms, legs and back feature high-visibility orange for peace of mind. The buoyancy of Aerodome 2 technology will help you feel safer on your open water adventures. For increased comfort and better sealing, a second layer of “Batwing” neoprene is included, an extra layer of neoprene in the back that acts as a thermal barrier, reducing contact between the cold water and your skin.

Vitalis Hi-Vis: The Openwater Vitalis Hi-Vis is specifically designed for swimming and training in open water safely and with maximum visibility, thanks to its orange panels which stand out against the colour of the sea. It also provides the comfort you need, maintaining an ideal body temperature without affecting your movements.

Click here for the Orca Open Water range.