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Safety around water involves a lot of common sense. Generally, the last place you'd expect to find common sense is in a viral TikTok video. However, that's exactly what you get from Nikki Scarnati, a certified Infant Swimming Resource swim instructor. In her brief video, she demonstrates the dangers of placing your child in a blue bathing suit. As a responsible parent, then, what colors are safest for your child?
Hollywood has a way of changing things up so they appear more dramatic on screen. But Hollywood isn't reality — it's fiction, and it's done for a greater storytelling impact. However, many people believe the fiction because they see that more than the reality. For instance, when someone is drowning, they aren't throwing their hands up in the air and clamoring for attention and yelling for help. Instead, they are silent.
The Mayo Clinic
What this means, sadly, is that most often, the way you identify a drowning victim is by seeing a motionless body underwater. The lack of water clarity or the camouflage nature of their bathing suit can mean you don't even notice a drowning victim — even when it's happening just a few feet away. This is why it's important never to let your child out of your sight for any length of time when you're in or around water.
In nature, camouflage allows animals to blend in with their environment so they can hide in plain sight. For some creatures, this is how they survive; it keeps them from being seen. Choosing the wrong color bathing suit for your child accomplishes exactly the same thing — it makes it harder for your child to be seen. This is the opposite of what a parent wants.
While performance varied depending on the environment and conditions, in general, the company found that bright and contrasting colors were the easiest to see. It's important to point out that bright does not mean light, as neon colors tend to stand out, while white and light blue become virtually invisible in water. Also, contrast is in relation to the environment — the more the suit clashes with the color of the pool, the better.
Kanu Surf Boys' Platinum Rashguard
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Kanu Surf Girls' Keri Rashguard
The girls' Kanu Surf rashguard options also have a UPF 50+ rating. They're available in sizes 2 through 16 and feature a comfortable fit. The best color options are bright pink, bright yellow and bright orange.
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Estamico Boys Short-Sleeve Rashguard Shirt
This simple boys' swim T-shirt has short sleeves. The material is quick-drying and offers a slim fit. Like other rashguard shirts, it has a UPF 50 rating. The best color options for visibility are fluorescent green, rose, solid orange and bright yellow.
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Shekini Girls Print Bathing Suit
The Shekini is a basic, one-color girls' swimsuit
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Lands' End Boys Long-Sleeve Rashguard
This rashguard is another solid option to help keep your child safe. The best color to get is electric yellow neon. It has long sleeves, UPF 50 and is machine-washable. The moisture-wicking fabric helps prevent chafing, and it's designed to hold up to chlorine.
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iXtreme Infant/Toddler Boys' Rashguard Shirt
If you have an infant or toddler, this rashguard is available in sizes 12 months to 4T. The green acid and orange colors offer the best water visibility. The skin-friendly fabric is made of 90% polyester and 10% Spandex and has a pull-on closure.
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Cheryl Creations Kids One-Piece Swimsuit
While most of the colors this one-piece comes in are not ideal for visibility, there's a neon green option suitable for darker pools and lakes. The soft and stretchy material provides a comfortable fit, and it comes in sizes 7 through 16.
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The electric yellow neon and green gecko neon are the best colors to get in this boys' swimsuit. They have a 7-inch inseam, an elastic waistband and a drawstring closure for fit and comfort. These swim trunks are best when worn with a high-visibility rash guard.
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