Staying Safe Around Water: The Best Swimsuit Colors for Kids

Summer means pool days, lake trips, beach vacations, and plenty of fun in the water. But when shopping for your child’s swimsuit this season, there’s one detail parents often overlook that could make a major difference in an emergency: swimsuit color visibility underwater.

Believe it or not, the color of your child’s swimsuit can help adults spot them faster in the water!  That visibility could save their life.

Why Swimsuit Color Matters

Drowning is often very different from what people see in movies or television. It is usually quick and silent. Children who are struggling in the water typically are not splashing, waving, or yelling for help. Many simply bob at the surface while trying to breathe.

In some cases, certain swimsuit colors can blend into the water and become almost impossible to see. Blues, greens, whites, and pastel shades may disappear underwater or resemble reflections, leaves, shadows, or pool debris.

That’s why experts recommend choosing swimsuit colors that stand out clearly both at the surface and underwater.

The Best Swimsuit Colors for Visibility

Alive Solutions, an aquatic safety and risk assessment company, tested 14 different swimsuit colors in swimming pools and lakes to determine which colors were easiest to spot.

The results were eye-opening.

Most Visible Swimsuit Colors

Bright, neon colors consistently performed best, including:

• Neon orange
• Bright yellow
• Neon green

These colors remained visible underwater and were easier to identify quickly from a distance.

Colors That Were Hardest to See

Some popular swimsuit colors nearly disappeared in the water, including:

• Light blue
• Dark blue
• White
• Gray
• Green tones

The biggest concerns were white and light blue swimsuits, especially in pools and lakes where they blended into reflections or the surrounding water.

What the Testing Showed

The visibility tests revealed important differences between pools and natural bodies of water:

In Lakes

• White often looked like sunlight reflections or clouds on the surface.
• Blues and greens blended almost completely into the water.
• Neon colors stood out the best from both shore-level and elevated views.

In Pools

• Dark swimsuit colors disappeared quickly in pools with dark bottoms.
• Bright neon colors remained easier to spot underwater.
• Neon pink worked well in pools but was less visible in lakes.

While swimsuit color alone cannot prevent drowning, choosing bright, highly visible colors can provide an extra layer of safety.

Water Safety Is About More Than Swimsuit Color

Even the brightest swimsuit cannot replace active supervision and proper water safety habits. The most important thing parents and caregivers can do is stay alert and attentive anytime children are near water.

Top Water Safety Tips for Families

• Always Watch Children Closely

Never leave a child unattended in or near water. Young children can drown in as little as one inch of water.

Keep young children within arm’s reach and avoid distractions like phones, conversations, or reading while supervising.

Consider assigning a “designated water watcher” during pool parties or gatherings so one adult is always actively monitoring the water.

• Teach Children How to Swim

Swimming lessons are one of the best ways to help children become safer and more confident around water.

Children over age 4 can begin learning swimming basics like floating, treading water, and basic strokes. Younger children can start building comfort and learning water safety skills early.

• Install Proper Pool Fencing

Home pools should be surrounded on all sides by a fence at least four feet tall with self-closing and self-latching gates.

Pool barriers can significantly reduce the risk of accidental drowning.

• Learn CPR and Basic Rescue Skills

Parents and caregivers should know CPR and basic water rescue techniques. In an emergency, knowing how to respond quickly and safely can make a critical difference.

A Small Choice That Can Make a Big Difference

When choosing swimsuits this summer, think beyond favorite characters and trendy colors. Bright, high-visibility swimsuits can help children stand out in the water and give adults valuable extra seconds in an emergency.

Combined with close supervision, swimming lessons, and smart water safety habits, that small decision can help keep summer safer for everyone.

Stay safe, stay alert, and enjoy the water this season!

For questions, to book an appointment, or any other concerns, Augusta Pediatrics can be reached at (706) 868-0389. The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only.